Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Municipal Corporations Committee Meeting – September 23, 2026

City-County Council — Wednesday, September 23, 2026

BodyIndianapolis, Indiana

SessionCity-County Council

DateWednesday, September 23, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:23:39

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:04

Oh my gosh, right?

0:13

How do you figure out a multiple?

1:36

That's how you're high.

1:55

Good evening, everybody.

1:56

I'm Chairman Jared Evans, and tonight we begin the municipal corporation committee meeting.

2:01

We'll begin with introductions to my left.

2:06

My name is Josh Mascalier, Counselor for District 21.

2:11

Thank you, Mr.

2:12

Chairman.

2:12

Mike Dilk, District 24.

2:15

Thank you, Ms.

2:15

Chair, Michael Paul Hart, representing District 20.

2:18

Thank you, Chairman Evans.

2:19

Jesse Brown representing District 13.

2:22

Thank you, Mr.

2:22

Chairman Renee Allen, District 15, the Far East Side.

2:26

Thank you, Mr.

2:27

Chairman, Dr.

2:27

Carlos Perkins, District 6.

2:31

Thank you, Mr.

2:31

Chairman, Ron Gibson, District 8.

2:34

Thanks, Mr.

2:34

Chairman.

2:34

Good evening, everyone.

2:35

Keith Graves, District 9 on the east side.

2:38

Thank you, Chairman Evans.

2:39

Kristen Jones, District 18.

2:42

Thank you, colleagues.

2:43

Again, Chairman Jared Evans.

2:45

We will begin tonight, or I will ask the uh committee with for consent to move proposals two eighty, two eighty-one as well as the budget hearing for the Marion County Public Library to the front of the agenda.

2:56

Thank you.

2:56

Library, just one moment.

2:58

Tonight, uh colleagues, I remind everybody, while I do give you the floor, stay on topic.

3:04

I do not want to have to interrupt you and remind you, you're all grown human beings, and let's speed this process along today.

3:12

Uh Madam CFO, you have the floor.

3:17

For proposal two eighty.

3:20

Good evening, Municipal Corporation Committee Chair Jared Evans and members of the City County Council.

3:25

My name is Lolita Campbell, and I serve as the Chief Financial Officer for the Indianapolis Public Library.

3:31

Joining me today, I I have Megan Gibson.

3:35

She's from Baker and Tilly.

3:37

She's one of our bond advisors.

3:39

We are here to this evening to present the Indianapolis Public Library proposed 2026-2027 general obligation bond.

3:46

The library has had a long history of strategically using bond proceeds to make a significant long-term investments in our uh facilities.

3:55

Since 2014, bond funding has supported improvements across the system.

4:00

These investments have allowed the libraries to renovate, modernize, expand, and extend the useful life of extended um facilities while ensuring that our branches remain safe, accessible, functional, and welcome spaces for the community to be served.

4:16

More recently, the library constructed new Fort Band, the Glendale branches, and completed renovation for Pike and Nora branches.

4:23

And currently we're working on the West Indy branch.

4:39

This project represents a comprehensive renovation of existing approximately 16,000 square feet facility along with approximately 4,000 square feet addition of the north side of the building.

5:00

This project addresses critical building and infrastructure while also redesigning the facility to better meet the current and future needs of the Urbanton community.

5:06

Major improvements will include new roof, significant upgrades to the branch mechanical and electrical employment system.

5:14

The mechanical improvement will include more efficient havoc system electronic, well electrical and modernized to better accommodate the increased use of laptop phones, tablets, and other personal technology by patrons and staff.

5:32

Plumbing improvement will include new restrooms and upgrade layouts.

5:42

Sorry.

6:11

The renovation facility will include four accessible universal patron restrooms, include the restroom equipped with university changing stations and restroom designs to better accommodate families with young children.

6:24

All restrooms will be meet ADA accessibility requirements.

6:28

This project will also include comfort room with the sink and cabinetry, providing flexible private space to accommodate patrons' needs.

6:37

For the first time, the Irvington branch will also have a dedicated book drop, providing patrons with greater comprehensive convenience in returning library materials.

6:48

We also increase in the size of the community meeting rooms, creating a larger dedicated team space and adding four study rooms.

6:56

These improvements reflect the library's facilities are used today.

7:00

Our branches are more than places for to check out books.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Library Services████████████████████████24%

Budget██████████████████████22%

Health And Hospital Corporation███████████████████19%

Public Health██████████████14%

Executive Compensation██████████10%

Procedural███3%

Public Engagement███3%

Community Engagement█1%

Transportation█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Municipal Corporations Committee Meeting – September 23, 2026

The Municipal Corporations Committee of the Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council met on September 23, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Public Assembly Room of the City-County Building. The committee considered two bond proposals and held budget hearings for the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library and the Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC). Key decisions included approval of library bonds ($19 million) and HHC bonds ($25 million), while budget discussions highlighted financial challenges and community impact.

Public Comments & Testimony

Michael Torres (President, Ask Me Local 3395, representing Indianapolis Public Library workers) expressed concerns about the process for the CEO's salary increase, stating that peer cities used were only from Ohio (no Indiana libraries) and that frontline workers were not adequately informed. He advocated for flat-rate salary increases to benefit lower-paid staff and noted that experienced new hires are often started at the bottom rate, affecting retention.
Natissa Woodard (Board of Trustees, Indianapolis Public Library) acknowledged the council's concerns and committed to taking feedback back to the board. She emphasized the library's critical role and unpredictable facility needs.
Mike Ollis (public comment) criticized the quality of care at HHC-operated nursing homes, specifically referencing Brownsburg Meadows, and questioned the council's oversight of nursing home quality. He brought up the Toveski vs. HHC Supreme Court case regarding the right to sue the federal government.

Discussion Items

Proposal Nos. 280 and 281 – Indianapolis Public Library Bonds: CFO Lolita Campbell and bond advisor Megan Gibson presented a $19 million bond issuance for the comprehensive renovation of the Irvington Branch (approx. 16,000 sq. ft. renovation plus 4,000 sq. ft. addition) and multi-facility capital improvements. The bonds would be repaid over 4–6 years without increasing the debt service tax rate. Councilor Brown noted the cost was higher than previous renovations; Councilor Hart questioned the selection process. CEO Gregory Hill explained the prioritization was based on an outside consultant's facility assessment. The committee approved the proposals together.
Indianapolis Public Library 2027 Budget Hearing: CEO Gregory Hill and CFO Lolita Campbell presented the $94.1 million budget, with $69.2 million operating fund (2.91% increase) and $23.8 million debt service. Revenue challenges included reliance on property taxes (81% of operating revenue) and potential loss of $3.9 million in intergovernmental revenue. Personnel costs are 65% of operating expenses. Councilors raised concerns about:
- CEO salary increase: Councilor Allen questioned a reported $60,000 increase for the CEO while frontline workers received a 3% hybrid increase. Dr. Perkins clarified that the board conducted a peer comparison (e.g., Cleveland Public Library) and the new salary is in line with peers. Councilor Brown called the percentage increase inappropriate.
- Deficit and conservative budgeting: The budget shows a $7.5 million gap between revenue and expenditures, but library leadership noted a history of underspending and strategic use of fund balance. Councilor Hart and Councilor Graves criticized the padded budget and requested more accurate projections.
- Union concerns: Councilor Brown highlighted reports of harassment complaints not being taken seriously by HR and noted that the executive leadership team was exempt from the flat-dollar increase in the hybrid compensation model.
- Long-term planning: Councilor Graves asked for detailed capital planning and itemized other charges. CEO Hill noted monthly monitoring and reallocation of capital projects to bonds.
Proposal No. 279 – Health and Hospital Corporation Bonds: Joe Glass (Bond Bank) and Paul Babcock (HHC CEO) presented a $25 million bond issuance for capital projects, including three new standalone EMS ambulance stations, real estate acquisition (e.g., 38th & Keystone area), and facility upgrades. The debt service levy would not increase; the tax impact is estimated at 0.0039 cents per $100 of assessed value. The bonds have a 20-year term. Councilor Brown asked about coordination with IFD; Babcock explained these stations are in areas with no current EMS space and not on IFD's capital plan. The committee approved the proposal.
Health and Hospital Corporation 2027 Budget Hearing: CFO James Simpson presented the $2.98 billion budget, including Eskenazi Health ($1.4B), long-term care ($1.1B), and the general fund ($412M). The cumulative building fund shows a planned deficit ($81M down to $29.3M) to fund the Hasbrook headquarters renovation and other projects; no new taxes were levied. Dr. Lisa Harris (Eskenazi Health) detailed financial headwinds: projected $24.6M loss from 340B changes, $54M inflationary increase, potential $70M loss from Medicaid state directed payment program, and a 29% uninsured patient rate in Marion County. Dr. Kim McElroy Jones (Chief Culture Officer) presented a localization roadmap to reduce the 52% economic leakage (spending outside Indiana). Dr. Virginia Kane (Marion County Public Health Department) highlighted community health priorities and the Health First Indiana program ($10M to 77 community organizations). Chief Dan O'Donnell (Indianapolis EMS) noted 145,000 runs annually and the opening of a new EMS headquarters in 2027. Councilors praised the presentations but expressed concern about the cumulative building fund's declining balance and the systemic impacts of Medicaid cuts on safety-net services.

