Five Ways Noblesville's 2025 Budget Impacts You
Hint: It includes public safety funding, sidewalks, brick streets and more
It’s been a busy few weeks in Indiana’s 9th largest city.1 Before we dive into the proposed city budget and why it matters to your family, I wanted to share two updates.
The first phase (of the first phase) of Pleasant Street is open! On September 26th, we had a party on Pleasant Street to open up the first leg of Pleasant Street (8th Street to River Road) to the public. It was great to see so many people from all over Noblesville there. Look for the 10th and Pleasant roundabout to open within Q4.
Fall is here, which means that leaf pickup is underway! This service, managed by the city, began early this week and will continue through December 6th. It will move through the city, section by section, according to the map below. Click the link for further details.
Let’s dive in: The Budget
The process to organize and finalize the City budget is a months-long process, starting in Spring and ending in October.2 While each Council member approaches the budgeting process differently, I look to the City's budget to:
Provide a fiscally responsible runway. This budget maintains our tax rate while making significant investments in public safety, downtown, and infrastructure.
Maintain healthy cash reserves. The State of Indiana recommends that cities target 12% of their annual revenue for cash reserves — we have increased that to a minimum of 15%. This is always important, but especially during periods of economic unknowns.
Serve as a guide to the next year. Departments are instructed to include both staffing & project goals in their presentations. This is the best opportunity for departments heads to make bold, strategic decisions.
Align with the future goals of Noblesville. Just like my own business, our city's budgeting priorities must reflect the direction we'd like Noblesville to go.
So what does the budget fund?
I’m glad you asked. Here are some highlights you should know:
Public Safety:
Police and Fire: The police and fire departments account for more than 50% of this year’s presented budget and include new positions, both sworn and civilian.
New Public Safety Building: Site preparation and design for a new police station to replace the outdated facility.
Expansion of the Noble Act program: Further equipping our police and fire personnel to assist individuals with mental health, substance abuse, and other needs.
Economic Development:
Innovation Mile: Continued investment in Innovation Mile, the master planned 600-acre business district near I-69 and Exit 210 that will anchor economic and business growth on Noblesville’s east side.
Road and Infrastructure Improvements:
Pleasant Street: Phase 1 of the project is on schedule and within budget. Phases 2 and 3 are underway and are set to complete in late 2025.
Trails & Parks: Dollars to complete and connect the Midland Trace and and Little Chicago Trails, in addition to investments in Finch Creek Park.
East Side Investment: Engineering for widening Boden Road and Olio Road.
How does the budget impact me?
Great question. Here are five items in the budget that I’ve pulled out to show how your tax dollars are at work to enhance the community around you.
Budget Case Study #1: Protecting Brick Streets
Where: Logan and Clinton Streets
Funds Allocated: $350,000
Areas of Importance: Infrastructure, Preservation, Downtown
The bricks on Logan and Clinton Streets are one of the hallmarks of Noblesville. Visitors and residents rave about them, the Front Porch Music Festival brings them life, and it’s on us to take care of them.
Over the span of the few years, I’ve been working with Council members to create an actionable, long-term plan to allocate funds ensuring the bricks on Logan and Clinton Streets are cared for and preserved.
Budget Case Study #2: Fire Station Land Acquisition
Where: City-wide, specifically targeting Noblesville’s east side
Funds Allocated: $500,000
Areas of Importance: Public Safety
As we grow, investment in public safety is one of the most important expenditures we undertake. With the expected growth on the east side of Noblesville, these funds will go towards strategically squiring land for an additional fire station in this part of the city.3
Budget Cast Study #3: Nickel Plate Trail Bridge over 146th Street
Where: Nickel Plate Trail & 146th Street
Funds Allocated: $700,000
Areas of Importance: Infrastructure, Trail Connectivity, Economic Development
In 2022, the City applied for and received $3.1 million in a DNR Next Level Trails grant which paid for the vast majority of Noblesville’s portion of the trail. The 12-foot wide trail is now nearly complete — besides a bridge over 146th Street.
