Greenwood mayor says state tax law will strip $3.6M, outlines priorities for public safety and infrastructure
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Summary
At a Greenwood fireside‑chat hosted by Aspire, Mayor Mark W. Myers said Senate Enrolled Act 1 will reduce the city’s general operating fund by about $3.6 million and described plans to protect services through grants, bond management and lobbying for legislative fixes.
Mayor Mark W. Myers warned attendees at a State of the City fireside chat hosted by Aspire at the Greenwood Field House that changes enacted under Senate Enrolled Act 1 will sharply reduce the city’s near‑term operating revenue and outlined a multi‑pronged response. "Greenwood alone this year, we're going to lose $3,600,000 out of our general operating fund," Myers said.
Myers said 75% of the general operating fund goes to salaries and that, under current projections, no replacement revenue is expected for four years. He described the law as "crippling" for many Indiana communities and said Greenwood officials, through Accelerate Indiana Municipalities and direct lobbying, are pursuing three changes: increase the city's share of a planned local income tax from 1.2% to 1.9%, lower the population threshold for eligibility from 3,500 to 2,000, and extend the bond‑rate averaging period to reduce borrowing costs.
The mayor emphasized outside grants and federal funds as essential to maintaining services. He cited a $1,000,000 Community Crossings grant (a matching program) and said Greenwood is working to maximize state and federal funding streams. "If we're paying the taxes, those taxes ought to come right back to our community," Myers said.
Myers also highlighted recent recognition for the city's financial management: Greenwood received the Government Finance Officers Association distinguished budget presentation award, one of four Indiana municipalities to earn that honor in the year he cited.
City priorities Myers listed — public safety, infrastructure, quality of life and economic development — were presented as ways to protect core services amid the new fiscal reality. He flagged high‑cost projects such as a $54 million multi‑phase widening and pedestrian improvements for Smith Valley Road as long‑term investments that will rely heavily on outside funding and careful bond management.
Myers said he will continue lobbying state and federal officials and working with municipal coalitions to seek statutory fixes and revenue sharing adjustments. No formal votes or policy actions were taken at the luncheon; the talk was a presentation and public update.
