Good evening, everyone. Let's begin our meeting with a prayer and pledge of allegiance led by counselor. Before I call a pastor Lindsay, I want to take a moment of personal privilege to talk to my colleagues and our neighbors. OCTOBER is Cancer Awareness Month. And this year it's deeply personal for me. My mom, Joyce, was diagnosed with cancer over the summer show completed radiation treatments this Friday watching her walk. This journey has been humbling and inspiring because of diagnosis. And because I turned 40 this year, I scheduled my first my bracket, genetic test. Early detection and prevention are the best tools we have when cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 99%. But if that if that if it is diagnosed late, that survival rate can fall to 30% or less,
the difference is why screening matter so much here, Marion County or cancer rate is higher than much of the state. Yet to many women still put off mammograms and too many families face z's without enough support. Today, more than 4 million people in the United States are cancer survivors. Each one reminder that early detection, strong treatment and community care truly can save lives. A mammogram can save a life. Word of encouragement right to treatment or simply showing up for someone to remind them that they do not fight alone. Survivorship is not just about getting through treatment. It's about rebuilding lives that requires us as a community to walk alongside our neighbors long after that last radiation or chemotherapy
sessions as a council as a city stand united against cancer with awareness, with action, with compassion. So now I would like to ask Pastor Lindsay to lead us in prayer tonight. Father, your word tells us that were to give suffocation some prayers and our sessions and thanks for everyone. For rulers and for all that authority, you tell that this is the path to a quiet and peaceful life. So I pray for their work. I pray for their staff, their families pray for wisdom for health and safety for balance in their lives, for the courage and for strength. Tonight is the culmination of many months of hard work. I thank you, Lord, for each of the agencies, the
departments states tried their best to Stuart Limited resources. So I ask that you give them wisdom as they serve this great city. For tonight. I pray for counselors, this essential task. I pray to be an example to our community cooperation when possible compromise when necessary. Always done in civility and courtesy. So thank you for Grayson. Thank you for your abundant blessings. David I pray. Amen. I would ask you keep standing as we do the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Counselors, please let green button to indicate your attendance.
There are 25 council is present. We have no guests this evening. So proceed to the next item on our agenda. Which is if you the communications, MADAM Clerk. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT ladies and gentleman. We are here by notify the regular meetings of the city County Council. Police Fire and Solid waste Collection Special Service District councils will be held in the city County building and the public Assembly room Monday, OCTOBER 6, 2025 at 7 o'clock pm the purposes of such meetings being to conduct any and all business that MAY come that MAY properly come before regular meetings of the council. Sincerely solely PRESIDENT City County Council. Ladies and gentleman pursuant to the laws of the state of Indiana. I caused to be published in the Indianapolis Star on the homepage of the
council's website on Friday SEPTEMBER. 26 a copy of Notice of Public hearing proposal. Number 2.73, 2025 said hearing to be held on Monday, OCTOBER 6, 2025 a 7 o'clock pm and the Public Assembly room of the city County building. Ladies and gentlemen, I have approved with my signature and delivered this data. The clerk of the City County Council. You want to win field following ordinances special special ordinance numbers, 12 13, 2025 Chalks, it Mayor, MR. PRESIDENT this concludes the official communications. Thank you. MADAM Clerk. The next item on our agenda is adoption of the agenda. Consent The next item on our agenda is approval of journals for SEPTEMBER. The 22nd 2025. I
consent. We have no items this evening under petitions, memorial special resolutions and council resolutions. So proceed to the next item on agenda which is introduction proposals. MADAM Clerk. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. The following proposals were referred to the Metropolitan at Economic Development Committee proposal. Number 3, 0, 9, 2025 introduced by COUNCILMAN Lewis reappoint David Baker to the Indianapolis Stewart Preservation Commission. Proposal. Number 3.10, through 2025 introduced by COUNCILMAN Luis Reappoint Brian Barton to the Marion County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals proposal. Number 3.11, 2025 introduced by Council Lewis
reappoint kept the goal to the Marion County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals. Proposal. Number 3.12, 2025 introduced by Council Lewis reappoint Sprint Lyle to Metropolitan Development Commission. Proposal. Number 3.13, 3 points. Introduced by COUNCILMAN Luis Reappoint Skate. More pull. So board a business and neighborhood services. Proposal. Number 3.14, introduced by council boots, reappoint Joseph winds to the board of Parks and Recreation. The following proposals were referred to the public safety and Criminal Justice Committee. Proposal. Number 3.16, 2025 introduced by Council Robertson reappoint Emily Rubin to the assessment Intervention Center Advisory Board. Proposal. Number 3.17, 2025 reappoint Alexandra Hall to the domestic violence fatality review team. Proposal. Number 3.18, introduced by Council Rumson
reappoint It Smith to the domestic violence fatality review team. Proposal. Number 3.19, introduced by council Remsen reappoint Windy, Tucker to the early Intervention Planning Council. Proposal. Number 3.20, introduced by. Councilor Robinson amends chapter 2.83, of the revised coal to modify the duties and responsibilities. The forensic service agency. The following proposals worry for to the Public Works Committee proposal. Number 3.21, 2025 introduced by Council Jones Reappoint Leslie, our show to the Board of Public Works proposal. Number 3.22, 2025 introduced by Council Jones reappoint right side. Goal. I want to the Board of Public works MR. PRESIDENT that
concludes introductions. Thank you. MADAM Clerk, the next item on our agenda, special orders, part of business. numbers 3.23 Through 3. 27 2025. Are all rezonings that were certified to the council for approval by the Metropolitan Development Commission. Council, which is called out any of these proposals reconsideration. They will pass into law. Doesn't wish to call down any of proposals for we can consideration. Seeing none proposal numbers. 3.23 To 3, 27 2025. When a pass into law. The next item on agenda is special orders public hearing. And before we open the floor to public comments, I'd like to call a general counsel peers to view the ground rules for public testimony is adopted by his body. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. As we look to the public comment portion for these proposals, we would like to remind council members and the
for ground rules. These ground rules will allow everyone to have a fair chance to speak and be heard. And it is important that we all observed The ground rules are as follows. Number one, each speaker will be limited to 2 minutes from the time of those off your time is up. Number 2, any public comments reasonably relate to the subject matter of the agenda item under consideration. Number 3, speakers who stray from the subject matter of the item under consideration become unduly repetitious MAY be asked to move on to their next point or conclude their comments. Finally attendees to cause disruptions that prevent the council from proceeding through today's agenda in a reasonably efficient manner will be removed. Please remember that some types of threatening speech or incitement to violence are not
protected by the First Amendment battle. We will deal with those situations that they come up the week. We don't think that they will now MR. PRESIDENT upon adoption of these rules by consent of the members, we can proceed to public comment. All right. Thank you, counselor. Let's move on to items under special orders. Public hearing. And this next item on agenda. The supposed number 2.73, for administration and finance Committee CHAIRMAN Miscarry. Thank you. MISTER Chair MISTER PRESIDENT. 2.73 approves an additional appropriation of 20 million dollars and the budget in the 2025 budget of Department of Metropolitan Development, Public Works Office of Public Health and Safety consolidate its city. General capital asset, lifecycle in
development funds. The purpose of this funding is for homeless and MISS Initiatives and design of the public infrastructure improvements. It pass of the committee 9, 0, I so move. Motions and probably moved and seconded commissioner counselors. Council consent. Thank. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, very proud to say that we support this particular pop proposal primarily what it does for homeless. It helps with the second initiative regards to streets and homes and that portion about 5.9 million. We'll certainly be a good start in terms this second part of that initiative to make sure more. Folks who are homeless get per housing. So I encourage of adoption tonight. The counselor Brown. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. Yes, I want to thank my fellow councilors are fighting
