FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Today City Councilman Dr. John Crawford discussed with WOWO News the upcoming timeline for his proposal to invest in Riverfront Development through an increase in the local income tax:
“We’re talking about increasing a total of 0.15 percent, we’re currently at 1.35 percent, so that would raise it to 1.5 percent,” Crawford says. That equates to about $5.77 more per month for the average Allen County household income of $49,000.
An ordinance to increase the local income tax is scheduled to be introduced at tonight’s City Council meeting. A public hearing and City Council discussion on the proposal will occur on Tuesday, June 27. A second public hearing and continued City Council discussion and final vote are scheduled for Tuesday, July 11.
Crawford says the change could generate the necessary money, $9.6 million per year for the City of Fort Wayne, to advance phases two and three of riverfront development, add new sidewalks throughout Fort Wayne and address areas of Fort Wayne Community Schools and East Allen County Schools that lack sidewalks for children.