OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Health and Hospital Corporation Board Meeting - August 25, 2026

Other Meetings (A-H) — Tuesday, August 25, 2026
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionOther Meetings (A-H)
DateTuesday, August 25, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 59:45

Transcript — Verbatim
0:17

This afternoon, as we gather together, only a week removed from flooding, which has impacted portions of our community.

0:24

We express our gratitude for the work of those who came to the assistance of our fellow citizens in need.

0:31

As our board deliberates today, may they experience a deep awareness of the role various divisions of the health and hospital corporation played in the lives of those impacted and continue to play to this day.

0:44

May they find inspiration in their work and commit themselves to the continual provision of those things that serve the health and well-being of the citizens of Marion County.

0:56

Amen.

0:58

Thank you, Bishop Rob.

1:00

With that, uh I'll call the meeting to order and uh roll call of the members.

1:07

Uh trustee and uh vice chairperson Drummer.

1:10

Present.

1:11

Trustee Du Set.

1:12

Present.

1:13

Trustee Dr.

1:13

Fish.

1:14

Present.

1:15

Trustee Hannafee.

1:16

Present.

1:16

Trustee Horn.

1:17

Present.

1:18

Trustee O'Brien, are you on the phone with us?

1:21

Present.

1:21

Uh very good.

1:22

And uh Chair Personal Lazard is here.

1:25

So we have everyone here.

1:27

Um the next item on our agenda uh includes uh the consent agenda, uh, which includes uh the the uh board minutes uh of August 11, 2026, are uh assistant treasurer and CFO report uh including the 2026 cash disbursements, clinical privilege forms, advanced practice and registered nurse and physician assistant, staff uh medical staff appointments and reappointments and changes to privileges, medical staff policies number 700-2023, medical consultations, number 700-122, um disclosure discussions with patients and families, uh number 700-160, discharging to appropriate level of care, and number 700-163 urgent retained procedure from uh uh outside facility.

2:30

Uh is there a motion to approve the uh consent agenda.

2:34

I move that we approve the consent agenda.

2:37

Is there a second?

2:39

Second.

2:40

Are there any comments from the board with regard to the consent agenda?

2:46

Hearing no comments, uh, I'll take a roll call vote.

2:52

Trustee uh drummer, yes, trustee Du Sett.

2:55

Yes, Trustee Dr.

2:57

Fish.

2:58

Uh yes, Trustee Hannafee.

3:00

Yes, trustee Horn, yes, Trustee O'Brien.

3:05

Yes.

3:06

And trustee Lazard votes yes.

3:09

So it's it is you may have unanimous uh approval for the consent agenda.

3:16

Excuse me.

3:17

The uh next item of business uh is a uh public hearing.

3:23

Uh general uh general ordinance number two-2026.

3:30

The ordinance was introduced in read by title for the first time on July 28, 2026 board meeting and read for a second time at the August 11, 2026 board meeting.

3:44

The ordinance will now be read for the final time by Health and Hospital Corporations General Counsel and O'Connor.

3:53

General ordinance number two-2026, 2027 budget.

4:00

Next, we'll hear an overview of the ordinance uh presented by uh James Simpson, our uh chief financial officer and assistant treasurer.

4:11

James.

4:12

Thank you, Chairman Lazard and trustees.

4:14

Um there's only been a few minor updates to the to the budget ordinance since our last presentation on August 11th.

4:22

Um two of them are more administrative, and then there was a third change where we um moved some dollars between a couple of the expense categories, but in total, there's no impact of the bottom line of the budget.

4:36

So the two administrative changes uh early in August, the Marion County Assessor's Office published the net assessed values for our uh taxing districts, and so the net assessed value originally we had it um entered as the 2026 value.

4:52

Since then we've updated it to the the published 2027 net assessed values, and so it went from 66.1 billion for our taxing district to 68.1.

5:05

And so when we update the net assessed value, that does with the assessed value going up, it reduces our tax rate slightly.

5:14

Our tax levy does not change, but our tax rate does drop.

5:18

So our general fund rate decreased to 0.2565, and then our bond retirement fund new tax rate is 0.033 or 0.003.

5:31

Those were the administrative changes, and then also during our review from the the prior meeting, we did notice that we had some funds and personal services that we need to relocate down to supplies and other charges and services.

5:44

So we reduced the personal services line by three million, we increase supplies by 400,000, and then we also increased other charges and services, other service and charges by um 2.6 million.

5:57

The net impact on the expenditures is zero, is just a shift between those those three budget categories, and so the the budget surplus remains the same, it's a very minor surplus at 18 and a half thousand, um 18.5.