for this fiscal ordinance. Housing is a human right and housing first policies like the initiative are both the most economically efficient and the most moral ways of dealing with the problem of homelessness. Without that's not lost on me. That without this ordinance, the Hawks administration would have created an unfunded program that would not showing to impress either our constituents or the state house that we have a viable path to solving the chronic homelessness in our city in the near future. So this funding is going to be lifesaving for so many people. I'm also grateful for at least a million dollars to be devoted to pedestrian safety. This year has been the deadliest year Indianapolis on record for cyclists. And yet our Vision 0 task forces fail to meet every deadline. It set for itself and we've ended up
in the full budget for 2026. With a vastly insufficient amount of money for keeping our constituents safe on our streets. 20 million dollars is a lot of money. It will do amazing work. I am sobered by the fact that this is an amendment to the 2025 budget coming in OCTOBER. And in the meanwhile, we're poised to accept a 2026 budget with the same flaws in it we saw last year. So urge my fellow councilors to vote in favor of this resolution. But more importantly, to demand a better budget process next year. That does not lead to the deaths of more people on our streets. Thank you. Go to any additional comments. I just want to thank council Nielsen for his leadership on this council. Nielsen has distinguished itself this term
this budget process. But thinking into the budget in a way provided a lot of leadership and guidance in particular, he and I and others prioritized ensuring that the dollars are there for this homeless initiatives. That will be voting on here here in a minute. The work that's been done to get this these dollars in the budget has been. Impressive and consistent and has been a partnership between the administration and the council in the time that I've been on the council, we haven't had that kind of. Long-term sustained engagement between the council and the administration prior to budget entry and concurrent with budget entry. So these priorities that are being raised today are really a result of the council expressing its priorities,
bringing them to the administration and getting there with all we have at this this amendment today. Thank you. Additional counselors. Seeing none. Is there anyone in the room with an interesting proposal? 2.73 My name is one rope I am 10 years and I am a 5th grader at The Oaks Academy. A 25 count showed that 1815 people in Indianapolis are experiencing homelessness. I support proposal 2.73 because every person deserves a safe place to stay. Hello, I'm harm mistreat. I am 15 years old and I go to to Decatur, Central High School and I would participate of girl talk about on par Academy. Many of her neighbors are considered chronically homeless. Homelessness is
defined by 12 months on House or 4 episodes of homelessness over 3 years, many of our chronic homeless also have a disability vulnerability, mental health issues or substance abuse problems. I support proposal 2.73 because it helps address these issues. Thank you. Well, I'm Corbin Haven or resident of Lawrence Township. And of course, I has said. Volunteer with the Indy Action Coalition. Of Course, to you, our support for the initiative. Is well documented. It banned well known. I also want to know that also want to note that yesterday afternoon I was at actually had a community conversation that church within and that Fountain Square. And an interesting issue came up regarding
chronically homeless youth, particularly 16, 17 year-olds. And usually those without pretzel guardianship. And this MAY be a state level issue that we need to race issue about. But it turns out these kit the 16, 17 year-old kids that are homeless and don't have guardianship. Cannot enroll themselves in school and they need parental. That parental authorization to enroll in school. So that is a massive gap in Indiana's emancipation. Was do not provide an adequate pathway for those homeless 16, 17 year-old youth without without principle figures to be able to be educated. So as we, of course, support these proposals. We should also in
the future think towards this massive oversight within both our city and state. Thank you. My name is Dominique hairs on the founder of Kbb Inc. I run a re-entry, sober, living home and today we just recently found out that one of the grants have run out of funding. So I have about 8. Offenders that will possibly have to be released back to the street, which is scary for all of us. I I do support them with mental health. Budgeting, understanding how thrive in society returning home from prison. And it just scares me that if I'm losing funding for the 8 that I have, I can only imagine the other re-entry houses that MAY be losing funding and where those individuals will go. They
would thrive alone along the rest of us, our children, our families, and things of that nature. So I am with proposal. 2.73 I agree. And I hope everyone else that as well. Good evening, everyone. I event marking founder Open Touch Out Reach Resource Center here in Marion County. We are a recovery community organizations certified by maintain at a thing to provide peer support services to individuals and families in our community who are challenged with mental health substance use housing, instability, food, insecurity, so on and so forth. We work every day. Derrick Lee in the streets of Marion County behind the lights behind the grocery stores in the alleys
to survive and individuals and families here. Babies literally here until 2. So I am here in support of POWs of to 73 among some other. Things on the agenda tonight ask that you all. Consider this. And then additional things. All right, seeing none. Let us proceed to the board for a vote. Don't know that I will be abstaining from this from this vote. My company, the company that I work for its performance while portion of this. Motion carries 24 Yays. One abstention. The next item on our agenda is opposing 2.75 reported Ministration Finance Committee CHAIRMAN Scary. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. Proposal 2.75 proposed an ordinance in Marion County, local income tax. Yeah. One to modify local income tax to modify the allocation of previous imposed expenditure
weight and 3 to cast a vote. The city County Council and such ordinance as committee niesr Iso move second. Motions and probably moved and seconded other Counselors. Seeing find if there's anyone in the room with an interesting proposal. 2, 7, 5, additional comments any comments from council that it's risky to the Motion carries. 22 to 3. Council Called proposal number 3, 0, 6, 2025 for public hearing on SEPTEMBER, the 8th 2025. And the hearing was subsequently continued due to possible withdrawal of the petition. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT on OCTOBER first 2025 at the Metropolitan Development Commission regularly scheduled meeting. The commission acknowledged the withdrawal of rezoning case 2025 8, 1, because the case no longer
exists. There's not a need for a public hearing. If there are no questions or comments for my fellow councilors, I recommend that we by consent acknowledge the withdrawal of rezoning case 2025 Cz and 8, 1, 4, proposal. Number 3, 0, 6, 2025. Consent to acknowledge it would roll. Very good. Thank you. There is no business and special orders unfinished business. So let us proceed. Now to the special orders. Final adoption. And this next item on agenda proposing 39 for metropolitan Economic Development Committee CHAIRMAN, thank you, MR. PRESIDENT proposal number 2.39, various sections of the revised code and penalty policy changes. Regarding enforcement and permitting within department of Business and Neighborhood Services and then it passed
and the proposal was sent to the full Council. Do pass recommendation, MR. PRESIDENT, I so Motions and probably moved and seconded of the Counselors. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, appreciate the need to raise fees and penalties as part of keeping a balanced budget and ensuring the city government maintains its ability to provide services. Obviously nobody wants to see increased fees slow down badly needed development. But I think that this resolution provides a fare increases that are reasonable and frankly necessary given the state of the budget and a particularly grateful for the ability for the director to waive fees for non profits that are creating affordable housing, which I think is the biggest need. We have. There are several things that I do think need to be increased far more than
ordinance does. For example, illegal dumping. The early numbers that the Department of Business, a neighborhood services shared show that even with the increases to the St the city will barely cover its costs when pursuing those illegally dump trash in the city. District. 13 has a huge problem with illegal dumping. I think I speak for the vast majority of my constituents. What I ask that we ensure that crime doesn't pay and that both enforcement and fees increase for this kind of light creating behavior. Just wanna make that comment. But that said, this ordinance does definitely move things in the right direction and I'm happy to vote for it. Thank you. Additional counselors. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, thank you. Counselor Brown for bringing district 15 about that legally dumping.
