Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee Meeting and Budget Hearings - August 13, 2025

The Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee of the City-County Council met on August 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. Chair Leroy Robinson presided. The committee considered Proposal No. 243 (Commissary Fund Report) and held budget hearings for the Marion Superior Court, Marion Circuit Court, Marion County Coroner’s Office, and Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency. No public testimony was offered from the audience.

Proposal No. 243 – Commissary Fund Report

• Deputy Chief Kelvis Williams (Marion County Sheriff’s Office) presented the quarterly commissary fund report as required by HEA 1208 (effective July 1, 2025) and Indiana Code 36-8-10-21, covering January 1, 2025 to July 1, 2025. Councilor Hart asked about a recurring $1,500 monthly charge to "Gasoline Alley Rental LLC" – Williams explained this is for garage space used to store ATVs, bicycles, and motorcycles owned by the Sheriff’s Office. Councilor Hart also inquired about the timing of report delivery; staff noted it was submitted in July after the previous committee meeting. The committee accepted the report without a vote.

Marion Superior Court Budget Hearing

• Presentation: Judge Marc Rothenberg and Finance Director Holly Fellows presented the 2026 budget. Total proposed budget: $74,499,520 (increase of $698,051 from 2025 adopted, primarily due to grant fund increases; county general fund request flat). Highlights: the Legal Resource Center since June 2022 has logged over 34,000 visits, averaging 1,500 per month in 2025 (up from 900 in 2024). Community service work program provided 32,994 hours in 2024 (cost benefit $239,208); 2025 six-month total was 11,041 hours ($80,047 benefit). Kiosk probation check-in program handled 9,551 check-ins in 2024; over 1,600 clients per month use kiosks, equating to 12 probation officer positions not needed. The Family and Youth Intervention Center (FYI) at 2401 E. 25th Street (funded via opioid settlement and grants) began renovations and licensing.
• Discussion: Councilor Mascary asked about grant cuts – Judge Rothenberg confirmed a 13% cut to state grants for problem-solving courts. Councilor Boots inquired about eviction cases; Judge Rothenberg explained they are centralized in Court 33 (Judge McMath) for consistency. Kiosk locations: Chief Curl noted $14,000 per kiosk per year needed to expand to all townships; currently funded by Superior Court, townships provide electricity/internet. Councilor Bain asked about the "revolving door" of criminal justice – Judge Rothenberg defended judicial discretion and the constitutional presumption of innocence. Councilor Bain also raised juvenile records access; Judge Rothenberg confirmed ongoing meetings with IMPD Chief Bailey and stated the legislature has created a state repository. Councilor Mascary questioned due process for Hispanic individuals being arrested without hearings; Judge Rothenberg affirmed the rule of law requires due process. Councilor Hart noted limited court time for city prosecutor civil violation cases (currently 4 hours on Wednesday mornings) and suggested more resources may be needed. Judge Rothenberg said any increase in judicial officers must be based on the weighted caseload system.
• Outcome: No vote on budget; hearing only. Committee requested a detailed breakdown of grant-funded programs.

Marion Circuit Court Budget Hearing

• Presentation: Judge Amber Collins-Gebrehiwet presented. Total proposed budget: $1,307,135 (decrease of $20,135). The court handles Title IV-D (child support) and civil divisions (8.5% of county civil cases), including all name/gender change cases (projected over 1,000 in 2025, up from 483 in 2023). Title IV-D reimbursements returned $108,815 to the county general fund in 2024. Community outreach: youth mock trial program with local schools and IFD summer camp.
• Discussion: Councilor Bain asked about fees/fines – Judge Collins-Gebrehiwet stated the court does not impose fines (civil only, filing fees may be waived for indigent litigants on a case-by-case basis). On a high-profile child welfare case, she declined comment due to ethical rules. Councilor Mascary asked about due process for Hispanics – the judge affirmed everyone is entitled to a hearing. Councilor Boots asked about case allocation between circuit and superior courts; judge explained the weighted caseload system and biennial division plans. Councilor McCormick suggested partnering with local universities for internships to help with navigator workload. Councilor Graves commended the youth program for improving community perception. Councilor Hart noted the employee benefits line jumped 75% from 2024 to 2025 (from $164k to $289k) and another 40% in 2026; the judge explained this reflects standard county benefit cost increases.
• Outcome: Budget hearing only; no vote.