Key Outcomes

Approved Proposal No. 280 and 281: The committee approved the issuance of $19 million in Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library general obligation bonds (280) and the appropriation of bond proceeds (281) for the Irvington Branch renovation and multi-facility capital improvements. The motion passed by voice vote.
Approved Proposal No. 279: The committee authorized the issuance of up to $25 million in Health and Hospital Corporation general obligation bonds for capital improvement projects, including EMS stations, real estate acquisition, and equipment. The proposal will go to the full council. The motion passed by voice vote.
No votes taken on budgets: The budget hearings for both the library and HHC were informational. The committee will revisit the library budget for review and analysis in two weeks.
Directives/Next Steps:
- The library will provide Councilor Hart with the facility assessment and prioritization document.
- HHC will continue to update its multi-year financial sustainability plan and will work to improve local supplier spending (economic leakage).
- The committee will consider the library budget again at a future meeting.

Meeting Transcript

Oh my gosh, right? How do you figure out a multiple? That's how you're high. Good evening, everybody. I'm Chairman Jared Evans, and tonight we begin the municipal corporation committee meeting. We'll begin with introductions to my left. My name is Josh Mascalier, Counselor for District 21. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mike Dilk, District 24. Thank you, Ms. Chair, Michael Paul Hart, representing District 20. Thank you, Chairman Evans. Jesse Brown representing District 13. Thank you, Mr. Chairman Renee Allen, District 15, the Far East Side. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Dr. Carlos Perkins, District 6. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ron Gibson, District 8. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Good evening, everyone. Keith Graves, District 9 on the east side. Thank you, Chairman Evans. Kristen Jones, District 18. Thank you, colleagues. Again, Chairman Jared Evans. We will begin tonight, or I will ask the uh committee with for consent to move proposals two eighty, two eighty-one as well as the budget hearing for the Marion County Public Library to the front of the agenda. Thank you. Library, just one moment. Tonight, uh colleagues, I remind everybody, while I do give you the floor, stay on topic. I do not want to have to interrupt you and remind you, you're all grown human beings, and let's speed this process along today. Uh Madam CFO, you have the floor. For proposal two eighty. Good evening, Municipal Corporation Committee Chair Jared Evans and members of the City County Council. My name is Lolita Campbell, and I serve as the Chief Financial Officer for the Indianapolis Public Library. Joining me today, I I have Megan Gibson. She's from Baker and Tilly. She's one of our bond advisors. We are here to this evening to present the Indianapolis Public Library proposed 2026-2027 general obligation bond. The library has had a long history of strategically using bond proceeds to make a significant long-term investments in our uh facilities. Since 2014, bond funding has supported improvements across the system. These investments have allowed the libraries to renovate, modernize, expand, and extend the useful life of extended um facilities while ensuring that our branches remain safe, accessible, functional, and welcome spaces for the community to be served. More recently, the library constructed new Fort Band, the Glendale branches, and completed renovation for Pike and Nora branches. And currently we're working on the West Indy branch. This project represents a comprehensive renovation of existing approximately 16,000 square feet facility along with approximately 4,000 square feet addition of the north side of the building. This project addresses critical building and infrastructure while also redesigning the facility to better meet the current and future needs of the Urbanton community. Major improvements will include new roof, significant upgrades to the branch mechanical and electrical employment system.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com