Because I'm constantly in constant communication with those at the pw about sending someone out there in district 15 to claim up. Trash from 38th and Post Road to 42nd and Post Road to admit Hall for. And so I just want to make sure that I am advocating trying to make sure that we are are that I am trying to make sure that the air you continues to stay clean. But thank you again. Cast a Brown for bringing that up. Bringing that good addition coming cut council heard. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I just want to raise awareness to, you know, we just got done talking about homelessness just a minute ago and, you know, one of the concerns that was brought to me by an organization and some of the
builders around town is that and even during the real estate crew of Costa Rising of Housing rises. So does the rate of homelessness. And it's something that we should be cognizant of when when passing cup of hot fees and fines and but not only penalties, but the permitting cost is the concern that I've heard a lot from the community as it pertains to this is that how will it raise the cost of housing? And, you know, it's something to be aware of when we do One thing that we should expect when raising these fees is a better service from the city, especially in the permitting side. So with that, you know, as we move forward with this vote the new thing that I would like to make sure we get out of the mayor's administration is a better level of services for the
builders. Indianapolis to help keep our cost them. Additional Counselors. Seeing mrc to the board Motion carries 23. 2, 2, The next item on the agenda proposing a 2, 5, 9, adopts annual budget for the city of Indianapolis Marion County for 2026. Deferred to 5 committees of the Council of the Public Hearing for this proposal. Well, now we see reports from the various committees beginning with CHAIRWOMAN Lewis, with the Metropolitan Economic Development Committee report. And following order under community committing actions on the agenda. And ending with CHAIRMAN Boots is a report from the Parks and Recreation Committee. CHAIRMAN Louis regarding the report from the Metropolitan Economic Development Committee. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT proposal number 2.59, and that's annual budget of the city of Indianapolis and Marion County
Fire Department, a metropolitan development. For fiscal year 2026, oppose a pass out of committee by a vote of 9 to 0. Regarding the report from the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT proposal to 59 2025. Adopt a new budget. Let's even America for 2026, the committee heard from public safety adjust agencies and departments over the last month and a half. The post safe to come just portion pets of the committee of the do pass recommendation, MR. PRESIDENT of a vote of 9 to 3. CHAIRMAN Jones regarding the report from the Public Works Committee. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT proposal number 2.59, 2025 Dopsie annual budget for the City of Indianapolis and Marion County for 2026 public works portion only. The motion passed out of committee with the do pass recommendation by a vote of 7
to 4. Thank you. CHAIRMAN CHAIRWOMAN Brown regarding the report from the Community Affairs Committee. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT on SEPTEMBER 29th, the Community Affairs Committee met to your proposal. Number 2, 59 2025. To listen to the er to vote on the Indianapolis Animal Care and control budget. It passed through the committee with an 8, do pass recommendation. CHAIRMAN Miscarry regarding the report from the administration and Finance Committee. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. And then a finance man and not a SEPTEMBER For the budget of 2026 and pass committee 8, 1, Thank you. CHAIRMAN Votes. We're going to report from the Parks and Recreation Committee. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT proposal number 2, 59 2025 and ups. The annual. Budget for the city of
Indianapolis and Marion County for 2026 parks and recreation portion. Only the parks committee met on SEPTEMBER 4th to hear the budget proposal and again, on OCTOBER 2nd proview analysis at that OCTOBER second meeting, the proposal passed out of committee 8 to 0. And so I move for passage of the 2026 budget. Geragos motions improperly moved and seconded. Council. Hard to believe you have a motion. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. I do. I've got a motion to amend proposal to 59 specifically what this proposal aims to do is move 2 million dollars from the Office of Public Health and Safety to the Department of Public Works specifically for a couple reasons. One is the preservation of urban forest is the primary reason
that I'm looking to do that. You know what money were intending to spend on pages is really intended to do a handful of things. It's meant to uplift communities, support mental health, you know, reduce violence increased community investment and what I know we can do with a 2 million dollar investment, at least and a lot of these areas by procuring these forces provide just that a nature preserve in any one of our backyards is a phenomenal place that will provide committee incentives to grow development opportunities that will attract developers that will provide opportunities for people to go to when they need one you know, walk through it support their mental health. And I know it's a tangible thing that we can invest in that will help these initiatives directly. And I will never have to question it. I also use opportunity to
show that, you know, now that we have and I want to give, you know, a lot thanks to cfo that with your help on this, it was very supportive. And it was a lot of work you put into it. But we do have the opportunity to amend budgets. This is the first time in 6 years I've ever seen a budget amendment. And if there's things that there's priorities that we want to set as a council and maybe you guys our you had the opportunities that about with the mayor's office. We did not. We were not it at your table having that conversation. And we were not, you know, we express things to the controller's office, but not at the same mobile you guys had so we had to do it this way. I had to do it this way and when I look at priorities are things that, you know, are sitting here in front of us. There's things that came from concern from
the police department vehicles that I haven't seen in this budget. And it's it was is easy. I don't say that lightly because that the cfo did a great job, but we can do it. We have the tools to do it. We are in control of this. We are the legislative body. But with that MR. PRESIDENT I move on proposal 2.59 to move those dollars from the Office of Public Health and Safety over to the Department of Public Works. So yeah. The motion to amend some probably moved and seconded of the comments and concerns. Comes around. Thank you. As PRESIDENT. I want to say thank you to heart for bringing this amendment. I think we city councilors are the physical body of the city and we need to start acting like it. I don't think it serves our constituents. Well, no matter what side of the aisle we
represent, if we're adopting the city budget, an amended year after year like Counselor Heart, I was not consulted for negotiations as part of this budget. And so I do very much here. I think it's a point well taken. It's not lost on me either that likely 80% of the public comments this body has received about the city budget for 2 straight years. Havard justified funding for urban Forest preservation. As such. I commend him providing. Some way any way to provide some funding for that incredibly important. A noble cause, however, I refuse to accept the framing of this issue that leads us to choose between incredibly important and impactful elevation grants, an urban forest preservation, the budget that we are contemplating amending its for 1746 impd officers. That's more than 300 more that we currently actually employ. All respect the hard work that
our officers provide, but we could easily move 2 million dollars from this funding source to urban forest preservation, leaving tens of millions of dollars remaining to pay for overtime pay for the hardworking officers of impd and leaving them with their excellent rates of starting pay. Unfortunately, I cannot in good conscience vote to further define the elevation grants that doing such good work of the city. I agree. I agree that it's vital for us to find funding for Urban Forest acquisition of preservation and the fact that this budget contains no funding for that is one of the many reasons I'll be voting no on the full budget. But I must also vote no on this amendment. Thank you. CHAIRMAN Butts. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. I just want explain my position this evening. I
applaud Councilor hearts efforts here. Very laudable. But what I do think this is the wrong place the wrong time for doing this. We spent 7 long months negotiating this spring, fiscal it and I felt proud to be able to secure 1 million dollars for for us in that effort. We spent the last 5 months working this budget. This last-minute disruption. I do not agree it. Took a long time for us to build that trust that we develop with the administration and we believe destroying that by disrupting the budgeted this 11th hour will destroy that trust in be harmful for years to come. However, I deeply committed to
forests. It's been one of my champion causes my side since my initial election and I propose a plan that I think we can get some buy-in on where we are looking at developing a non reverting fun to house the money and that will commit to be doing that soon. Look at getting money in the year and fiscal which would coincide with the timing now. So even though it's not in the 20's and budget cuts in the year and physical, the timing would be concurrent and also look at some type of structure, possibly reforming the Marion County Tree Board for purposes of monitoring that money, implementing that money in selecting the land for
acquisition purposes. For those reasons again. Well, and I talked with council this and I him with. Share his spirit in his heart. But I think this is a wrong time to do that. And I will oppose it. And I encourage others to oppose it as well. Cummings Council Gibson. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I think is it important to talk about how effective the elevation grants are? I mean, they they they really making a difference in terms of reducing crime in our city. I over several years that they MAY impact 65,000 people trying to further get them out of life of crime. And then to sell speaks volumes. I don't know how we could compare fours versus human life. I pick people from a very important. But the fact matter we talk touch and dollars that impact our public safety is it is a serious concern. And I encourage my colleagues to
vote against amendment. CHAIRMAN Of it. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT it should go. And the said as well that this is a process that we continue with this budget of picking and choosing winners. It's not that the elevation grants do need to be supported or the force. The line should be supported. It is a product that has been exasperated this year in part due to what happened on the other end of Market Street at the state capitol. No one talks about that. And don't know why we're not talking about it. This city lost millions upon millions of revenue dollars that touch everybody in this room. The state was willing to cut. Our tax revenue so they could go around and say they cut taxes but they didn't their own budget. And this is going to
be an exasperated situation of doing it. And I what I want to say today to the Forest Alliance, folks, is that currently still in this moment with this budget passing, there will be 4 million dollars. 1 million in the 2025 stormwater Fund for acquisition. 1 million in the 2026 stormwater acquisition. 1 million that this council passes a part of the spring for school and then 1 million out of one of our colleagues is 1 million dollars selections. So there's 4 million dollars available currently to be used. And we're not done as counter boots already shared. We are focused on moving forward adding additional funds this year. We are 100% committed to creating a fund for the first time in this city. That will begin to address this. So I
encourage my colleagues to no on counselor Paul Hart's Amendment. Birth. Counts are just a This money goes in the stormwater fund. Then there's money in their designated for this purpose. Now. When you're preparing this, did you get confirmation from the administration? They would use this money for this purpose or or as it stands in your amendment. Thank you, sir, for any purpose, correct? Yet as it stands, I could use it for whatever purpose. The intended purpose is to hold it there until we create the preservation fund and you negotiate anything with them that that would be maintained for that purpose know. So right now you're asking us to put money in that fund. With a hope it will not be a tricky as a public commitment to the people the that we would use it for the
intended purpose. Additional comes to CHAIRMAN Robinson. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT the few numbers MR. PRESIDENT says 2022, we've invested about 40 million dollars into the elevation grants to address the root cause of crime and build a safer community. We've reached 194 organizations almost 200 organizations benefit from these funds. That's a lot of orders as MR. PRESIDENT. Almost 70,000 residents a benefit from these flows of the last few years. With that, we've seen a 50% decrease of $0.50 3 keep decrease in criminal homicides. Pretty 2021. Placing national trends. So with these funds in support to failing the minute when impd we've seen a greatly decreased criminal homicide
efforts in our city. Well, Doctor Kelly's to please oppose this amendment and keep our streets safer. And Marion County, thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, MR. PRESIDENT, want to ask my my colleagues on the council. To join me in not supporting this amendment. Not only because he's taking funds from Office of Public Health and Safety, but this has the potential MR. PRESIDENT to hurt city, our efforts to keep our city safe over the last 5 has been mentioned. Indianapolis has seen a significant reduction in violent and property crimes and other areas of that spectrum. And that's due in part to the important role Phs plays more specifically those grassroots organizations that are in the business to treating the root causes of
crime. So I'm asking my colleagues to not support this amendment tonight. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT conserving. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, thank you. Counselor Heart for bring this amendment forward. I do have to little dizzy from the amount of spin going on in this room right now when it comes to what we're funding, what our priorities are. The simple fact of the matter is and we're all smart enough to see through this. That if you want to support for us, if you want to support support the preservation of forests in Indianapolis, you vote for the amendment. If it's not a priority of yours, which it's up to each council in their districts to decide what their priorities are. If it's not a priority of yours and i understand why he would vote no. But if you support preserving urban for us, urge
you to vote. Yes. Yeah. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT and I'll tell you one of the driving forces I have been I've been here coming for 5 years telling that we need efficacy reports and receive a preliminary one the other day in. You know, we quote, numbers on on homicides regularly. But the one thing that's continuously ignored by this council and also by the city administration is the number of aggravated assault trends in our city. And I urge everybody to start looking into this and I've got it. You can go to smart and you got to work and go to the day that haven't you can see how that is just been a complete up into the right growth. We're seeing over 7,000 aggravated assault incidents is a year with less 50% of those even
being cleared, meaning those incidents is nothings happening. Those people 2, 5, victim see justice. That's it. And we claim that we're seeing all this efficacy when I can clearly look at the fbi statistics and see that aggravated assault, a crime that is more indicative about the violence in our city compared to homicide because homicide doesn't happen every but aggravated assault happening at the rate of 7,000 a year. And that's what we're not talking about. What I'm here to tell you about it today. So want to quote numbers. Let's look at numbers that everybody is impacted by and aggravated assault or big number. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. Additional comments encounters. CHAIRMAN Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT present hip stand as I serve as ceo of a local not-for-profit.