Marion County Coroner's Office Budget Hearing

• Presentation: Coroner Alfie McGinty and Mallory Malczewski presented. Total proposed budget: $7,595,316 (reduction of $228,401 or 3%). County general fund decrease of $428,239 (15%) in uncontrolled operational budget. Character 1 increased 5% for COLA/health insurance. Character 2 cut $75,738 (35%) – reduced funding for small office equipment, photography supplies, uniforms, safety supplies. Character 3 cut $294,638 (9%) – funding for forensic pathologists and lab/equipment repairs reduced. Character 4 cut $17,889 (57%) – autopsy equipment and fleet replacement. Revenue initiatives: charging outside counties for autopsies and diligent fee collection for records requests. Grants: Overdose 2 Action federally funded at 60% for 2026 (unknown amount); COSSUP unknown; Health First Indiana partnership with MCPHD; Opioid Settlement funding deputy coroners, social workers (TBD), family advocate, and mental health vendors. Agency successes: data modernization, reduction in overdose deaths for two consecutive years, social workers/family advocate program. Community outreach: gun lock distribution to prevent child accidental shootings (3 in 2023, 4 in 2024, 3 YTD 2025 under age 5).
• Discussion: Councilor Mascary commended the annual report and new facility. Councilor Boots praised the unclaimed decedent ceremony; coroner noted she has been invited to other states to share the program. On budget impact of reduced homicides: McGinty said fewer homicides reduce need for pathologist autopsies and court testimony. On duplication of opioid settlement services: McGinty stated the coroner's cases are unique and they follow up with referrals. Councilor Perkins thanked staff for professionalism at death scenes and asked about pathologist staffing – McGinty reported 5 regular contracted pathologists plus locums (costing about $600,000 annually) due to national pathologist shortage. Turnaround time: autopsy within 48 hours; complex cases up to 8-12 weeks. Councilor Graves noted a 35% increase in suicides in 2024 – McGinty attributed it to untreated mental health issues and lack of resources. Councilor Hart asked about residency requirements: McGinty supported removal to widen applicant pool (currently must submit letter for case-by-case exemption). Councilor McCormick asked about virtual testimony for out-of-state pathologists; McGinty said parties must agree and she coordinates schedules with prosecutor's office to have locums testify during their on-site weeks.
• Outcome: Budget hearing only; no vote. Committee acknowledged operational challenges and potential need for additional funding in 2026 if case volume spikes.

Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency Budget Hearing

• Presentation: Director Richard Amberger and COO Kyle Swalls presented. Total proposed budget: $12,768,769 (decrease of $12,519 from 2025 adopted). 20% ($2.58M) from federal grants. County general fund: $9,930,907 (slight decrease due to lower-tier health insurance selections). Agency is allocated 75 FTEs (71 filled; 4 vacancies). Demographics: 72% female, 80% White, 20% BIPOC. Successes: completed 11,989 analysis requests and analyzed 62,289 evidence items in 2024; full reaccreditation with zero findings; received Project Foresight Maximus Award (top 14 of 220 labs). Grants: the agency is awaiting decisions on multiple federal grants applications pending for months; if funding is reduced, may eliminate grant-funded staff positions (sexual assault and firearms cases) and have insufficient supplies. Goals: reduce backlogs by 20% by year-end, continue DNA outsourcing, complete firearms section training (with IMPD assistance).
• Discussion: Councilor Mascary noted a multi-layer communication gap between law enforcement/prosecutors and the lab regarding adjudicated cases – Amberger agreed and said there is no systematic alert. Councilor Boots asked about rape kit backlog – Amberger said each law enforcement agency manages its own kit inventory; the lab tests what is submitted; IMPD sends some kits to a private lab (Bodie); others may remain stored. Time does not invalidate kits. Councilor Hart asked about residency requirements – Amberger supported removal; he has successfully used the new process for firearms examiners but had difficulty for a DNA technical leader. Councilor Perkins asked about firearm technology advances – Amberger said novel approaches (serial number on firing pin, electronic locks) are not yet reliable; firearms are simple tools. Councilor Boots commented on the residency exemption process: Amberger noted the budget book includes a specialized skill set provision, but he has only gotten exceptions for a few firearms examiners.
• Outcome: Budget hearing only; no vote.

Key Outcomes

• Proposal No. 243 (Commissary Fund Report) was accepted by the committee.
• All four budget hearings were informational; no votes were taken. The committee will consider the proposed budgets in future meetings.
• Several council members expressed support for removing residency requirements for specialized positions (forensic scientists, deputy coroners) to improve recruitment.
• The Coroner's Office and Forensic Services Agency flagged potential operational disruptions if federal grant funding is delayed or reduced. The Superior Court noted a 13% cut to state grants for problem-solving courts.
• The committee requested the Superior Court provide a detailed breakdown of grant-funded programs and the Coroner's Office to continue coordinating with the prosecutor's office to minimize travel costs for out-of-state pathologists.
• Councilor Hart indicated he will introduce a proposal to address residency requirements legislatively.