The operating budget of the city and county for 2023 was adopted

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INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis City-County Council has adopted a new budget for next year, which includes increased funding for the Indianapolis Police Department.

The 2023 city and county operating budget is $1.46 billion and passed with just one dissenting vote.

In a statement on the passage, Mayor Joe Hogsett said it represents the sixth consecutive balanced budget, each created and passed with broad bipartisan support. The addition was achieved without raising taxes or selling public assets.

“The bipartisan passage of next year’s budget is a huge win for Indianapolis residents as we invest unprecedented resources in public safety, chart a bold vision for the future of infrastructure and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods across Marion County,” Hogsett said.

As part of the budget, IMPD will receive $313 million as it tries to attract more officers to the city. The department currently has about 1,600 employees, and officials want to fill about 200 more positions.

To do that, IMPD will raise first-year pay for officers to one of the highest rates in the Midwest and introduce a $10,000 signing bonus.

Some other highlights of Budget 2023 include:

• $2 million for a clinician-led team of mental health professionals to respond instead of police officers when residents experience a nonviolent mental health crisis.
• Elements of a 5-year, $1.15 billion capital plan for roads, bridges, trails, sidewalks and more.
• Funding for the first traffic engineer position to review fatal traffic incidents.
• Dedicated paths and greenways to further develop and maintain the city’s expanding network.
• A $500,000 expansion of the Indy Achieves program, empowering more students to return to higher education for degrees that will lead to well-paying careers.

“The budget prioritizes equity in investments in public safety, infrastructure, neighborhood development and mental health,” said Indianapolis City Council President Vop Osili. “Passing tonight’s budget reaffirms our commitment to equity in Indianapolis. I hope we can all continue to work together to invest in our city to ensure everyone thrives.”