comes from counselors. Consequently on the amendment or the budget, MR. PRESIDENT on the amendment. No comment on the amendment. Thank David. If there are no additional comments on the amendment. 2. Proposal to 59. Let us proceed to the board for our vote. The motion fails 17 and they Ys, 7 yeas and one abstention. Vice PRESIDENT Roundly have a motion. MR. PRESIDENT in order permit some counselors with personal interests in portions of the proposal. Number 2, 59 2025 to abstain on those portions. I moved to divide the question on the adoption of that proposal as follows question one, the appropriations for community development grants set forth in Section 4.0 1 b and and the Appropriations for Crime
Prevention grant set forth in Section 4 0, 1, at 4.0 and proposal. Number 2, 59 2025. Question 2, the appropriations for public purpose, Grant set forth in Section 4.0 one c of proposal. Number 20 to 59 2025. Question number 3, the appropriations for the Information Services Agency set forth in Section 1.0 5 d character. 3 proposal. Number 2, 59 2025. Question for the Appropriations for the Office of the Comptroller Human Resources set forth in Section 1.0, 0, 1, be 5 character, 3, proposal 20 to 59.0 25. Question 5, the appropriations for the Department of Metro Metropolitan Development set forth in Section 1.0 1 c character, 3, a proposal to 59 2025. Question 6, the appropriations for the Department of Public Works set
forth in Section 1.0 1 character, 3 proposal. Number 2, 59 2025. Question 7, the Appropriations for the Office of Public Health and Safety set forth in one 0, 0, one af character, proposal. Number 2, 59 2025. Question 8, the Appropriations the Marion County auditor set forth in Section 1.0 4 b character, 3, the Appropriations for election board set forth in Section 1.0 5, 8, character, 3, the appropriation for the Office of Marion County. Public Defender set forth in 1.0, 0, 6, feet character, 3 in the appropriations for Pacific Corporation counsel set forth in Section 1.0 1 b, character, 3 at the present 28 to 59 2025. And then question 29 is the balance of proposal. Number 2.59, 2025 and I so move. All right. Motions and properly moved and seconded
all in favor. Please signify by it. Any opposed nay. Because counties. proceed to the board for a vote on each question. The question one, the appropriations for community development grants set forth in Section 4.0 One b and the Appropriations for crime prevention grant set forth in Section 4 point. 0, one, the proposal. Number 2.59 MR. PRESIDENT. Thank you commission again to abstain from at question one. As I serve as ceo, but not for profit. Thank you very much. Robinson as PRESIDENT, quick note our colleagues said that the ag assaults data which take a look at that. I did look at that and we were down 23% since last it's also our chief, our men and women by doing a great job. So our our colleagues are seeing these numbers are off but are
aggravated assaults. From last year are down. 23%. Thank you very much. Thank you. Council Brown. Yes, MISTER PRESIDENT. With this being. Alright, time to present comments on the budget as a whole. I would like to reserve a bat until we're done with the questions. Welcome back to you. Company. Just like to remind distinguished CHAIRMAN That correlation does not equal causation in previous debate. good addition. Questions. Let us then proceed to the board for our vote on question one. Question. One is adopted by a vote of 17 yeas, 7 nays. One abstention. Question to the appropriations for a public purpose grants set forth in Section 4.0 one c
proposal. Number 2.59 The counselors. CHAIRWOMAN Louis, thank Missus Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT permission say. Councilor taking this PRESIDENT. Wish abstain from question to my employer, the Marin cultural for sushi Ange Association receives $150,000 Public Purpose. Grant from the city. The council Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I also need to abstain. I'm an unpaid board member of the Marion County Fair, which sees 150 $1000 Public Purpose. Grant. Very good. Thank you. Are they any comments on question? 2? Seeing that's proceed to the board for a vote question too. Motion carries 17 yeas, 5 nays and 3 abstentions. Question 3, the appropriations for the Information Services Agency set forth in Section 1.2, 5 d character, 3 propose a number
to 59. The Counselors. Yet, MISTER PRESIDENT on question 3. I need to abstain. The city engages in a a q pa that the state initiative with employer that I work for and the city has the ability to purchase offer that contract that I just want stage to make sure there's no connection between the employer. Very good. CHAIRMAN Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT serving as the chair of the ai artificial intelligence commission. We closely with I sa and hope to increase its funding in the years to come to support our movement into artificial intelligence. Therefore, I feel that's a conflict of interest severe acute voting. Question 3, very good. Additional Counselors. Question 3. Seeing Let us proceed to the board for a
vote. Question 3. Motion carries 17 yeas, 6 nays into abstentions. Question 4. The appropriations for the office of the Controller. Human resources set forth in Section 1.2, 1, be 5 character, 3 proposal. Number 2.59 The comments counselors. Consider Gibson. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT request permission to abstain from question for an employee, but and some insurance parents, companies, elements, health, and as you know, our benefits health admitted he's minister by help. And some thank you. Any additional. Comes from counselors question 4. Seeing Let's proceed to the board for a vote. question 4. 17 yeas. Motion carries 17 yeas. 7 nays. One abstention. Question 5, the appropriations for the Department of Municipal
Development. Set forth in Section 1.0 1, cair to 3 a proposal. Number 2.59 The comments encounters. Constantly. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I will be have seen from this vote due to a family member's employment. Thank you. German Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT I too, would like to recuse myself from question 5. Additional comments encounters. Seeing none. Let us proceed to the board for a vote on questions. Mrc to the board for a vote on question. Number 5. Motion carries. 16 yeas, 7 nays into abstentions. Question. Number 6, the appropriations for Department of Public Works set forth in Section 1.0 1 Kara, 203, a
proposal. Number 2.59 I will be abstaining from from voting on question. Number 6. The comments from counselors. Seeing none. Let's proceed to board for a vote. On question number 6. Motion carries 16 yeas, 8 nays. One abstention. Question number 7. Appropriations for the Office of Public Health and Safety set forth in Section 1.0 1 f character, 3, a proposal. Number 2.59 And as I did at the very beginning, I will be abstaining from voting on question. Number 7, the counselors. Cut some comic CHAIRWOMAN McCormick. MR. PRESIDENT, I the sheet that I'm reading off, does not match yours. And I'm wondering if we can get a clarification
on the questions. So my my question and numbers of 2 different documents and are not matching up. We have a correction. Thank you. Pretty good. Additional Counselors. It's Mrc to the board for a vote on question. Number 7. Question 7 adopted. 17 yeas, 7 nays. One abstention. The question 8. The appropriations for the Marin County auditor set forth in Section 1.0 4 b character, 3. The appropriations for the election board set forth in Section 1.2, 5 k 2, 3, the appropriations for the Office of the Marion County Public Defender set forth in Section 1.0 6 b character, 3 and the Appropriations for the Office of Corporation Counsel set forth in Section 1.0 one b, 3, Karen to 3, a proposal to 59.
