Community Affairs Committee Meeting – September 8, 2026
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.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. And call to order community affairs committee tonight. We have two things on the docket, but before we get started, we're gonna go ahead and introduce ourselves, starting with uh the row in front of me. Go ahead, counselor Nate. Thank you very much, Chair Paul and A, District 22. Thank you, Madam Chair, Derek Cahill, District 23. Thank you, Madam Chair, Nick Roberts, District 4. Thanks, Madam Chair. Good evening, everyone. Keith Graves, District 9. Thank you, Madam Chair, Vapo Soleil, District 12. And I am Allie Brown, District 10. Before we proceed, the first proposal, we have one proposal to vote on. Um, do we have quorum to be able to do that vote? Yes. Okay, cool. So the first proposal we're gonna hear is number 209 2026, which it reappoints Amy Carroll to the public art for neighborhoods selection committee. Amy, are you here? Come on up to this wonderful microphone. Welcome. So, Amy, if you could just tell us a little bit about yourself and why you're interested in being on this committee. Well, I'm a professional artist and have been for the past 27 years. I've served throughout different volunteer positions in our in Speedway where I live, as well as in Zionsville. And I've been on this committee since uh basically its inception, I believe, about 10 years ago. So I'd like to continue. Amazing. Counselors, do we have any questions for Amy? Councilor Graves. Uh, thank you for your willingness to serve on this board. I am a big fan of art, so thank you. Thank you. You have been around for quite a long time. Thank you. Thank you. Councilor Cahip. Thank you, madam chair. Uh just while you're here in person, thank you for that. The uh on the attendance here, it says you've missed three of the four quarterly meetings in the past. I don't believe that's correct. I missed one recently in July, but I think it was canceled. So other than that, I've been there. Yes, yeah, in the fourth quarter. Oh, this is 2025, the one I think you're looking at. Yeah. Yeah. I don't I don't think that's accurate, but I can check. Okay. Um, I was looking at the 2025, and then it looks like you've got two, yes, two two attendances in Q1 Q, but then Q3 says they did meet. You didn't attend, but they but they didn't meet. Um, all right, thank you.
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