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Ballard To Discuss Indy City Budget

Last updated on Tuesday, August 12, 2008

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard presents his first budget to a city-county council committee tonight, with $18-million dollars in cuts to arts, parks and sheriff’s spending.

The administration claims its budget turns last year's $26-million-dollar deficit into a $5-million-dollar surplus, while spending more on police, fire and roads.

To get there, the budget assumes voters will eliminate eight township assessors in a November referendum, and assumes income tax collections will rise despite the sluggish economy.

Marion County Republican Chairman Tom John blames ousted democratic Mayor Bart Peterson and democratic county officials for the red ink.

He says the budget will include about $11-million dollars in interest on borrowing to cover everyday expenses.

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