Are there any counselors? Constantly? Thank you, MR. Be abstaining due to family members, employment. There's no other on question. Number 8. Lets see tenure for a vote. Question. 8 is adopted by a vote of 17 Yays 7 nays. One abstention. Question on a proposal. Number 2.59, which is voting on the balance proposal. Number 2.59 Council Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. This budget totally fails to meet the political moment. As our federal government is spiraling into fascism as our state governments slashing funding to the bone, my constituents have been crying out loud, been clearly that they want a bold vision of progress and forward momentum. Instead, we are contemplating now voting on a budget that keeps funding the sheriff's office even while they
continue working with ice were contemplating a budget that takes crayons away from children and our parks. Were contemplating a budget where we are funding hundreds of police officers who did not even exist rather than helping officers focus on what they do best at taking some of the burden from the shoulders. We are contemplating a budget that will see housing prices go up, streets get more potholes compared to this year and our constituents suffering get deeper and worse. This city cannot continue. Coddling billionaires, sports team owners well letting working people get more poor all the time. I also briefly wanted to address my fellow councilors comment earlier, which seemed to suggest that would be a breach of trust with Joe Hogsett administration. If we were to do our jobs as the
physical body of the city and move money for, we think it should go. I feel quite strongly that it is Mayor Hogsett was breached the public trust my constituents and you asking me to push not to beg for scraps from Joe Hogsett stable but to hold him accountable and push back. I cannot in good conscience. Vote for the budget tonight. Thank you. Councilors counselor hard. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT I not gonna reiterate every point earlier about. Making the community investment and for us. But I mean, it stands true. There are a handful other things. And I'm sure, Mike, you know, pro colleagues will pick up on. But by a large years, you know, things that I hear from my community day in day out. And I can tell you that East side, I'm sure the West and North side offer the same way of just a little neglect from the city. They don't see the attention to their roads. I don't see the attention to their trails and it's something that I'm constantly
fighting for. And I don't think this budget is adequate providing the economic investments in the east side in district 20 specifically, whether it's, you know, investing in community assets like forest or even maintain the level of trails that we have. But again, the people that use, I feel neglected. And I think this budget is is doing due diligence making them prioritize. So with that, I cannot support this budget. You know. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT in committee there were several committees voted no to and also several that I was very hesitant voting. Yes, and much of the comments made by counselors Browning heart. Tend to agree with. I think that while. In name and in Spirit, you know, you know, Gov since is that we might
unify our city and county, unfortunately, at the end of this budget process, I feel that our city and this enterprise under this administration is more siloed than ever in some ways, especially when it comes to working with our partners outside of the enterprise and even working with our friends in the various municipal course, corporations, health and hospital, the library and even indigo. And it is with the lack of investment that we see in law enforcement infrastructure, begging for scraps is very We had to beg just to keep and the grant funding 100 grant. We had to beg for 100 grand and that that's not ok. So with that, I won't be voting in support of the balance of the budget for 2026, thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. A council Nelson. Thank. Thank you, MR.
PRESIDENT. I don't want to sound tone death to the comments that have shown is your mic on. The spending, Mr. President of Okay, Mike's not He said I don't want I want I don't want to be silent or tone deaf to the comments that are made. But I think what's important to remember and the public policy process is that we have to. Actually engage in it. And so I hear those comments and I agree. I was looking at comments that I was planning to make last year on the budget and I was going to be pretty harsh. Instead, we chose to engage on it. Instead, we chose to be part of the solution and recognize that governing is very, very challenging and requires showing up in a lot of meetings. Both public and the nitty-gritty of behind the scenes work. And it's more than just showing up a few
times and being disgruntled, even one that is fair. Really kind of disheartening by some of the pictures that are being painted. When we have a number of very serious constraints. Nonetheless, do appreciate the comments of some my colleagues have made. I want to start off by thinking Council staff. My deep gratitude for their hard work and focus throughout this budget calendar. To my colleagues. For those who decided to have a commitment to this process and elevating priorities even further. And to the administration, including not just the mayor's a famine department heads but also staff across the city county enterprise for your collaboration over the past year as we continue to build a
better budget process. This collaboration has been necessary as the 2026 budget has not been without its obstacles. CHAIRMAN Into pointed out, sb One presented several challenges, most notably significant cuts to property tax revenues and future growth without or instead of providing local government the ability to provide targeted tax relief. Hoosiers who are experiencing the burden of property taxes sb One will continue to require the city to rely more heavily on income tax revenues first as property tax revenues supplanting a more stable and predictable source of revenue with a source more sensitive to economic conditions in the business cycle. Presenting a potential credit risk as well. It is my hope that our peers of the state house will see these very real challenges and take appropriate action to allow local government to meet mandate. I stand ready to help and discuss how we can work
together with our peers to address these issues proactively. And as I stated earlier, this spring. We're in the first step in phasing in and building a new Baseline Post sb One the next several years will present their own unique compounding fiscal and policy challenges. Notably continuing to meet our contractual obligations, leveraging a generational investment in infrastructure and reworking your income tax rate. Sb One. Another state policy changes created some imperfect outcomes, this budget package and the related fiscal proposals which we've started voting on. Does a number of items that I am particularly proud of and this council should be as well. Investments in infrastructure and pedestrian safety, flexible funding for
homelessness. Intervention, transitional housing in permanent supportive housing to take the most compassionate and humane effective and fiscally responsible approach. This issue continued funding for tenant and immigrant legal defense continued investment in support for force acquisition through the stormwater fun maintaining our commitment to support and improve snow fight plan. And finally respecting the dignity of work by funding union contracts and providing a cost of living adjustment for other employees. Again, I fully recognize that our constituents expect more. But I want to call out that this budget has a number of positives. Despite the constraints. However, as we look to the future, we must have a robust discussion and
debate on revenue and projected growth to follow through on our commitment to create and maintain a world-class city. And not just for those who come to visit, but more importantly, for the roughly 1 million Hoosiers to call the city home. But that is the work ahead. And I am as committed as ever to continue navigating these complexities with all of you and the administration over the next several years, a robust public policy process engagement is proof that government can work better for people. With that. I asked my colleagues to continue supporting this budget package and again, thank all of you who put so much work into this process. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. Good. Thank you. Council
Gibson. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT and I want to say my hats off to you, counsel and Nelson for your leadership, your your expertise and financial matters showed very well and we relied on you and your expertise. And so thank you for that. Overall 2026 budget is a pool of about 1.7 billion dollars we were faced deficit based on Senate Bill. One. Biden needs, but he's still we still came up with our priorities and made a difference to make sure that we could try to meet the basic needs of our residents and even even enhance what we could primarily want to thank mayor and is directors. Working very hard to make sure that dpw was intact. I know we talk a lot about public safety and public safety is great and we could have done more there
as well. But with stabilize public safety, department public works is essential to what our infrastructure in our streets and sidewalks. And we've got knows we need millions of dollars in area, but least we were able to hold that attack and die. Commend the mayor dpw for doing that as well as additional funding that we have and to help fund a fund homelessness and fight homelessness. You say key people get people off the streets and put him in Parma, housing, very proud of the work council leadership were with administration on get additional funding for streets to homes and making that face too much operational in terms of making it happen. Finally, back on the infrastructure piece. Want to thank the administration for trying to
get us ready for 20 20th. 2027 is what we get this additional 100 million dollars and fusion of cash to help with our streets and sidewalks and administration that stage in terms of get ready for that new money because state law, cars as they new money to get up to 100 million dollar match. So happy about that. I would encourage my colleagues to vote for his 2026 budget. Counterparts. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I do want to say thank you my freshman council Nielsen for his leadership on this. You proven to be and also to represent this freshman class is the best class I just want to say that. Thank you for your leadership on this on your tireless efforts and your hours that you put into to
