Musician Ralph Tourkow is fondly remembered as a talented musician who had a jovial sense of humor and a schedule of dinner dates. His family and friends agree that to meet Tourkow was to instantly meet a friend.FORT WAYNE – Three Republican City Council members say existing money – even Legacy funds – should be used to fill budget gaps before property taxes are increased.
Councilmen John Crawford, R-at large, Mitch Harper, R-4th, and Russ Jehl, R-2nd, held a news conference Wednesday to voice their support for spending down existing fund balances rather than increasing taxes. Included in the money they said could be spent is the Legacy Fund – $75 million from the lease and sale of the City Light & Power utility.
The city administration is scheduled to present its proposed 2013 budget to the council at the end of this month; it is expected to have a $3 million to $6 million shortfall. The three councilmen did not propose any cuts but said that in general, discretionary spending should be trimmed.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s print edition of The Journal Gazette or visit www.journalgazette.net after 3 a.m. Thursday.
dstockman@jg.net
