Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee Meeting - August 17, 2026

The Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee of the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council met on Monday, August 17, 2026, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. The meeting covered three consent calendar items and budget hearings for the Marion County Surveyor's Office, the Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD), and the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS). All proposals were approved unanimously, and the budget presentations were received for discussion.

Consent Calendar

• Proposal No. 240, 2026: Reappointed Craig Von Deylen to the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals, Division II, for a term ending September 14, 2027. Von Deylen, a licensed architect and developer, has served on the BZA for 8–9 years and is chairman of Division II. The motion passed unanimously.
• Proposal No. 241, 2026: Appointed Allein Patton Hickman (Pat Hickman) to the Greater Virginia Avenue Corridor Economic Improvement Board for a term ending September 14, 2029. Hickman is pastor of Fountain Square Presbyterian Church and has been active in the community. The motion passed unanimously.
• Proposal No. 239, 2026: Designated a portion of East 19th Street from Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue to Hillside Avenue as the Pastor David Lee Memorial Way. Councilors Gibson and Graves sponsored the resolution, which honors the late Pastor David Lee of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church for over 63 years of service. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On DMD Budget: Tori Everett, a resident, commended DMD for the ULI housing conference and urged consideration of tying job commitments from tax abatements more directly to Indianapolis residents. No other public comments were made on the other agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Marion County Surveyor's Office Budget Presentation: County Surveyor Debra Jenkins presented the 2027 budget of $1,166,116, a net increase of $1,505.70 from 2026 ($10,000 increase in county general fund, ~$9,000 decrease in the Perpetuation Fund). Revenue estimated at $563,720 from statutory fees, including $5 recording fees and $500 Harrison marker fees. The office has 10 authorized positions, 9 filled, with one vacant surveying technician. Key priorities: modernizing GNSS surveying equipment, replacing aging fleet vehicles, and expanding workforce development through the HELP program (sending two employees per semester to Vincennes University). Councilors asked about fee structure and self-sufficiency; Jenkins noted that government-to-government services are free by statute. The committee received the presentation.
• Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) Budget Presentation: Director Megan Vukusich and CFO Lucas Anderson presented the 2027 introduced budget of $105,846,047, a 17.2% increase ($15.5M) driven largely by grant funds. Key highlights: 92% staffing level (93 FTEs), 10 divisions, 2026 accomplishments including launch of Streamline Indy development portal (reducing intake turnaround to <2 days, docketing to <10 days), People's Planning Academy (120 applicants, 99% completion), first DMD housing conference (200 attendees), and UFA status for Continuum of Care program. Affordable housing (44.1%), economic development (20.3%), and homelessness assistance (19.5%) account for 83.9% of the programmatic budget. Grant funds total $91.4M (86.4% of budget), including $15M one-time Twin Aire redevelopment grant from the state. Local funds increase modestly by 0.2%. Councilors discussed new market tax credits, housing delivery system (catalyst sites: former Women's Prison, Oak Tree, Black Mountain), vacant-to-vibrant program (65 lots sold in 2026, goal of 70 in 2027), and the relationship with IEDI. The committee received the presentation.
• Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) Budget Presentation: Director Abby Brands and CFO Eva Flick presented the 2027 introduced budget of $23,314,541, a 6% increase ($1.4M) from 2026. The budget is split between two funds: Consolidated County ($11.98M) and new Building & Construction Fees fund ($11.34M) per HEA 1001. Personnel costs increase by $1.3M due to 3% COLA, step and grade, and a reduced attrition rate (from 17.79% to 5.9%). Highlights: 10 vacancies (4.7% vacancy rate), 20,055 permits issued YTD, Streamline Indy improvements (non-residential structural permit time reduced from 62 to 47 working days), 32 alley segments rehabilitated (27,492 feet), 107 structures demolished in 2025, and introduction of vacancy cases (67 opened YTD). Councilors discussed demolition of the Bacon Apartments (39th & Emerson), illegal dumping enforcement, special event ordinance updates, and the need for better data on short-term rentals. The committee received the presentation.

Key Outcomes

• All three proposals (240, 241, 239) were passed unanimously by the committee.
• The budget presentations for the Marion County Surveyor's Office, DMD, and BNS were received for discussion; no votes were taken. The committee will consider these budgets as part of the full council's budget process.
• Councilors directed staff to follow up on specific issues: demolition of the Bacon Apartments, expansion of the vacant-to-vibrant program, alley maintenance, and improvements to the special event ordinance.