‘Budget 101’ dives into Cambridge City’s 2025 funds

Cambridge City has taken another step toward approving its 2025 budget.

No one commented on the town’s budget plan during a public hearing at council’s Sept. 9 meeting. 

Council is expected to adopt the budget at its 6 p.m. Oct. 14 meeting and submit it for state officials’ review and approval later this year.

Town Attorney Bob Bever led the conversation with a “Budget 101” session to help the public and new council members better understand the process.

Council received a list of 2025 projected expenditures, which were discussed at an earlier budget workshop, and a summary of the town’s 16 funds showing the expenditures and their sources.

Some funds come from the town’s cash on hand or state taxes on cigarettes, gasoline, riverboat casinos or financial institutions.

Four town funds have a third source: real estate property taxes. Those are the general fund, which most expenses come out of, plus motor vehicle highway, cumulative capital improvement rate and cumulative capital development.

Because Indiana has property tax caps, the town’s maximum levy is reduced. The caps will reduce Cambridge City’s 2025 income by $290,000.

The town can collect a maximum of $667,432 for annual operations from 2025 property taxes. It collected about $611,000 in 2024.

Bever noted that Cambridge City’s 2025 budget went up less than 2/10 of 1%.

During its previous workshop, council made several cuts to fund new needs and priorities while providing employees a 3% raise.

However, property taxes are going up about 9% because the town didn’t have as much cash on hand as it had in 2024 and needs to restore that reserve.

Under the proposed budget, Cambridge City is still $14,000 under its maximum property tax levy.

Bever said the town’s 2025 operating balance will be about $49,000, rather than a preferred $100,000, but that couldn’t be increased without additional tax increases.

Some funds carry over for looming large expenses such as fire trucks.

In other business

• The single bid for the performance venue to be built behind the fire station was rejected because it was much costlier than expected. It will be rebid. Councilors will open new bids at their October meeting. 
• The tornado siren communication issue is still being repaired. It can be activated manually if needed.
• Council voted to give Wayne County half its Economic Development Income Tax. Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County uses those funds to recruit businesses, help existing businesses expand and/or retain jobs, and improve quality of life through initiatives such as blight elimination, housing and child care.
• Council accepted Longnecker Excavation’s $14,800 bid to demolish 420 W. Main. Additional property owners will receive a follow-up letter and fine because they’ve not made enough progress since their earlier letter.
• Before new playground equipment is installed at Creitz Park, three pieces in disrepair are being removed. Council voted to donate the abandoned items to Boy Scouts for scrapping. 
• Council discussed plans to improve security cameras and lighting at Creitz Park to reduce vandalism. A picnic table was damaged recently.
• Street closures were approved for the Oct. 12 downtown antique fair.
• Halloween activities are Oct. 31. The costume parade departs the former school along U.S. 40, passing downtown shops, and arrives at the fire station for the 5:45 p.m. contest. Trick-or-treat is from 6-8 p.m.
• Resident Lori Lakes asked the town to replace the curb recently completed in the 400 block of West Maple. Councilors will investigate.