Community Affairs Committee Meeting – September 8, 2026

The Community Affairs Committee met on September 8, 2026, at 10:30 AM to consider two agenda items: the reappointment of Amy Carroll to the Public Art for Neighborhoods Selection Committee and a budget hearing for Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS). The meeting included a unanimous vote on the reappointment and a detailed budget presentation followed by public comment.

Discussion Items

• Reappointment of Amy Carroll to the Public Art for Neighborhoods Selection Committee – Carroll, a professional artist with 27 years of experience and a committee member since inception, spoke about her continued interest. Councilor Cahill noted an attendance record showing three missed meetings, but Carroll disputed the accuracy, stating she had attended all but one canceled meeting. The committee moved to approve the reappointment.
• Budget Hearing for Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) – The director presented IACS’s priorities, staffing, and accomplishments. Highlights included:
  • A newly hired veterinarian (starting December 1) with a $300,000 salary, projected to save $375,000 annually by reducing outsourcing.
  • A 60% growth in volunteers (from 161 to 258) since last year, attributed to the new shelter and a volunteer coordinator.
  • A 17% increase in adoptions and improved live outcomes.
  • Workplace safety improvements: injury claims dropped from a peak of 65 to 42 among a workforce of 74.
  • A total budget increase of about $2.1 million, primarily for personnel, supplies, professional services, vehicles, and chargebacks.
  • Staffing: 74 employees after six recent hires; plans to hire additional kennel staff using vacancy savings (attrition reduced from 15% to 5%).
  • Revenue from adoption fees ($60 each) and other fees is expected to increase significantly in 2027.

Councilors asked about savings from the veterinarian, workplace safety details, volunteers, kennel staffing, spay/neuter costs, public outreach, and the Citizens Academy. Director and CFO James Finnlayson responded, noting that kennel staffing remains a priority and that a new Public Information Officer (PIO) could enhance community outreach.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donna Casamento (CEO of IndyHumane, board member of Operation Indy Animals and Indiana Coalition of Animal Welfare Professionals) – Expressed strong support for investing in IACS, emphasizing the need for adequate staffing and dedicated funding for accessible spay/neuter services to prevent overpopulation. She stated that prevention saves taxpayer resources.
• Chris Roberson (volunteer since 2002, IACS board member, resident of Councilor Gibson’s district) – Commended the director’s leadership, highlighted the acute need for more kennel staff due to labor-intensive cleaning systems in the new shelter, and urged funding for community outreach to enforce the unaltered animal registry ordinance.
• Union President (Local 725) (representing IACS workers) – Praised the positive atmosphere under new leadership, confirmed understaffing, and requested council support for additional staff and resources.

Key Outcomes

• Reappointment Vote: The committee voted unanimously (all ayes) to recommend Amy Carroll’s reappointment to the full council with a “do pass” recommendation.
• Budget Hearing: No vote was taken on the IACS budget; the matter will be heard again at a future meeting.

The meeting adjourned after closing remarks thanking the director and staff for their progress.