Public Works Committee Meeting - August 14, 2025
Public Works Committee Meeting - August 14, 2025
The Public Works Committee of the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council met on August 14, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room. The meeting covered ten traffic-related proposals (246–255) and the 2026 budget presentation for the Department of Public Works (DPW). All proposals were advanced to the full council with unanimous do-pass recommendations. The budget hearing featured detailed presentations from DPW Director Todd Wilson and CFO Sam Barris, followed by extensive council discussion on road funding, staffing, and future capital plans.
Consent Calendar
- Proposals 246, 247, 248 (Intersection Controls): Authorized intersection controls at 56th Street and Haverford Avenue (District 7), Lynhurst Drive and Mooresville Road (District 21), and Acton Road and Southeastern Avenue (District 25). Moved by Councilor Bain, seconded, and passed unanimously (all ayes).
- Proposals 249–255 (Speed Limit Reductions): Authorized 25 mph speed limits in Canterbury Neighborhood, Forest Hills Neighborhood, Buck Creek Village and Cedar Park subdivisions, Diamond Place subdivision, Boulevard Manor subdivision, and Kessler Park Neighborhood; also a 30 mph reduction on Michigan and New York Streets from State Street to Emerson Avenue (District 13). Moved by Councilor Roberts, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the meeting.
Discussion Items
- 2026 DPW Budget Overview: Director Wilson and CFO Barris presented a comprehensive budget, highlighting a $257.4 million total operating budget (a $10.8 million increase from 2025). Key revenue sources include gas tax (forecast $86.4 million in 2026), solid waste user fee ($32/unit), and stormwater user fee. The budget includes a 2.6% COLA for bi-weekly employees and a 3% increase for union employees per the CBA. Staffing has improved to 88% filled (out of 810 budgeted positions), up from 84% in 2025, with no new FTEs but reallocations to trails maintenance (14 FTEs) and pavement markings teams.
- Capital Plan: The transportation capital plan totals $1.087 billion over five years, including $279 million in 2026. New state legislation (HB 1461) provides $50 million annually in state matching funds, requiring $50 million in new city revenue starting in 2027. The plan also includes a $10 million supplemental appropriation for emergency strip patching in 2026. DPW is adopting data-driven project selection using a pavement prioritization algorithm (PCI, traffic volumes, MAC complaints, crash data).
- Residential Streets and Road Funding: Councilors Bain, Evans, and others raised concerns about the adequacy of residential street funding. The current annual investment in residential streets is approximately $16 million (including $8 million from the state and $8 million city match). Councilor Evans noted that the 2020 asset management study estimated annual needs of $752 million for all streets (pre-COVID/inflation). Councilor Boots asked about sidewalk funding, and Director Wilson confirmed no dedicated sidewalk budget exists beyond projects attached to road reconstruction. Councilor Evans urged that a portion of the $50 million city match be directed to residential streets.
- Tox Drop Program: An additional $300,000 in ongoing funding was included for 12 extra Tox Drop events per year, plus $100,000–$200,000 one-time costs for a new east-side drop-off site.
- Fleet and Equipment: A $1.2 million increase in operations equipment budget for snow trucks, pavement marking trucks, and street maintenance equipment. Additionally, $2 million from spring fiscal was used to order 14 one-ton snow trucks, doubling the fleet of such vehicles.
- Vision Zero: The Vision Zero Action Plan is under development, with public comment period closed July 31. DPW is focusing on policy changes and pavement marking improvements. Councilor Nielsen requested updates on implementation.
- Staffing Challenges: Councilor Bain asked about the impact of the residency requirement. Director Wilson stated that eliminating residency restrictions would be beneficial for hiring, especially for highly specialized engineering positions. Councilor Gibson noted over 1 million residents in Marion County and suggested qualified employees exist locally.
- Community Powered Infrastructure: The program (50-50 cost-share) has 11 projects installed in 2025, with applications closing August 31. Councilor Lee expressed frustration with delays in projects from 2022-2023 appropriations, citing a sidewalk project in the Town of Clermont that has not yet begun construction.
Key Outcomes
- Proposals 246–255 were all advanced to the full council with do-pass recommendations (unanimous votes).
- Budget Hearing: No vote was taken. The committee received the 2026 DPW budget presentation and will continue review. Councilors requested additional analysis on projected lane miles for strip patching and resurfacing, to be provided as part of the review and analysis process.
- Next Steps: The full council will consider the traffic proposals. The budget will proceed through the council budget process, with further committee discussions expected. DPW will bring its snow response plan to the Board of Public Works in the fall and to this committee later in the year.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. And welcome to our public works communic committee meeting for August 14th, 2025. We will begin with introductions of counselors at on the bottom row to my left. Thank you, Madam Chair. Mike Dilk, District 24. Thank you, Madam Chair. Josh Bain, District 21. Thank you, Madam Chair. Brian Mowry, District 25. Thank you, Chairwoman Andy Nielsen, District 14. Thank you, Madam Chair Nick Roberts, District 4. Madam Chair, Ron Gibson, District 8. Thank you, Chairwoman. Jessica McCormick. District 16. Good evening, Chairwoman Jones. Krista Carlino, District 11, West Side. Thank you, Madam Chair. Dan Boots, District 3, Washington Lawrence Townships. Thank you, Madam Chair, Councillor Jarrett Evans representing District 17. Thank you. And I am Kristen Jones representing District 18. With consent, I would like to hear proposals number 247, 246, 247, and 248 together. Good evening, Nathan Sheets, Department of Public Works. And I've got uh 10 proposals before you this evening. Starting with proposal number 246, 2025. This authorizes intersection controls at 56th Street and Haverford Avenue, District 7. Proposal number 247, 2025 authorizes intersection controls at Lynnhurst Drive and Mooresville Road, District 21. And proposal number 248, 2025 authorizes a change in intersection controls at the intersection of Acton Road and Southeastern Avenue, District 25. And if you have questions about those three proposals, I'll be happy to try to answer them. Any comments or questions from counselors? Anyone in the public who wishes to speak on proposals number 246, 220, 247, or 248. Councilor Bain. Thank you, manager. Uh I motion that we move proposals 246, 247, and 248 to the full council with a do pass recommendation. Okay. It's been moved and seconded to send proposals number 246, 247, and 248 to the full council with the due pass recommendation. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed say nay. The ayes have it. With consent, I would like to hear proposals 249 through 24 255 together. Thank you. Thank you. Proposal number 249, 2025 authorizes a speed limit reduction to 25 miles per hour. In the Canterbury neighborhood, that's District 7. Proposal number 250, 2025 authorizes a speed limit reduction to 25 miles per hour. In the Forest Hills neighborhood, district seven. Proposal number 251, 2025 authorizes a speed limit reduction to 25 miles per hour. In the Buck Creek Village and Cedar Park subdivisions, that's District 22.
openpublica.com