MADISON CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS MAYOR’S 2025 BUDGET

FOCUSED ON QUALITY OF LIFE, PUBLIC SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

Madison, Indiana (October 22, 2024) – The Common Council of the City of Madison voted unanimously to adopt the 2025 City budget totaling $15.1 million, a 4.2% increase over 2024, which is largely attributed to inflation. When combined with the city’s utility services, the total cost of operating the city next year is approximately $23 million.  This budget, which strategically balances tax dollars, grants, reserves, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds along with user fees, aims to drive improvements across the community while enhancing quality of life, public safety, and infrastructure.

A significant highlight of the budget is the creation of a capital plan to begin the physical resurfacing of the Main Street corridor, spanning from Broadway Street to the top of Hanover Hill. Last year’s major infrastructure investments focused mostly on the hilltop, with new investments in water, roads, and retail development. After four years of planning, design, and engineering, the 2025 effort marks the beginning of a three-year street and pedestrian safety improvement initiative that seeks to modernize and revitalize this important street throughout the historic district. The total cost of the project from Hanover Hill to Broadway Street and traffic calming initiatives on the east and west ends of Main Street is estimated to be approximately $21 million.  The city is leveraging multiple sources of capital to accomplish this plan, which began in 2014 with the road transfer agreement between the City of Madison and the INDOT. Planning for future improvements to the central business district are also underway with construction on that phase anticipated in 2028-2030.

In addition to infrastructure projects, the 2025 budget includes continued investments in blight elimination, new investments in parks, and the continued focus on public safety and quality of life. These investments demonstrate the city’s proactive approach to maintaining and improving its vibrant and welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.

“The City of Madison’s 2025 budget is a testament to our commitment to creating a thriving, safe, and economically vibrant community. This fifth consecutive balanced budget leverages grants, reserves, TIF funding, and other resources to invest in public safety, parks, streets, and infrastructure improvements. We continue to maximize the impact of our initiatives, such as the Main Street redesign and ongoing blight remediation, to enhance daily life for our residents while ensuring long-term growth and prosperity without increasing tax rates”, said Madison’s Mayor Bob Courtney.

Additional 2025 key initiatives supported by the budget include new housing downtown and on the hilltop, Welch Park improvements, Crooked Creek flood mitigation, stormwater master planning, new equipment for the Madison Police Department, zoning modernization, and TIF optimization strategies throughout the city.