Hey Locals,

Your voice made a difference! Last week, City Council voted down a proposal that would have allowed a private equity-owned car wash chain to enter Fort Wayne's market. We received good feedback from Council on our map of the city's car washes (which shows Fort Wayne already has about twice as many as it needs). More on that in Briefs.

We also fill you in on City Council's concerns about Indiana's massive (and confusing) state property tax bill, SB1. Plus, we have updates on Chuck Surack's latest projects.

In our To Do List, we share free ways to relieve some stress this spring with nature, laughter and good deeds.

Don't forget: this month, we're partnering the superfood cafe Grain & Berry at 9821 Lima Rd. to bring all paid subscribers to The Local a free juice or health shot. Learn how to claim your offer here.

Now, let's get started!

NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.

'Make it make sense.'

City Council challenges state legislators on where to cut 'tens of millions' of dollars from Fort Wayne's property tax budget.

What's happening?

State and local Republicans have been at odds this spring about Gov. Mike Braun's landmark property tax reform bill (SB1), moving through the state legislature. At the end of last week's regular City Council meeting, President Russ Jehl (R-2) delivered a speech, saying Council has done its due diligence to meet with legislators and explain the city's property tax spending, which largely (69%) goes to public safety (think police and fire salaries), as well as other essential services, like schools, parks and road repairs. Jehl challenged Braun and state Republicans to show him exactly where the city could cut "tens of millions" of dollars from these services, as SB1 has proposed. Or as Councilwoman Michelle Chambers (D-At Large) puts it: “Make it make sense.”

So where do things stand? The end of Indiana's legislative session looms on April 29, and legislators met yesterday on what could have been the final vote for SB1 before it goes to Braun's desk for signing. As such, hundreds of teachers, parents and students rallied yesterday at the statehouse, demanding funding for public schools – which represent about half of SB1's proposed cuts.* We did not see any further updates to the story, as of 10 p.m. last night.

Here are a few quick things to know about SB1.

• It has evolved a lot, and there are still a lot of unknowns about its ultimate effects. Last Tuesday, Jehl compared its potential effects on Fort Wayne to "saying let’s not have the Parks Department anymore." But the day after his speech, SB1 passed the Indiana House of Representatives with amendments that somewhat softened its effects on municipal governments. Jehl tells us Council is "grateful that the bill is trending toward a realistic direction where the balance between tax relief and retaining core city services is struck." Still, there are a lot of unknowns – to the point that, by Saturday, Braun's own Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith was calling on Braun to veto the bill, claiming it's become "too complex" and "NOBODY understands this thing… including me!" Braun said last week he was eager to sign the bill, which was a hallmark of his campaign.
• State legislators say SB1 is not actually cutting city budgets but reducing projected increases in coming years; however, Jehl points out that “in a time of inflation, those are real cuts.” In recent weeks, City Council has collaborated across party lines to host state legislators in Fort Wayne and send local representatives to the statehouse to communicate SB1's potential effects. Even so, Jehl says: "I have yet to have anybody substantiably show me where in our police department budget, where in our fire department, where in our parks, where in our roads, we are wasting tremendous amounts of funds." He fears that reducing property taxes will limit council's ability to provide cost of living wage increases to public safety officers locally, while the state will still be able to offer such benefits to its officers.
• It's unclear how much tax relief the latest version of SB1 would deliver to average Hoosiers – but it will likely raise other, less essential taxes. State legislators claim SB1 will result in two-thirds of Indiana homeowners seeing reduced property tax bills in 2026 compared to 2025, and the Indy Star breaks down some of those potential savings (about $300 or less to the average homeowner). But critics, including Fort Wayne's City Council, point out that cutting property taxes could divert tax hikes to other, perhaps less efficient funding mechanisms, like local income taxes (LIT), as cities and towns scramble to fill gaps. As Jehl puts it: "If they're going after the property taxes, I think most of the state will find that income taxes will rise, and that is where the most inefficient spending is." House Minority Leader Democrat Phil GiaQuinta went so far as to call SB1 a "scam"* and a "tax hike in disguise," which “presumes Hoosiers can’t understand that 2.9% of their income is a lot more money than a $300 property tax credit.”

Why it matters

In a nation (and state) increasingly divided by party lines (and sometimes unfounded rhetoric), common sense and the common good appear to be prevailing among Fort Wayne's leadership from both parties. Council's bipartisan collaboration to challenge property tax reform and point out more effective solutions shows people of different political beliefs can come together around evidence, mutual respect and common goals in Indiana.

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• Last week, City Council unanimously voted down the zoning proposal for a new WhiteWater Car Wash, which was unanimously approved by the Plan Commission recently on March 17. This follows our April 1 report, which found Fort Wayne already has about twice as many express car washes as it needs. Several council members questioned the proliferation of car washes in town, and a resident shared points we reported during the public comments. Some council members also cited noise and proximity of the car wash to neighborhoods as reasons for not supporting its rezoning proposal. In addition to car washes, council also mentioned the proliferation self-storage businesses in Fort Wayne, which likewise provide few benefits to cities in tax revenue, jobs and land use, inspiring bans in some parts of the U.S. Rep. Paul Ensley (R-1) said: "I know you talked about a lot of car washes coming through, and I'm always surprised at the amount of self-storage the market seems to demand." Still, he and other council members gave a unanimous do-pass recommendation for a new storage facility.
• Local business leader Chuck Surack is meeting with City leaders this week about a previously rejected offer to purchase North River property. Last week, Surack and fellow businessman Daryle Doden (father of Eric Doden) submitted a public $12 million offer to buy city-owned riverfront property along the St. Marys slated for a $50-$60 million sports fieldhouse. The city rejected the offer, saying they've already received pitches from about 18 development firms for the project, and the land is "not for sale." Still, Surack says discussions are ongoing, and if he is successful, his team will work closely with elected officials and "anyone who wants to offer suggestions for the property," The JG* reports. “If we can get this done, we plan to use many developers,” Surack says, noting that the property could include a hotel, restaurants, a natatorium, an aquarium and a mid-sized Downtown arena.

What else? More on Surack's projects, resident support for public transportation, and local organizations facing state and federal funding cuts. We cover it all in our premium newsletter.

• Register: for We Carry Kevan's annual 5K Run/Walk/Roll fundraiser, supporting people with disabilities to achieve more freedom, access, and joy. The local organization honoring Fort Wayne resident Kevan Chandler serves more than 1,000 families in 45 countries. Its fundraiser begins May 31 at 10 a.m. at Shoaff Park.
• Check out: the Botanical Conservatory's annual Color in Motion live butterfly exhibit, open April 15-June 22. The display features exotic butterflies and multicolor spring flowers with special $1 discount nights on Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. (General admission is $7 for adults; $5 for kids.)
• Laugh along: to a night of free Stand-Up Comedy at the Fairfield's “Barrel Room" on April 16 at 7 p.m. The show will feature local talent (18+).

What else? We share more things to do in our premium newsletter.

Got a story tip or idea?

Let us know at thelocalfortwayne@gmail.com.

Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett