OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Admin Finance Committee Approves Bailey Appointment & Election Center Lease on Feb 10, 2026

City-County Council — Tuesday, February 10, 2026
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionCity-County Council
DateTuesday, February 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 35:42

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good evening.

0:03

It's 5 30.

0:05

In room 260, we're going to do the admin finance meeting.

0:09

Um start out with our introductions to my left.

0:13

Thank you, Mr.

0:14

Chair.

0:14

Brian Mowra, District 25.

0:17

Thank you, Mr.

0:17

Chairman.

0:18

Mike Dilk, District 24.

0:20

Thank you, Mr.

0:21

Chair Renee Allen, District 15.

0:24

Thank you, Mr.

0:24

Chair Nick Roberts, district four.

0:27

Thank you, Chairman Dan Boost, District 3.

0:29

Good evening, Chairman Miss Gary, Councillor Krista Wells, District 11, West.

0:34

Good evening, Frank Mascarry, District 19, and our Madam President is walking in the room.

0:45

It's very very locked.

0:46

We tried to unlock that.

0:47

Go ahead.

0:49

Mr.

0:49

Nielsen.

0:50

Here it is.

0:52

Thank you, Mr.

0:53

Mr.

0:53

Chairman.

0:54

Sorry to be a few minutes late.

0:55

Andy Nielsen, District 14.

0:58

Good evening, Maggie Lewis, District 5.

1:03

All right, we have a short agenda.

1:05

Two proposals.

1:06

Proposal 34 and proposal 35.

1:09

First up is proposal 34 appoints the mayor's appointment of Christomer L.

1:15

Bailey from the chief of Deputy Mayor.

1:17

Mr.

1:17

Bailey, you you have the the uh floor there.

1:21

Have a seat.

1:24

Thank you.

1:25

Well, thank you for stepping up and doing this.

1:28

You're going from one big enterprise to another.

1:30

Uh you don't need to tell us about anything about us.

1:34

We all know you.

1:35

So that means I can't.

1:37

Are you prepared to do what you're getting ready to do?

1:39

Yeah, I'm uh you know a lot of people are gonna lie to you.

1:42

Yeah.

1:43

Since you're ex-police officer, you're gonna be able to see that.

1:46

So yeah.

1:47

That's my only advice.

1:48

You know, I'm always lied to.

1:50

So like tell you tell yourself to tell the audience a little bit about yourself there.

1:57

Good evening, everyone, and uh, Mr.

1:59

Chairman, thank you.

2:00

And for those watching online, my name is Chris Bailey.

2:03

It's an honor to be here before you as I take the next step in my career of service to the people of the city of Indianapolis.

2:09

First, one I I want to acknowledge something obvious.

2:13

I come to this role from a different path than any chief deputy mayor or chief of staff before me.

2:18

I'm the first sworn police officer officer to serve in this position and to help the mayor lead from inside his office.

2:25

Because of that, I think it's important to share not just why I'm here, but how I see the future of Indianapolis and the role I hope to play in it.

2:34

My commitment to the city is deeply personal.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Personnel Matters████████████████████████████28%
Elections█████████████████████21%
Public Safety████████████████████20%
Public Works████████████12%
Election Procedures██████████10%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Procedural████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Admin Finance Committee Meeting – February 10, 2026

The Admin Finance Committee of the Indianapolis City-County Council convened on the evening of February 10, 2026, to consider two proposals: the appointment of Christopher L. Bailey as Chief Deputy Mayor/Chief of Staff, and a 10-year lease for a new Election Service Center. Both items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • A council member (unidentified) offered brief congratulations to Mr. Bailey on his appointment and stepping into a new role, noting the learning curve involved. No other members of the public spoke.

Discussion Items

Proposal 34: Appointment of Christopher L. Bailey as Chief Deputy Mayor

  • Mr. Bailey, former Chief of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) with 27 years of service, introduced himself and outlined his vision for the role. He emphasized a holistic approach to public safety, collaboration with the council and state partners, and focus on affordable housing, infrastructure, and quality of life.
  • Council members expressed strong support. Councillor Rose commended his communication and community engagement; Councillor Mallory (a co-sponsor) noted Bailey is a constituent; Madam President questioned how he would ensure alignment between mayor, council, and department heads. Bailey responded that he believes in working behind closed doors to present a unified front to the public.
  • Councillor Nielsen asked whether Bailey could be objective regarding IMPD budget decisions when other city needs may outweigh public safety. Bailey affirmed that public safety remains the mayor's top priority, but he understands the importance of other priorities and will be objective.
  • Councillor Roberts inquired about economic development priorities, particularly housing. Bailey cited the need for more housing at all levels and opportunities from IUPUI and Purdue expansions.

Proposal 35: Lease for New Election Service Center

  • Clerk Angela Manship and Patrick Becker, Director of Elections, presented the details. The proposed new facility is at 51 Coyiba Lane, east of downtown, with 56,000 square feet (15,000 office, remainder warehouse). The 10-year lease with a single five-year renewal option includes a 2.6% annual escalator, totaling approximately $5 million over 10 years. The current facility near Washington and Sherman has safety and space issues.
  • Councillor Nielsen questioned the length; the city's real estate representative confirmed the maximum lease is 10 years with one renewal.
  • Councillor Lewis asked about budget impact; the 2026 budget already includes first-year rent, and future increases are manageable until year five, when budget adjustments may be needed.
  • Councillor Roberts asked about the Lawrence Township early vote site; Becker said a site visit is planned, with a March 6 board deadline for the vote center plan.
  • Councillor Cioe raised concerns about renting when the city may have excess properties; Becker explained that existing city properties were unsuitable (e.g., loading dock too small, safety issues). Cioe noted the lease includes a termination clause for lack of appropriation.
  • Councillor Rose asked about renovations for accessibility; Becker said some build-out is included in the lease (floor refinishing, new carpet, parking addition), but concessions were made to keep costs down. Move-in targeted for July 1, 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • Proposal 34 passed unanimously on a motion to recommend approval to the full council.
  • Proposal 35 passed unanimously on a motion to recommend approval to the full council.
  • The committee meeting adjourned after the votes.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. It's 5 30. In room 260, we're going to do the admin finance meeting. Um start out with our introductions to my left. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Brian Mowra, District 25. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mike Dilk, District 24. Thank you, Mr. Chair Renee Allen, District 15. Thank you, Mr. Chair Nick Roberts, district four. Thank you, Chairman Dan Boost, District 3. Good evening, Chairman Miss Gary, Councillor Krista Wells, District 11, West. Good evening, Frank Mascarry, District 19, and our Madam President is walking in the room. It's very very locked. We tried to unlock that. Go ahead. Mr. Nielsen. Here it is. Thank you, Mr. Mr. Chairman. Sorry to be a few minutes late. Andy Nielsen, District 14. Good evening, Maggie Lewis, District 5. All right, we have a short agenda. Two proposals. Proposal 34 and proposal 35. First up is proposal 34 appoints the mayor's appointment of Christomer L. Bailey from the chief of Deputy Mayor. Mr. Bailey, you you have the the uh floor there. Have a seat. Thank you. Well, thank you for stepping up and doing this. You're going from one big enterprise to another. Uh you don't need to tell us about anything about us. We all know you. So that means I can't. Are you prepared to do what you're getting ready to do? Yeah, I'm uh you know a lot of people are gonna lie to you. Yeah. Since you're ex-police officer, you're gonna be able to see that. So yeah. That's my only advice. You know, I'm always lied to.

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