Delaware County Council gives budget advice ahead of property tax reform losses

Indiana counties are about to start creating budgets that will, for the first time, feel revenue losses from the state’s 2025 property tax reform package.  As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, the Delaware County Council is giving some guidance to county departments on what requests the county likely can’t grant.

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00;00;00;00 - 00;00;06;12 Stephanie Wiechmann Delaware County Council President William Hughes had clear advice for county departments at a meeting this week. 00;00;06;15 - 00;00;16;23 William Hughes The days of just adding a another 5 or 10% on all your operating expenses, just don't do it. You need to - you need to keep those flat or reduce them, if at all possible. 00;00;16;26 - 00;00;42;14 Stephanie Wiechmann When Governor Mike Braun signed the tax reform bill in April of 2025, a report from the Legislative Services Agency estimated Delaware County would lose about $ 6.5 million in fiscal year 2026 by fiscal year 2028. That number is $ 12.3 million. Council members say they will likely say no to funding new employees or capital projects without other funding sources like grants. But - 00;00;42;16 - 00;00;45;24 William Hughes They can, they can ask for anything. We have no control over that. 00;00;45;26 - 00;00;56;12 Stephanie Wiechmann When the council spoke against the proposed bill in February of 2025, Hughes said he thought the county would have to cut dozens of employees. I'm Stephanie Wiechmann in Muncie.

Delaware County Council president William Hughes had clear advice for county departments at a meeting this week.

“The days of just adding another five or ten percent on all your operating expenses – just don’t do it,” he said. “You need to keep those flat or reduce them, if at all possible.”

When Governor Mike Braun signed the tax reform bill in April of 2025, a report from the Legislative Services Agency estimated Delaware County would lose about $6.5 million in fiscal year 2026.  By fiscal year 2028, that number is $12.3 million.

Read More: Delaware County commissioners vote down proposed new tax fund for buildings

Council members say they will likely say no to funding new employees or capital projects, without other funding sources like grants.

Council member Brad Bookout said the council had already talked about not approving any new employees, but he says departments still come to the council and ask for exemptions and explain their reasoning.

Hughes replied, “They can, they can ask for anything.  We have no control over that.”

When the council spoke against the proposed bill in February of 2025, Hughes said he thought the county would have to cut dozens of employees.

Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host.  Contact her at slwiechmann@bsu.edu.