6:11

No other changes on the budget.

6:13

Um we did include the other slides so you could see each fund.

6:17

Um just a reminder that the one fund with the deficit is our cumulative building fund.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Health█████████████████████████████29%
Budget██████████████████████22%
Health And Hospital Corporation██████████████14%
Mental Health Awareness███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Capital Projects████4%
Real Estate███3%
Flood Management██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Health and Hospital Corporation Board Meeting - August 25, 2026

The board of the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County met on August 25, 2026, to approve the 2027 budget ordinance, authorize a $25 million bond issuance for new ambulance stations, approve a property acquisition, and hear reports from division leaders. All trustees were present except for voting restrictions on one member for the budget item.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously (7-0). It included the August 11, 2026 board minutes, the assistant treasurer and CFO report (including 2026 cash disbursements), clinical privilege forms, advanced practice and registered nurse and physician assistant staff, medical staff appointments and reappointments with changes to privileges, and four medical staff policies (numbers 700-2023, 700-122, 700-160, 700-163).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public signed up to speak on any of the public hearing items (General Ordinance 2-2026, Resolution 6-2026, Resolution 7-2026, Resolution 8-2026). Each public hearing was closed due to lack of speakers.

Discussion Items

  • General Ordinance 2-2026 (2027 Budget): CFO James Simpson presented minor updates since August 11, 2026. Two administrative changes: the Marion County Assessor's Office published 2027 net assessed values (increased from $66.1 billion to $68.1 billion), reducing the general fund tax rate to 0.2565 and the bond retirement fund rate to 0.003. A third change shifted $3 million from personal services to supplies ($400,000) and other charges and services ($2.6 million) with no net impact. The budget surplus remains $18,500. The general fund budget includes a planned deficit of $25.1 million for 2026.
  • Resolution 6-2026 & 7-2026 (Bond Issuance for Ambulance Stations): CFO Simpson presented the same overview as the July 28, 2026 meeting. The bonds, up to $25 million with a maximum 20-year term and 6% interest rate, will fund construction/renovation of three new ambulance stations serving four units (Ambulance 3 at 1308 East Prospect, Ambulance 13 at 1200 West 16th Street, Ambulance 14 at 2960 North Kenwood Avenue, and Medic 26 at 7447 South Meridian Street). Any leftover proceeds may be used for real estate near the Meadows campus and HHC security system upgrades. Current market interest rates are around 4.05%, implying total interest costs of about $11 million and a debt service levy of $2.1 million. The resolution timeline includes City-County Council introduction on September 14, 2026, Municipal Corporation Committee hearing on September 23, and final approval on October 5.
  • Resolution 8-2026 (Property Acquisition): President/CEO Paul Babcock requested authorization to acquire property near 2950 East 38th Street, adjacent to HHC headquarters, to expand the campus and provide community benefit.
  • Reports from Division Leaders:
    • President/CEO Paul Babcock thanked the board, noted the budget and debt issuance will go before the Municipal Corporations Committee on September 23, and updated on the public health lab: vital records services open October 16, 2026, and Bellflower Clinic moves November 13. The old Forest Manor property has entered a ground lease with IMPD for a new North District headquarters.
    • CFO James Simpson reported the general fund shows a $10.4 million decrease in fund balance through July 2026, which is $7.2 million favorable to budget. Year-end 2026 projections show a $17.6 million deficit reduction (compared to budgeted $25.1 million).
    • Dr. Virginia Cain (Marion County Public Health Department) detailed the flood response following August 15 flooding, including canvassing, free well testing, N95 mask and Tyvek suit distribution, a mobile medical unit (operating 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ravenwood through Thursday), 105 tetanus vaccinations administered at four events, and collaboration with neighborhoods (Ravenswood, River's Edge, 80th and Idlewood, Rocky Ripple). Upcoming community events were announced.
    • Dr. Lisa Harris (Eskenazi Health) reported on the Eskenazi Health Committee and Quality Committee. The opioid response program (Project Point) was highlighted, with a 16% decrease in overdose deaths in Marion County from 2024 to 2025. Medicaid disenrollment remains a challenge: 30% enrollment decline in Marion County, leading to a projected $9 million loss from decreased volume and $22 million in Medicaid losses by year-end, with an all-in payer mix impact of about $6 million. Food insecurity compounds chronic disease burdens.
    • Dr. Ashley Overley (Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center) reported successful transition of Forge Ahead Clubhouse and residential programs, with the East 16th Street clinic to follow September 14. The Caring Recovery opioid treatment program passed its Joint Commission survey with no high-risk findings. The Marion County Mental Health Needs Assessment (released July 2026) identified top barriers: lack of transportation, insurance, financial constraints, and stigma. The center's response includes improved communication, care navigators, and telehealth expansion.
    • Dr. O'Donnell (IEMS) reported on Indiana State Fair coverage: 351 responses, 57 transports. The mobile integrated health team has over 700 patient contacts this year, with a 40% reduction in 911 encounters among participants. A new EMT training class of 18 is underway. IEMS assisted with flood response. The board's approval of the bond issuance for ambulance stations was thanked, as three of the four units lack permanent facilities.
    • Julie White (Long-term Care) reported that 126 residents were safely evacuated from Riverwalk Village on August 14 and returned by August 18. Todd Dickey Nursing and Rehabilitation received the first American Healthcare Association gold quality award in Indiana and a deficiency-free annual survey on August 20.
    • Angela (Eskenazi Health Foundation) reported grants awarded nearing $1.1 million (including support for Project Point), disbursement of restricted funds ahead of schedule, and contributions exceeding minimum goals.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (7-0).
  • General Ordinance 2-2026 (2027 Budget): Approved on final reading by a vote of 6-0-1 (Trustee O'Brien could not vote under the electronic meetings statute). The ordinance adopts the 2027 budget with a tax rate of 0.2565 for the general fund and 0.003 for the bond retirement fund.
  • Resolution 6-2026 (Preliminary Bond Determination): Approved 7-0.
  • Resolution 7-2026 (Bond Issuance Authorization): Approved 7-0.
  • Resolution 8-2026 (Property Acquisition): Approved 7-0, authorizing negotiations to acquire land near 2950 East 38th Street.
  • Next Meeting: September 15, 2026 (Tuesday).
  • Meeting Adjourned after no further business.

