INDIANAPOLIS — On Monday Aug. 12, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett revealed his 2025 budget proposal for the city during an explosive City-County Council meeting.
The proposed budget comes in at $1.6 billion, about $90 million more than in 2024. It contains no new taxes and is the city’s eighth consecutive balanced budget.
It includes investment into public safety, infrastructure, anti-violence efforts, traffic safety and quality of life.
The budget also comes as federal COVID-relief dollars are running out and union labor contracts are being negotiated across the board, which means tighter spending.
“I would suggest that we have no intention of slowing down, but our 2025 spending plans are about more than keeping up with what we’ve been doing. This coming year is going to be about supporting the people who got us here in the first place,” Hogsett said during his address.
Contracts up for negotiations include firefighters, police officers, sheriff deputies, AFSCME members and public defenders.
“I want to offer you all more than just a verbal note of appreciation. We’re going to be signing new contracts with nearly all our employee unions this year to give them not just the equipment resources and support they deserve, but the pay increases and benefits that their families deserve,” Hogsett said.
IMPD continues to receive the largest chunk of the budget with nearly $338 million, which is about a 4% increase compared to 2024’s budget.
The amount would help fund technology investments, a strategic wellness center, professional staff support positions, expedite DNA casework and replace vehicles every six years.
The 2025 budget will continue to fully-fund 1,743 officers and three recruitment classes a year.
“Our goal is simple: make IMPD the best trained and preeminent police force in the entire country,” Hogsett told the council.
Funding for the Office of Public Health and Safety will continue to fund its clinician-led response team downtown and on the east side 24/7.
In the proposed budget, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office would see a 9% jump in its funding. Some of that money would help pay for damage repairs at the Community Justice Center and radio upgrades in the jail.
The Indianapolis Fire Department is set to receive $258 million. The department will now solely be responsible for its arson unit, which previously worked with IMPD.
The Department of Public Works received the largest increase in funding with $246 million. The department also updated its five-year capital infrastructure plan to help with transportation and stormwater improvements, with 30% of the money going toward pedestrian improvements.
Indy DPW’s budget also allows for a Vision Zero administrator and a traffic supervisor, along with expanding a dedicated trail maintenance team.
“We need to keep up this work until no one – regardless of whether you’re driving, biking or walking in our streets – no one loses a family member or neighbor to preventable traffic crashes,” Hogsett said.
The new budget will make Indianapolis Animal Care Services an independent agency by breaking it off from the Department of Businesses and Neighborhood Services. Its first-year budget is $8.2 million. Its new care center is on track to be completed in early 2026.
The proposed budget now heads to several committees for review. The council will hold a public hearing on the budget Sept. 23 and a final vote on Oct. 7.
Republican City-County Council caucus response
"We look forward to working with the mayor and council Democrats to craft a budget that spends within our means and prioritizes the duties of local government. Throughout this budget process, we will be focused on making sure public safety, infrastructure, economic development, and vital quality of life projects are being appropriately funded."
EARLIER STORY:
On Aug. 12, Hogsett revealed his 2025 budget proposal for the city. He's expected to pitch the budget at 7 p.m. during a potentially explosive City-County Council meeting Monday night.
It comes in at $1.6 billion, about $90 million more than in 2024.
Here's where that money would go:
- $654 million for public safety
- $337 million for criminal justice
- $119 million for executive, legislative and administrative services
- $111 million for debt obligations
- $426 million for everything else
The budget will need to make its way through the council's various committees before being approved.
Here is what is inside those big topline numbers:
The budget for Indy Parks is increasing by about $8 million, primarily for buying new property and equipment. There is also money budgeted to improve safety at parks with a safety ambassador program.
DPW's budget would be $246 million, down about $20 million from 2023. Almost all of that reduction is coming by cutting the budget for new properties and equipment. The budget would also fund a position to implement Vision Zero in the city.
About $119 million will be spent on roads, bridges and greenway projects across Indianapolis. About 30% of that money will go toward pedestrian and cyclist safety.
The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services is losing $10 million, about a third of their budget. Much of that money would go toward creating a new Animal Care Services agency with a budget of about $8 million. The city hopes to open a new shelter by early 2026.
About $2.5 million is being cut from the funding for the Marion County Election Board.
The city is also negotiating several union contracts, including with the Fraternal Order of Police. In August, IMPD confirmed they are still short just over 300 officers.