BEECH GROVE, Ind. — The City of Beech Grove passed its 2025 budget Monday night, bringing pay increases for city workers and investments in public safety and infrastructure.
The $19 million budget features a 3% raise for all city employees to account for the recent cost of living increases, according to a news release.
“Budgets are about priorities and planning for the unexpected, and in my first budget I wanted to make sure we invest in the people who show up every day and do great work for the citizens of Beech Grove,” said Mayor Coffman. “From our parks to public works, every city employee makes a difference and it’s important to me that we recognize them for their commitment to our community.”
Monday’s approval marks the first city budget that James Coffman has passed as mayor. Coffman previously served as the Beech Grove Clerk-Treasurer for four years.
The budget also prioritized the Beech Grove Police Department to ensure it can continue providing salaries that keep the department toward the higher end of the pay scale within Marion County.
Another highlight is a nearly $1 million investment in heavily traveled intersections and other local infrastructure.
“Even though we are a small city, we are in the middle of a major metro area and our police officers routinely solve complex and challenging cases,” continued Mayor Coffman. “It’s critical our police officers are at pay parity with other law enforcement agencies so we can attract and retain officers of the highest caliber to keep our city safe.”
In August, Coffman announced that the Indianapolis Metropolitan Organization was planning to invest $3.4 million to construct a roundabout at the intersection near Churchman and Emerson Avenue.
The funding is part of a wider initiative to improve safety at an intersection that recorded 70 crashes within the last two years.