lead us over the last what feels like 12 months on this budget process. Also want to highlight the PRESIDENT That it's easy to be social media celebrity. It's easy to make comments and social media about what's not happening in in the governance of for cities. Also easy to come into this chamber. And while the cameras are on to get your 5.10, seconds, leadership takes courage. Leadership takes engagement. And for us to lead effectively in this city. In Marin County, it requires us to engage this process has been a process that has allowed this council. Those of us that chose to do so to engage in the budget process as a product off the organizing world. I understand that social change comes from
both a push from the outside, but also leadership from the inside those of us that are collected to be on the inside part to lead from the inside. While those are advocate in from the outside mainland by saying that while I will support this budget tonight. I do not support the decision Sure. We have continue to engage with a share and he has made a decision. Our decisions that does not take courage but to support a system this morning when I woke up and watch, saw the news and cnn of what's happening in Chicago with ice and to know that our own share has made the decision to engage with ice. And so while my decision tonight is to support this over a budget, I do not support the decision of the Sheriff Department. Thank you,
sir. CHAIRMAN Of it. I think you had your hand. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. I cannot speak as elegantly as counselor Nielsen has done. This is a complicated, but so much of what has been said by those who don't support it and support it are correct. 2 things can be true at the same time. But the reality is we had to do the work and I want to focus in on. Though, the word that counts and, you know, years and that was constraint. It has not been publicly stated enough about what we were under with this budget. We knew that it was going to basically be garbage. Sb One. Started it off. Unfunded mandates from the state to us. That we didn't have revenue for. And prior to sb One, we had just done cba
with our public safety officials, our police, our fire, our dpw. That is thousands of employees that we said we need to give raises to and take care of. They took in defunded, health and Hospitals Corporation which cost this city 5 million dollars. They've be funded schools and everything else that you could possibly think of that has to have tax revenue to serve the public. It cannot be shouted enough. And then to hear the hypocrisy. But I have to listen to about set talking about crime and everything yet. You don't want to support the initiatives that we have done. And while crime is going down in the city, there's this fake narrative that wants to go across the country. That somehow every Democrat led
city is out of control. And I can't help but think that this past weekend's incident. Was a part of that. And boy, did the truth come out there. Some people believe that some This is not an easy budget. I'm friends with several people that are down there with the Forest Alliance. But we're talking about 10's of millions of dollars. Had the city of Indianapolis not been disrupted by the state of Indiana that we could have done more wet. To address the quality of life issues that face our city. I think council Nielsen boots and bar yourself PRESIDENT, mostly cfo Candace Greg Lee and that. Leader Louis. I think some ice point that I'm sorry. Know you're in those conversations you were
working on behalf of our city. With the enterprise trying to address 1.7 billion that would have looked a lot different. Had we not been a part of that conversation. So I really from the bottom my heart, thank you. We've done the best with what we have been given. We can do better. We absolutely know we can. And we're not done, as we've said about the Forest Alliance. We're going to keep pushing. But there's also some truth to be had about the revenue and the funding of city government and what the state has done and let me not forget. 50 million dollars that we have to match in road funding when we know it's our money anyways. If you live in this city, you're already paying for. And now we've got to take it out of the general fund, not dedicated road funding, the general fund that could be used for force that could be
used for homelessness. And a holistic, a group of other things to match our own dollars. That is the craziness that is going on. And that has put us in this position where nobody's happy. Nobody's going to an after party when we vote yes or no on this. It's tough work, but it's real. I drive the same roads. So I'm getting on it. Apologize. I'm done. Thank Just just inspired by council Nelson's comments about the policy and process, which I know is not the most inspiring thing. But I do want to mention. When years ago I worked for the Indiana student Disability and community, which is a policy organization that I knew that works with people
with disabilities, advocate policies that support them in living independent lives. And one of the things I did was I got a grant to prepare information to teach people disabilities, self advocates how to advocate within the budget process. We already did training within the legislative process and I learned we consulted with former Lieutenant Governor Kathy Davis and she explained to us and laid out one of the most important things to do is to be involved in the budget process during the budget process because that's where a lot of the decisions when the budget is actually submitted, have already happened. And so taking that inspiration by working on behalf and closely
with people with disabilities and giving them the education training and information they needed to advocate for budgets. We did the same thing over this last year. We didn't take no for an answer. We made sure we are at the table and thing about the budget and that's why the spring fiscal had money in it for for Forest preservation. That's why does bring fiscal had money in it for Vision, 0. That's why this budget money in it for Asian 0. That's why this money has this budget has money in it for homelessness because unless you engage and let you roll up your sleeves, sharpen your pencil and make sure you're at the table. You don't we got results this time. And I want to thank everyone for working hard to get there. Some of our priorities really got a lot of attention and what make sure they get
implemented and can't get out across our city. Thanks. You could just come counselors council. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. Thank you. Counselor Nelson and every one PRESIDENT Biden and the merits that administration and MADAM Leader, Luis Father, hard work that you all put this year. Of course, last year I came on board and I was in middle GOD prepare budget season. I will say this year was slightly different for where last year it seemed like the administration and the council was back in for him. It was like, okay, where do we land that? But this year, the transition was everybody seemed like they were on the same page for what was dealt to us because the sb One help that, you know, with the
funding being cut out in. Had the effect of sb One played a big part is counselor missing. You did say that there was a lot of constraints for what we had and it definitely was councilor heart you grant that the East side is not getting any work. I will come I will say today. That. Eastside can considering everybody was trying to out what's considered the price. It the east side, but I will say that the site is starting get a look. We're starting to get the quality of life plan. So we're not the forgotten child. As we move forward. We were just on a call last week counts. The grays was on that same call with me. So we are moving forward with the quality of life plant as well at their own 42nd and post Roe, which the tenant Harris was a blight that last building came down last
Thursday morning, which is a big deal for the Far East Side. We're also looking at John Marshall right there at 38th and post 38 than men, half or a game. That's a big deal. Also you have the blue line. I'm not sure who district that is Washington Street. So again, I just want to point out some of the things that is movie this move in the Far East side or the East side, whatever district, you know, whatever district, you lie it like we talked about looking at Deb intent, 4 counts. The graves area. So we are we're not forgotten and has since I've been on the council. Yes, you know, the rose. I've heard about the been very big about the gun
violence reduction strategy. And so I continue to advocate for that, but I will be voting for this budget tonight. But like how solar Perkins, I am this by the sheriff's office the way he handled that committee meeting few weeks ago or last month because because I come from the organizing were in every elected official is supposed to meet with every organization and every constituent, rather is good, bad, indifferent are ugly. But the simple fact that he say I chose not meet with them because this was going to be the same result. Even if you felt like it was the same result, you still should have
met with every constituent. And then the simple fact in Chicago. They're right next door, 3 hours away from us. The panda now where you MAY end up it. What if that happened to And that came here, we have to be able to look at that to say, hey, you know, we got a partner that could come over here and happened to our our constituents that live here. So sheriff, but that's the on the part that I had a problem with this budget for where we were. So I will be voting in support of the budget. But the sheriff's portion will hopefully that we can continue to have conversations around what that would look like as we move forward. Thank you. Additional comments because there's counseling. Thank you very much, MISTER PRESIDENT to acknowledge all those who
participated in the budget process, staff from multiple agencies and departments, administration of the council offices, cetera. It is hard work. There is no question about that. And I would not underscore the many long hours and days that they put in knowledge also that there are provisions within the budget that are positive like to collect collective bargaining agreement to have been mentioned. Some infrastructure I would be remiss not to acknowledge that there are pieces of the budget that that are good, that it doesn't have to be all good or all bad. However, I do believe that the budget grossly under funds responsibilities like public safety infrastructure while potholes, plake or city streets, violent crime routinely makes national headlines. And I don't think we can sign off on a budget
that continues to do that. Nothing demonstrates this disconnect more than the refusal to fund one of one simple request from the impd police chief on behalf of his officers, new police vehicles. Instead we chose to divert funds to broken bloated programs. That lack transparency in results while leaving first responders and others without the tools that they need and deserve. We will continue to work and try to bring solutions in a bipartisan way. We do have a history of working across the aisle and we continue and will continue to work to do that on behalf of the constituents that we serve. The residents that work in call, Indianapolis home. But we can't and will not continue to be a rubber stamp of failure, which I believe this. But this budget in trying also