Once it is built, the entire trail length will be 17.8 miles and will serve as a connection point to communities throughout Hamilton and Marion Counties (via the Nickel Plate, Midland Trace, and Monon Trails).
Budget Case Study #4: Old Town Sidewalks
Where: Old Town
Cost: $300,000
Areas of Importance: Infrastructure, Downtown
In my time on Council, I’m most proud of our City’s investment in the Old Town Sidewalk Program. This program was created to "grade" all sidewalks in Old Town, identify "gaps" where sidewalks don't currently exist, and replace sections systematically, based on need.
It’s a seemingly small program, but connecting residents and neighborhoods with sidewalks is such an important aspect of creating a cohesive community, especially in Old Town. As pedestrian connectivity becomes more important, I’ll keep advocating for this program to grow.
Budget Case Study #5: Logan Street Corridor Study
Where: Federal Hill
Cost: $300,000
Areas of Importance: Infrastructure, Trail Connectivity
If you’ve driven by the Noblesville Main Street Farmer’s Market, or attended a concert in Federal Hill on Saturday nights, you’ve seen your fair share of pedestrians darting across Logan Street to get to the park.
I’m excited to share that we’re undertaking a long-needed look at how Logan Street (from Lakeview to SR-19) looks and feels — to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. These plans will equip the city with actionable plans to rework Logan Street in the future to:
Slow traffic down
accommodate the increase in vehicular, bike, and pedestrian traffic
and, better connect Federal Hill, the Kroger plaza, and Forest Park to downtown
Stay tuned for more!
A few trending stories:
Here are a few stories you may have missed on Noblesville over the past month:
IndyStar: Driving through downtown Noblesville is getting easier as Pleasant Street bridge opens
IBJ: Proposed $250M Noblesville development calls for 650 homes near Morse Reservoir
Current: A salute to service: Noblesville veterans to participate in Indy Honor Flight
Hamilton County Reporter: Downtown Noblesville getting new art gallery
Current: Meet the Noblesville Schools Board of Trustees candidates
IBJ: Noblesville to build police station at former Firestone factory site
And before you go, Noblesville lands screening for Heartland International Film Festival.
Did you know that Noblesville is the only city outside of Indianapolis to host films during the Heartland International Film Festival? There are five theaters showing films: Kan-Kan, Living Room Theaters, Glendale 12, Newfields and Emagine Theaters in Noblesville.
Why is this a big deal? The film industry churns a lot of money and people. HIFF alone will attract thousands of people from within Indiana and around the world.
Is there a Noblesville tie? You bet. Noblesville’s own 12 Stars Media has a film in the festival (Dirty Laundry) with scenes shot here! Don’t miss the screening of Dirty Laundry at Emagine on Thursday, October 17th. Here's a list of all the films screening at Emagine during the festival.
Noblesville is growing — and quickly. In 2021, the IndyStar shared an article that listed Noblesville as the 10th largest city in Indiana. Since then, we’ve eclipsed Lafayette as the 9th largest. We have a bit to go until we get close to Hammond at 77k.
The proposed budget follows the approximate timeline:
August: City Council previews budget with specific requests from the administration and department heads
September: Budget submitted to Finance Committee & introduced to Council
October: Council votes on final budget.
In Currently, we have one fire station on the east side of SR-37 off of Olio Road
Are there plans to enhance the trail entrance over White River on North 8th Street? This is the trailhead over the trail bridge leading to Forest Park. We pass through there several times per week to access Forest and have frequently interface dangerously with vehicles. There is no signage for the trail, no barriers, no stop signs, absolutely nothing to protect trail users. Trail users must cut through the old cleaners parking lot. My wife and I have ridden many trails throughout the US entering and exiting small towns and this is one of the most dangerous trail intersections we have experienced. We see many infrastructure enhancements throughout Noblesville, yet nothing is being done in this area. Disappointing.