Meeting Transcript

This afternoon, as we gather together, only a week removed from flooding, which has impacted portions of our community. We express our gratitude for the work of those who came to the assistance of our fellow citizens in need. As our board deliberates today, may they experience a deep awareness of the role various divisions of the health and hospital corporation played in the lives of those impacted and continue to play to this day. May they find inspiration in their work and commit themselves to the continual provision of those things that serve the health and well-being of the citizens of Marion County. Amen. Thank you, Bishop Rob. With that, uh I'll call the meeting to order and uh roll call of the members. Uh trustee and uh vice chairperson Drummer. Present. Trustee Du Set. Present. Trustee Dr. Fish. Present. Trustee Hannafee. Present. Trustee Horn. Present. Trustee O'Brien, are you on the phone with us? Present. Uh very good. And uh Chair Personal Lazard is here. So we have everyone here. Um the next item on our agenda uh includes uh the consent agenda, uh, which includes uh the the uh board minutes uh of August 11, 2026, are uh assistant treasurer and CFO report uh including the 2026 cash disbursements, clinical privilege forms, advanced practice and registered nurse and physician assistant, staff uh medical staff appointments and reappointments and changes to privileges, medical staff policies number 700-2023, medical consultations, number 700-122, um disclosure discussions with patients and families, uh number 700-160, discharging to appropriate level of care, and number 700-163 urgent retained procedure from uh uh outside facility. Uh is there a motion to approve the uh consent agenda. I move that we approve the consent agenda. Is there a second? Second. Are there any comments from the board with regard to the consent agenda? Hearing no comments, uh, I'll take a roll call vote. Trustee uh drummer, yes, trustee Du Sett. Yes, Trustee Dr. Fish. Uh yes, Trustee Hannafee. Yes, trustee Horn, yes, Trustee O'Brien. Yes. And trustee Lazard votes yes. So it's it is you may have unanimous uh approval for the consent agenda. Excuse me. The uh next item of business uh is a uh public hearing. Uh general uh general ordinance number two-2026. The ordinance was introduced in read by title for the first time on July 28, 2026 board meeting and read for a second time at the August 11, 2026 board meeting. The ordinance will now be read for the final time by Health and Hospital Corporations General Counsel and O'Connor. General ordinance number two-2026, 2027 budget. Next, we'll hear an overview of the ordinance uh presented by uh James Simpson, our uh chief financial officer and assistant treasurer. James. Thank you, Chairman Lazard and trustees. Um there's only been a few minor updates to the to the budget ordinance since our last presentation on August 11th. Um two of them are more administrative, and then there was a third change where we um moved some dollars between a couple of the expense categories, but in total, there's no impact of the bottom line of the budget. So the two administrative changes uh early in August, the Marion County Assessor's Office published the net assessed values for our uh taxing districts, and so the net assessed value originally we had it um entered as the 2026 value.

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