acknowledge that every issue that this city faces, every problem that exists within the city is not a result of what's crossed market street. All of our issues are not because of the general Assembly. It is not because of the legislature and I think it's time that the city take some ownership and the responsibilities instead of punting those across the market street. I think a lot more would be accomplished if that were the case. Thank you. COUNCILMAN. Thank you, MR. Infrastructure is by far the number one issue. For me in the number one issue I hear from constituents have been on this council longer than liked one committee meeting that I sit on with then, you know, that's
the case. It's probably 95% of all my constituent correspondents every day. Residents in my district and across Indianapolis are asking the same question. When will our roads get better? Unfortunately, this budget is yet another example to Garrett, who's our roads will be worse next year than they are today. I'm hopeful going into the budget season next year after work with our state legislature. This past session to secure the 50 million dollar matching program for local roads. We will hear in this chamber talk about doing work. O let's talk about the historic investment coming to Indianapolis roads from the Republican super majority in the General Assembly. I went down there, met with them and now look additional 50 million dollar match that also
mandates additional fundings from our own budget to roads. That is something we should have done years ago. Yes, we should use general fund dollars to fix roads and Indianapolis. I 100% support that I look forward to seeing the 50 million dollar match implemented some 2027. But the reality is right now, this council still hasn't met the moment this budget fall short. This is also a critical opportunity for the council on this administration to address the revolving door of crime in our city. This budget continues to carte blanche fund, the prosecutor's office that more interested in plea deals than justice and judges who send repeat offenders back out onto our streets instead of putting them where they belong behind
bars. Lastly, we talk about revenue issues. Let's let's be very clear. Senate Bill one unless property taxes means more money in the pockets of our constituents, which I support. But if the super majority on this council things, we have revenue issues than we can raise revenue. I won't vote for but its disingenuous to sit here and act like your hands are tied and blame others. When you hold all the cards in your own hands, you can raise revenue if you feel like you need to do so. I don't know if it's lack of knowledge. You can do that or if you want to look to the state to raise taxes for you to shield you from that vote, are you lack the courage or what? But their options out there for you again, I won't support it. For these reasons and others that have been
mentioned might even still we mentioned tonight, I'll be voting no on this budget. Council. Kim. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT 2 echo some of counselor Nissan Building Council veins comments there are there are certainly positive things in this budget fact, if anything, I'm most critical, as I said committee that I think the public works budget should be even bigger than it is I I appreciate the work that's gone into this of this process. I would I do want to especially coal out cfo here is for. The the extra work and analysis and data she's been able to pull sort of on the fly. We've got more transparency and more deep diving in previous cycles. But it causes me great concern. I think tonight is is a prime example that we can have. Brought, I think even unanimous support on the fall
for the school and to have dispute over the budget itself. And I think the core of that is that there are things that operational icing in the budget that. Probably should be wish list items. And then if I can coin a term for fiscal rising things that should be in the budget themselves to come back with a full fiscal of 15 million dollars for dpw with things that have rob bipartisan support like the Vision, 0 work. Really should be in the operational budget in the first place not being caught up with the fiscal later And I think we should take things out of the budget. And then if things go well next year and we have a fiscal. Then we buy those wish lists items. So for those reasons I won't be supporting the country
tonight. Thank you. Accounts of Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT for that brief opportunity to respond. I just wanted to call out some of the gas lighting that I've seen presented here this evening. I heard multiple counselors say that you have to show up to the meetings to be taken seriously. Gee, I wonder why I wasn't at those meetings. I work for my constituents and my constituents were invited to the meetings they held behind closed doors to keep the public out. And in fact, the people who made those comments were the ones who voted to kick to a critical comments out of those meetings. Democratic leadership continues to only allow me as a full-time counselor to sit on 3 committees while Democrats are choosing to give every single Republican on this council, at least 6 seats, that is a political choice and it's a political
choice to disenfranchise the constituents that I represent. Multiple counselors also made comments that we've been seeing know, homelessness, funding. No road funding, know Vision, 0 funding without sustained engagement from this council. What does that tell you? Does that mean that the mayor is doing nothing at as he certainly is not in this room to advocate for his budget. That's because he knows he'll be hounded evidence that we're for them and being him to resign. I that our congressmen point of order, constituents are smart enough to this commentary that I think Mayor. So MISTER PRESIDENT, we can't allow that to 2 per start since the mayor for his counselor. She does it time after time. Mean, after meeting we can to let that happen. Inappropriate. Some professional. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, thank you very much. Council Gibson. Call the
question MR. PRESIDENT. All those in favor. Unfortunately, we call the question. Any opposed. Open on the board. Green to call the question green to call the question Customs PRESIDENT Call the question. There's no discussion on the call question. I want to make sure that folks, folks see what time. Motion carries. We will go to vote Sunday. You had a comment. I'm hoping it's not related where we I think it's an important thing to discuss for MR. PRESIDENT, the question is called we have vote. Unfortunately, the 2026
budget counselors. The question on. Of people that have an opportunity. And I think the question called PRESIDENT Do that accounts work? That's that's outrageous. All right. Let's go to the board for a vote question. 9 proposal to 59 voting on the balanced proposal to 59. Question 9 is adopted. vote of 17 yeas, 8 nays. The next item on agenda is proposal number to refer to municipal Corporations Committee CHAIRMAN Evans. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT with consent. I'd like to take proposals to 82 to 83. 2.84 To 85 2.86 To you unfortunately, I'm sorry. Go Yes, let's just one of So it goes to a 2. Proposal to 82 adopts the operating and maintenance
budgets and tax levies of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. establishes said appropriations for the Municipal Corporation for 2026. Some of this PRESIDENT. Motions and probably moved and seconded that they're coming counselors. And I will say that I will have to recuse. So I've from this vote comes from counselors, CHAIRMAN Thompson. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, we have to stay as well. Our company has a contract with the in an upset reported already. Great. Thank you. Council Delaney. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I will seen as well due numbers and payment. accounts accounts conservation. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I do have to say as a council for the southwest side of Indianapolis that the Indianapolis Airport authority is a shining light of what's
best about our city. They're great community partner to have them proud to have majority of the footprint of the airport and district. 21, one of the I want to say and I think it's unfortunate has to be said on airport discussion. But it seems this council has taken the approach that weather of harassment survivor or just someone that wants to oppose what going on in this city. If you're a dissenter, you will be silenced and you will not have a voice that this council that's very unfortunate. Additional Counselors. All right, seeing none. Let us proceed to the er for a vote on proposal. 2 ages. So can you. Motion carries 22 yeas. And trips engines. Proposal. Number 2.83,
referred to municipal Corporations Committee Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT proposal to 83 adopts the operating and maintenance budgets and tax levies of the capital Improvement Board of managers. And establishes appropriations for the Cip for 2026. This past the do pass recommendation 9 to 0. I so The motions and properly moved and seconded. I will be abstaining from this vote comes from counselors. Consequently Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I just want to thank the Cip for their continued support of the arts. Thank you. CHAIRMAN Thompson. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT coming we work for has a subcontract with the company wants to see it. very cause of the lady. Thank you, MR. President will be firm spoke to remember
Mont. Additional counselors. All right, seeing none to the board for a vote proposals to 83. Motion carries 21 yeas, one nay and 3 abstentions. The next item on agenda. Suppose a number to a municipal corporations committee CHAIRMAN Evans. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. Rosell Tuna proposal. Number 2.84, adopts the operating and maintenance budget as well as the tax levies for health and hospitals Corporation and establishes appropriation for them. The vote for 2026, tend to 0 do pass recommendation. Some of Most of probably moved and seconded. The council counselors constantly. Thank you, MISTER PRESIDENT. It seemed about it to the family
member employment. going in additional Counselors. Seeing none of those receiving board for a vote on a proposal to 84 Motion carries 23 yeas one nay. One abstention. The next item on our agenda. Suppose another. 25. We've this before. Patients committee, CHAIRMAN Evans, I will be abstaining from this vote. Coming you, MR. PRESIDENT proposal to number 2.85, adopt operating and maintenance budgets and tax levies for the Indianapolis, public Transportation Corporation, better known as Indigo and establishes appropriations for him to go for 2026 the past with do pass recommendation p to 2 and so move Motion's improperly moved seconded. Other comments, counselors. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT we have from this vote due numbers, employment. CHAIRMAN Grace, thank you, MR. PRESIDENT a position say, please.
