Public Safety Committee Meeting – September 2, 2026: Budget Hearings & Sheriff's Quarterly Report

The Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee of the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council met on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Public Assembly Room. The committee considered Proposal No. 248 (accepting the Sheriff's 2026 Second Quarter Report) and held budget hearings for the Marion County Clerk’s Office, the Metropolitan Emergency Services Agency (MESA), and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for the 2027 fiscal year. Public testimony focused on inmate phone and video call access.

Consent Calendar

• Proposal No. 248, 2026 – Directed the Council to accept the 2026 Second Quarter Report from the Marion County Sheriff, as required by HEA 1208 (2025) and related statutes. After a brief question about a printing glitch (resolved by checking the digital copy), the report was accepted without objection. No formal vote was recorded, but the item passed as part of the consent agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anna Thomas (Validist Movement) expressed disappointment that the sheriff’s budget did not expand the pilot program from one free phone call per week to three, stating that phone calls are a lifeline for families and support systems. She shared her brother’s experience with addiction and incarceration, and urged continued conversation on including more free calls.
• Ladessa Sparks (justice-impacted advocate) emphasized that family connection is a public safety investment. She described the burden of costly calls and video visits, and argued that free communication helps maintain relationships that support successful re-entry.
• Jessica Inholt (Validist Movement) spoke from personal experience of incarceration and having a child while inside. She noted that free calls would relieve family financial burden and help individuals set up their own re-entry support.
• Sheikh Devante Gilbert Bay (Validist Movement) criticized Sheriff Forrestal for not following through on earlier commitments to expand free phone calls. He also raised concerns about the lack of transparency and oversight of the commissary fund, stating that the sheriff could not say how much revenue it generates or how funds are specifically allocated. He called for an oversight board.
• James Wright (local entrepreneur) suggested that instead of increasing overtime for jail staff, the department should increase PTO and mental health resources for both staff and inmates. He noted that some jail areas lack functional tablets and that vendors may not deliver promised services (e.g., access to books). He advocated for more library books to support mental health.

Discussion Items

• Proposal 248 – Sheriff’s Quarterly Report: Councilor Wells noted a printing issue with the hard copy (last pages distorted), but after confirming the digital version was correct, no further comments were made. The report was accepted.

• Marion County Clerk’s Office Budget (2027):

  • Clerk Kate Sweeney-Bell presented a budget increase of ~$765,000 (from $5.5M to ~$6.3M) driven by adding 10 FTEs (from 84 to 94 of a possible 115), 1% COLA, insurance increases, and recreation of positions. The office has collected ~$39M in fees/fines this year and had over 270,000 interactions.
  • Councilor Delaney asked about the fluctuation in staffing (from 115 down to 84). The clerk attributed it to unfilled positions being defunded by the controller, attrition in lower levels, and the need to rebuild to functional levels.
  • Councilor Graves asked if the office’s revenue collection (court costs, bonds, child support, etc.) is comparable to similar cities. The clerk stated Marion County is the best in the state due to its size and efficient collection.
  • Councilor Boots sought clarification on full capacity (115 FTEs) and whether 94 is efficient. The clerk confirmed that with process improvements, 94 is sufficient to deliver services.
  • Councilor Cormay requested historical data on services (e.g., marriage licenses) over the last 4-5 years to analyze trends. The clerk agreed to provide it.
  • Leader Mowrey praised the presentation as a “gold standard” for budget hearings.

• Metropolitan Emergency Services Agency (MESA) Budget (2027):

