Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee Meeting - August 12, 2026

Note: The agenda listed the meeting date as August 12, 2026, but the raw transcript stated "Wednesday, August 7, 2026." This summary uses the date provided in the instructions (August 12, 2026).

The Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee of the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council met on August 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room. Chair Leroy Robinson presided. The committee considered three appointments and received budget presentations for the 2027 fiscal year from four agencies.

Consent Calendar

• Proposal No. 211, 2026 – Appoints Elizabeth White to the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team – Ms. White, President of the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault, expressed her desire to serve on the board to help understand and prevent domestic violence fatalities. Councilor Wills asked about the link between domestic abuse and violence; Ms. White noted the complexity of family violence and the need for community-wide intervention, including economic and educational supports. She was approved by voice vote (all ayes).
• Proposal No. 236, 2026 – Appoints Raymond Powell to the Marion County Community Corrections Advisory Board – Mr. Powell, a certified peer recovery coach and executive director of a nonprofit focusing on re-entry, shared his lived experience and professional background. He discussed the importance of accountability and public safety. Councilor Grays asked about courts partnering with re-entry organizations. Mr. Powell highlighted the need for better communication and support. Approved by voice vote (all ayes).
• Proposal No. 247, 2026 – Appoints Kimberly Stowers to the Citizens' Police Complaint Board – Ms. Stowers stated her belief in police accountability and the need to build trust between police and the community. Councilor Delaney requested to be a co-sponsor. Approved by voice vote (all ayes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tori Ann Everett, Executive Director and Founder of the Bros Foundation – He spoke during the Superior Court hearing, noting that some eviction cases are being filed in Superior Court instead of small claims court, which he believed increases the court's burden. He suggested directing cases back to small claims where township trustees can assist. He also questioned the drop in the drug treatment diversion fund budget, noting it dropped from nearly $30,000 in 2026 to one-tenth of that in 2027. Presenters responded that the diversion fund is based on revenue collections and that changes in fund classification accounted for the reduction.
• During the Circuit Court hearing, Mr. Everett again commented on evictions, praising the judge's youth outreach but advocating for legislation to keep evictions in small claims court. Judge Collins responded that state law gives landlords the choice of venue, making a legislative fix necessary.

Discussion Items

Marion Superior Court Budget Presentation (Holly Fellows and Christine Kerl)

• The court operates 36 courts in three divisions (civil, criminal, family) and has a Legal Resource Center that has seen over 50,000 visits since 2022, averaging 1,550 visits per month in 2026. The Family and Youth Intervention Center (FYI Center) has helped 418 children and families since opening, diverting youth from the juvenile justice system. The court's 2027 operating budget is $74,686,975, an increase of $187,454 from 2026. Revenue is generated from court costs, fines, and probation fees. The court partnered with the Office of Finance and Management to collect unpaid fees. Indigency determinations are made for criminal cases, with fees zeroed out if determined indigent. The budget includes decreases in some grant-funded areas but increases for contractual obligations and the FYI Center.
• Councilor questions: Councilor Wills asked about the FYI Center's needs and the impact of AI on self-represented litigants. Councilor Delaney asked about the decrease in character one salaries (explained as grant funds not received). Councilor Hart asked about case backlog and indigency statistics. Councilor McCormick noted a minor rounding discrepancy in the budget binder. Councilor Graves asked about eviction collaboration with township courts.

Marion Circuit Court Budget Presentation (Judge Amber Collins Gebrehiwet and Holly Fellows)

• The circuit court handles Title 4D (paternity and child support), civil torts, tax sales, name changes, and specialized driving privileges. Filings have increased significantly, with name/gender change cases projected to exceed 1,000 in 2025 (up from 483 in 2023), and 98% of litigants are self-represented. The court runs a youth outreach program with zero cost, involving about 100 students annually. The 2027 budget is $1,297,145, a decrease of $9,969 from 2026. Revenue from Title 4D reimbursements ($129,116.87) goes to the county general fund. Character one budget decreased by $32,860. Character two decreased by $2,000. Chargebacks in character three are primarily for technology and building rent.
• Councilor questions: Councilor Wills asked about chargebacks. Councilor Mowray asked about revenue figures and requested more data on youth outreach numbers. Judge Collins provided details on school visits and class sizes.

Marion County Coroner's Office Budget Presentation (Coroner Alfie McGinty)

• The office investigates all deaths in Marion County (homicides, suicides, accidents, etc.). Staffing is 40.51 FTE with a 2.5% vacancy rate. Community engagement efforts include distributing gun locks, NARCAN, and other harm reduction supplies. Drug intoxication deaths have declined for the third consecutive year. The office received its first international accreditation and is pursuing dual accreditation. The 2027 budget includes $3.82 million in personnel costs. Revenue projected at $502,200 (1% increase). The office has received opioid settlement funds for free mental health resources. The office ranks as the 10th most populous coroner jurisdiction in the U.S., and second among standalone elected coroner offices.
• Councilor questions: Councilor Mowray asked about the impact of accreditation on grant eligibility and about the Netflix show "Cause of Death USA" featuring the office. Councilor Boots asked about retaining forensic pathologists and the cost of locum tenens. Coroner McGinty explained the national shortage and the cost-effectiveness of contract pathologists. She also clarified the legal obligation to perform autopsies on out-of-county deaths if the injury occurred in Marion County.

Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency Budget Presentation (Richard Amberger and Ian Vipperman)

• The crime lab provides forensic support for public safety, including crime scene processing, DNA analysis, drug identification, firearms analysis, and latent prints. The lab is accredited and participates in national databases (CODIS, NIBIN, APHIS). Staffing is 76 FTE (reduced to 75 for 2027). Turnover rate increased to 16.7% (12 staff) in 2025–2026. The lab reduced its backlog by 49.7% to 1,428 requests, with average age down 77.8% to 78.1 days. The chemistry section lost three experienced staff in six weeks. The lab is in the 96th percentile for NIBIN sites (17th out of 439). The 2027 total budget is $13,247,950, an increase of $479,181. Grant funding is uncertain; the lab may enter 2027 without grant-funded personnel and insufficient supplies. The lab relies on grants for overtime, supplies, and equipment.
• Councilor questions: Councilor Mowray asked about the character two shortfall (estimated need of $900,000–$1 million) and exit interview reasons (residency, pay matrix, limited upward growth). Councilor Delaney asked about the NIBIN ranking (attributed to both high volume and fast turnaround). Councilor Delaney also asked about the FTE reduction impact. Councilor McCormick asked about the chemistry section departures and grant timing.

Key Outcomes

• All three appointments (Proposals 211, 236, 247) were approved unanimously by voice vote.
• The committee received the 2027 budget presentations from the Marion Superior Court, Marion Circuit Court, Marion County Coroner's Office, and Forensic Services Agency. No votes were taken on the budgets; they are part of the broader budget review process.
• The Forensic Services Agency highlighted a potential funding shortfall in character two and uncertainty about federal grants, which may require additional appropriations later in the year.
• The committee heard public comments regarding eviction case filings and drug treatment diversion funding, with responses from the presenting agencies.
• The meeting was adjourned after the final presentation.