This accounts accounts. CHAIRMAN Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT I, too, was abstain from a vote relative. Indigo. Just a comment. Counselors. All right, seeing none of us proceed to the board proposal to a 5. Motion carries 16 yeas, 5 nays and for sanctions. Next item on agenda is a to 86 refer to municipal Corporations committee, Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT proposal number 2.86, adopts the operating and maintenance budgets and tax levies of Indianapolis, Marion County, Public Library and establishes appropriations for. The Library for 2026 pass. Do pass recommendation 9 to one. I so move. Moos has been properly moved and seconded. The comments and counselors comes around. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT. I want to say I'm a gigantic fan of the Indianapolis Public Library. The buildings are pleasant visit the books. Acts like to
read, but it is obviously the people who work at the library make the whole organization run. For reasons that the library cfo could not clearly articulate a municipal corporations. The labor issues and to assign bonuses in a way that increase inequality among library staff, contrary to how they assign. But it's just last year for that. I would ask everyone in the audience to go back and watch them in municipal corporations committee meeting interview the budget presentation of the library's leadership gave this year. We saw numbers that didn't add up and it took substantial conversation to even get leadership acknowledged that unlike the Cip, the library's budget should not require massive shifts between what is budgeted and what is spent each year. It's pretty predictable. Everything I've seen suggest some troubling mismanagement of the budget and mismanagement of union
negotiations. So I reluctantly forced to vote now. Thank you. Additional counselors. Seeing none. Let's proceed the vote for both proposal to 86. Motion carries 23 yeas, 2 nays. Next item on agenda proposing 2, 8, 7, referred administration and Finance Committee CHAIRMAN. It's going. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT proposal 2.87 Urges the Indianapolis Light company dva a b, a s Indiana and the Indiana. Are you in the end you to love the regulatory Commission? Protect the taxpayers are repairs by withdrawing any. Yes raises. And passed out of committee 9, 0, Which isn't probably moved. And second of the Customs. Thank you as PRESIDENT, I'll be brief but certainly share the similar sentiments that I shared with members in committee and its essentially
that and a lot of these conversations are to drive during the data center discussions and have just really been exemplified since then. You know, folks are really bringing to my attention. There's multiple community conversations on this and we're in a position where we have to look at beyond Indianapolis with a lot of what we're seeing with investments from and the world of technology and data centers. And, you know, we mentioned Senate Bill one. I mentioned that a lot when I was having this conversation as well. But even we mention the price of groceries, everything, gas, it's all it's all more expensive. And so good conscience, I think, you know, we as the largest representative body of people in the state of Indiana outside of the at least in the municipality setting. You know, we represent about a
million people are close to a million people and the objective of this proposal is to send a message both to 80 s but also to the you are seeing the governor that the folks who represent can't take another increase in another facet of their life and it with the passage of this. This will send and urging the U.S. To withdraw their petition if they fail it urges the u r c to vote no against their petition and then in doing so at the passing of this, a little bit to the iu rc and the governor's office showing the position of the representative body, the people of I for your support on this proposal for those reasons. Just a comment because it's a thank you very much, MR. PRESIDENT, I just wanted to counselors part in vain and those who have co-sponsor, this read this in committee
for their support. I think this is a great pose lessons. The right message to certainly my constituents. And I think right message to those who will be significantly making these decisions. And so with permission from the sponsors, I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I would also love to be added as a co-sponsor. This resolution, if that's acceptable. But my role as a counselor and due to my role as secretary of the Board of Citizens Action Coalition, I've rally because it was that supporters to submit testimony in front of the utility Regulatory Commission. For the Office of Consumer Council earlier this year. And as I testified yes, has just badly failed in its duty to rate payers. Honestly,
its rollout of a new billing system was the worst I've ever seen. Even as a former technology consulting myself earlier this Yes, reporter that 49% of its customers that receive disconnection notices and worse. The Financial Times is now reporting the 80 s is considering selling its company to BlackRock. This resolution does not have the force of law behind it, but importantly, sends a message that the political leadership of Indianapolis stands opposed to out of state profiteers, enriching themselves at the expense of our constituents. Further asked my colleagues to work with me in the future to explore the option of using revenue bonds attempt to purchase a yes, Indiana and run as a cooperative rather than allowed to be run by private equity. They'll be more conversations to comes
for now. Thank you. Addition, comments. CHAIRMAN Moves interment. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I just want to throw my support behind this proposal I had signed on as a co-sponsor right out of the gate because I think this not a political issue. definitely a public humanity issue. I find it quite. Outstanding that a yes would think it's reasonable to go for a rate increase the middle of having a rate increase and then even supporting new Google Data center when they did not even have the capacity support the center. And we all know somehow they would pass the cost on to us. I'm a whole
heart heartedly behind this. It is something that in my opinion, utilities should never be for-profit education should never be for profit. Those are basic human human needs that should be done through some co-operative program of some sort. So I wholeheartedly agree and encourage the passage of this proposal. CHAIRMAN Of that. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, I still I'd like to be entered as a co-sponsor as well and think Council heart counts are being encounter. Boots for the work on this. I would also I totally agree with counselor Jesse Brown and his comment and what counts are boots just said. I think the city should explore the opportunity to purchase that and prevent it
from being sold to Blackstone for-profit when this is something that we absolutely have to have to function in society. It's ridiculous. And I think we need to move on that. And this is leadership that we need today. Thank you. Additional Customs. German CHAIRWOMAN McCormick. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT, if it's I can I would like to be out as a co-sponsor not on that had been in finance committee, but I did see this come up and although it doesn't have the weight that we would like. I think that the urgency and the I guess, collaboration and message from the city needs to be that we cannot have additional funds. I've had actually multiple emails from constituents about this specific situation. I get
a lot about roads, but this. But actually I was surprised how many e-mails have had over the last few months about the rate hikes and how this is going to negatively impact folks on the West side and all of our city. And we need to make sure that we are protecting our folks because if if our power goes out, if we don't have our power, our housing condition isn't going to be good. And then that falls into disrepair. And so it's just a snowball effect from So please, allowed, I would like to be as co-sponsor. Thank you. think you very much additional Counselors. All right, seeing none. Let's proceed to the board for a vote on proposal. 2.87 Motion carries 25 0. No call to
order. The police Special Service District Council to consider proposal number 2. 56 2025. Proving the tax levy rate for the police special service district for 2026. CHAIRMAN Robinson. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT opposed to 56 2025. Approved tax levy, the rate for the police but his service to 2026 proposal, administrative in nature and says the tax, a levy for the special service districts. These Rays are in Levy's are included in the full proposal, full paws of the committee, MR. PRESIDENT to do pass recommendation to a busy road. I so move. Motion's improperly moved and seconded other coming from customers. Seeing none that especially the board for a vote. Motion carries 25 to 0. No call to order that fire Special Service District Council to consider proposal number 2, 5, 7, approving a tax levy and wait for the fire Special Service District.
2026, CHAIRMAN Robinson. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT proposal to 57 2025. Who's a tax levy rate for the first special service district 2026, this is the same time administer. The proposal was applause of the fire District. Pass of the committee to do pass recommendation by a vote of 12 to 0. I so move. Motion probably moved and seconded by the comments of counselors. Teen and let's proceed to vote for them. Was a 2, 5, 7, Motion carries. 25. Call to order the solid waste Collection Special Service District Council to consider proposal number 2, 5, 8, 2025 approving the tax levy rate for the Salukis Collection. Special Service District. 2026. Sharon Jones. Thank you, MR. PRESIDENT Rosen number 2, 58 2025 a prison tax levy and rate the solid waste collection. Special Service district for
2026. The proposal passed out of committee with the do pass recommendation with a vote of 11 to 0 MR. PRESIDENT I summit. The motion of the problem moved and seconded of the comments of customers. Seeing none. Let's proceed to vote for a vote on proposal. Number 2, 5, 8, Motion carries. 25. Just want to thank you. Counselors, committee chairs, council staff Department heads and CFOs in the Office of Finance and Management. For all of you were doing this budget process. The City County Council is now reconvened. Vice PRESIDENT Brown has a motion regarding tonight's pass and budget related ordinances. Vice PRESIDENT Brown, Mr. President. Because of the complexity and interrelated calculations of the budget proposals and amendments just adopted. I move that the general counsel chief financial officer and chief administration, it's
been a straight of officer are authorized with the concurrence of the Office of Financial Finance and Management. Correct? In technical for computational areas in the budget ordinances and resolutions as necessary to accurately reflect the actions of this council. I so move. The motions and probably moved and seconded. Other comments were counselors. None of that, especially the board for a vote. Motion carries 25 to 0. There is no business of a new business next item on agenda is a. His announcement and adjournment. Well, as the PRESIDENT Adopted, just like that. Residents are 10 seconds unfortunately. Unfortunately, no, We need to finish up tonight. Police hold a hearing next year. Minds are made up so that we don't waste our time coming present our input
thank you. We need to be engaged talking to agenda for this meeting of council have been completed or the chair will now entertain motions for adjournment. MR. PRESIDENT chair recognizes leader Marie. PRESIDENT. I've asked offer the following motion for adjournment, counselor Nielsen. Never is saying games by memory of Florence k and k Vo you see Patel and or DECEMBER accounts of a number of Charles, Charlie James Kerr, but council Lewis and memory Peggy and headache, spin. MR. PRESIDENT I would like to move the German this meeting of the Napa City County Council in recognition of and respect for the life and contributions of those persons I hear specifically named I respectfully ask support of fellow councilors for the request of the motion made part of the permanent
records of this body and that a letter bearing the council see on the same for the PRESIDENT. He said to the family of each person advising of this action. Thank you, Leader Mary hearing no objections. The motion see their Christmas ordered hearing for the