Muncie’s mayor is sending his administration’s second city budget to the Muncie City Council for consideration next month.  As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, he’s again prioritizing funding for streets and parks.

Mayor Dan Ridenour’s proposed budget of more than $54 million is an increase in spending from last year.  But it’s also adding more money to the city’s Rainy Day Fund.

Last year, COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns had Ridenour worried the city could see less in income taxes from that unemployment – so he planned rainy day savings.  But now, he says tax news from the state of Indiana is good.

“We were not hit as deeply as the estimates thought.”

In June, state officials reported sales, individual income, and corporate income tax collections all dramatically exceeded anticipated levels.  It’s even triggered the state’s automatic taxpayer refund.

Budget Highlights By The Numbers

• Rainy Day Fund contribution – $500,000
• Streets – $6.9 million (14 percent increase)
• Parks – $2.8 million (includes EDIT funds)
• Read the full proposed budget here

In this year’s budget, the mayor is keeping up his commitment to streets and parks.  Funding for the street department is up 14 percent from last year, which in itself was an increase from the previous city administration.

Though, Muncie residents aren’t seeing the fruits of last year’s increase on city roads yet.  Ridenour says you can blame the pandemic for that.

“We had the money budgeted and we have the projects planned and ready to go.  But some of the schedules of the contractors – because everything was shut down in 2020 – so they got behind in their work, and, therefore, are still finishing up ’20 work before they’ll start the ’21.”

The parks budget is also increasing. The mayor says it’s earmarked for playground updates, more parks maintenance, and hiring a full-time assistant forester to help park greenery.

What isn’t included in the 67-page proposed budget sent to city council this week?  When Muncie received federal COVID recovery funds through the American Rescue Plan, it’s plan called for more than $1.9 million to be used to make up a 2022 budget shortfall.  Ridenour says those funds are a separate item and not included.

The budget will be introduced at Muncie City Council’s September 13 meeting and finance committee hearings are expected to continue through September.