  • Chief Brown and CFO presented a proposed budget of ~$32M (12.5% increase over 2026). Key points:
    • Staffing: Authorized 226 positions, but currently 159 filled (30% vacancy). The 2027 budget funds 175 positions (15 additional telecommunicators) to meet national call-answering standards (90% in 15 seconds).
    • Tornado siren replacement: Contracts finalized; installation of first 6 sirens to begin in October, 6 more in November, goal to replace 32 by 2027. Delays attributed to parts procurement and coordination with electrical contractors.
    • Technology: Upgraded public safety network with redundancies; WebEOC crisis tracking tool used during recent flood – enabled 4,000 structure assessments in 3.5 days. AI is being explored for non-emergency calls.
    • CJIS compliance: 50% complete, expected ahead of schedule in 2027.
    • Councilor Perkins questioned the request for $3.3M increase in personnel when the current vacancy rate is 30%. The CFO clarified that the 2026 budget funds only 160 positions (not 226), and the increase covers COLA, union contracts, and 15 new hires to address staffing needs.
    • Councilor Perkins also made a public request for a separate committee debriefing on MESA’s flood response, citing communication gaps and lack of public awareness. He criticized the mayor for lack of leadership during the disaster.
    • Councilor Delaney thanked MESA for 24/7 flood response work and asked about the mass notification system (RAVE). Chief Brown explained it is opt-in and used for alerts; the system was activated during the flood.
    • Councilor Boots noted that inaccurate federal flood predictions (Friday morning revision) contributed to poor communication and more damage. He and others stressed the need for a thorough after-action review.
    • Councilor Graves asked about methods for informing the public. Chief Brown described coordination with PIOs, media, and the RAVE opt-in system. Sirens are only for tornado warnings, not flood alerts.
    • Councilor Boots also asked about AI implementation. Chief Brown said they are being cautious, examining companies and comparable PSAPs, and would start with low-risk non-emergency calls.
    • Councilor Mallory questioned the slow pace of siren installation (6 per month) and urged expediting.

• Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Budget (2027):

  • Sheriff Kerry Forrestal and CFO Kaelin Carr presented a flat budget ($4.15M increase for contractual obligations only: 3% COLA, food services escalation, medical RFP).
  • Staffing: Funded for 882 FTEs (same as 2026), currently at 792.5 (down from 797.96 in May). The adult detention center (ADC) has 456 staff, including 258 detention deputies (KPMG recommends 397). Courtline has 44 deputies (recommended 91). High turnover attributed to compensation and demanding work environment.
  • The sheriff filed a lawsuit against the Indiana Department of Correction (DOC) that afternoon, seeking an order to take custody of 257 inmates (sentenced to DOC but not transferred) and to recover costs ($85/day cost vs. $42/day reimbursement, costing the county ~$4M/year).
  • Programs: MAT program expanded (injectable buprenorphine), 5 suicide prevention advocates, tablets with free content, 487,000 free phone calls and 57,000 free video visits year-to-date.
  • Medical contract: Eskenazi Health declined to take over; RFP for new medical vendor will likely exceed $20M and require a future appropriation.
  • Commissary fund: Funds many programs and legal counsel (not tax money). The sheriff stated three deputy chiefs sign off on expenditures. Councilor Perkins noted the council receives quarterly reports but does not approve specific programs. He invited the public to review those reports.
  • Councilor Mowrey asked about tablet costs and damage policy (one tablet per inmate; if damaged, no replacement).
  • Councilor Mascari asked about the ongoing issue with Eskenazi and the DOC’s failure to take prisoners. The sheriff confirmed that DOC only pays $42/day and has not taken inmates, leading to overcrowding (2,657 inmates in facility designed for 2,400, at 89% capacity).
  • Councilor Boots questioned the legal basis for DOC reimbursement and whether the lawsuit seeks timely payments. The sheriff said the goal is to force DOC to take prisoners within 5 days per statute.
  • Councilor Perkins noted the low number of ICE detainees (1-2) and contrasted it with earlier concerns. He also asked about the role of internal vs. Corporation Counsel legal advice. Corporation Counsel had deferred to the sheriff’s internal attorney (Kevin Murray), who explained that his funding comes from the commissary fund, not county general.
  • Councilor McCormick asked if free calls apply to receiving families (yes) and whether all inmates have tablets (most do, some areas have wall-mounted “pay phones”).
  • Councilor Wells raised concerns about the re-entry lobby and re-entry court sunset, noting a “gut” of current programs and lack of substantial replacement. She called for an audit of programmatic impacts, not just commissary spending, to improve re-entry outcomes.

Key Outcomes

• Proposal No. 248 was accepted without a recorded vote.
• The committee approved the Marion County Clerk’s Office 2027 budget as presented.
• The committee approved the MESA 2027 budget as presented, with an understanding that a separate debriefing on flood response will be scheduled.
• The committee approved the Sheriff’s Office 2027 budget as presented (no additional funding beyond contractual increases).
• A lawsuit against the Indiana DOC was filed by the sheriff on the day of the meeting.
• Councilor Perkins requested, and the committee agreed to schedule, a future session for MESA to debrief on flood disaster response, with emphasis on communication and leadership.
• Councilor Wells indicated an intention to review commissary-funded programs and evaluate their effectiveness in reducing recidivism.
• Public comments on expanding free phone calls were noted; no immediate action was taken.