Jensen says public safety will account for 55% of Noblesville's 2027 operating budget; new police and fire facilities planned

Mayor Chris Jensen placed public safety at the center of his budget priorities, saying a majority of the city’s operating resources will be devoted to police and fire services next year.

"In 2027 ... 55% of our annual operating budget will go towards public safety," Jensen said, noting that figure represents an increase from 47% in 2020. He credited that shift to investments in frontline personnel and facilities.

Jensen announced plans to break ground next month on a long-overdue new downtown police station and said the city has closed on land for a new East Side fire station near State Road 37. He described the current police facility as one designed in 1992 and said the project will provide updated capacity to serve a larger, growing population.

Jensen also emphasized nontraditional public-safety efforts: he highlighted NOBLE ACT, a proactive paramedicine program that has handled more than 10,000 calls for service in five years and employs several mental-health care canines, including Luna—recently named canine officer of the year in Indiana.

The mayor framed public-safety investment as a reflection of community priorities and said the city aims to combine capital projects with programs that reduce downstream demand on emergency and judicial systems.