Fort Wayne Voters Decide on Half-Cent Sales Tax for Road Repairs

The proposed Fort Wayne sales tax referendum asks voters to approve a 0.5 percent increase on taxable purchases to generate dedicated revenue for local road and bridge repairs. If passed, the change would apply to most retail transactions within city limits and affect every household that buys goods in Allen County.

City budget documents from fiscal year 2025 show that current street maintenance funding covers only 62 percent of identified repair needs, leaving a gap that grows each winter due to freeze-thaw damage on streets such as Illinois Road and State Boulevard. The referendum emerged after the City Council voted in June to place the question before voters rather than raise property taxes.

How the tax would reach daily spending

Residents who shop at grocery stores, pharmacies, and hardware outlets in Fort Wayne would see the increase at checkout. A family spending $800 monthly on taxable items would pay roughly $15 more per month, according to calculations released by the Allen County Auditor’s office. The added revenue is projected to total $14.2 million in the first full year and would be restricted by ordinance to pavement resurfacing, pothole crews, and signal upgrades.

Local advocates note that the measure includes a five-year sunset clause, after which the tax would require another public vote to continue. The legislation states that funds cannot be diverted to salaries or administrative overhead.

Timeline and next steps for voters

Ballots will be mailed to registered voters in early October. The Allen County Election Board will hold two public information sessions on August 12 and September 9 at the Allen County Public Library downtown branch. Results are expected the night of November 3, with implementation set for January 1, 2027, if approved.