September 17, 2026 Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation Board of Directors Meeting

The Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo) Board of Directors held its regular September meeting on September 17, 2026, at 4:05 p.m. The meeting included recognition of safe drivers and an employee of the month, approval of three contracts (architectural/engineering services, independent audit services, and a preventive maintenance contract amendment), adoption of the 2026 Title VI program update, and a financial report for August.

Awards and Recognitions

• President and CEO Jennifer Peers recognized safe drivers, led by Roger B. Harry with 13 years of safe driving.
• Calvin Mahone, a coach operator in the fixed route system, was named August Operations Employee of the Month for his flexibility, commitment, and mentorship.
• Peers thanked staff who contributed to the budget presentation to the Municipal Corporations Committee of the City-County Council the previous evening.

Discussion and Action Items

Action Item A1: Approval of Board Minutes from August 20, 2026

The board unanimously approved the minutes by voice vote.

Action Item A2: Approval of Architectural & Engineering (A&E) Contract for CTC Interior Renovations

• Andrea Hermer, Senior Director of Capital Facilities, Modernization, and Asset Management, presented a contract with an A&E firm for $279,520.40 to redo space planning and develop buildable projects for the Central Transit Center (CTC) interior.
• The initial priority is constructing new public restrooms in the atrium to separate public and staff spaces, expected to go to procurement around mid-year to end of next year (likely 2027).
• The contract allows for a master plan of projects to be implemented as funds become available. Director Wilson advocated for prioritizing employee spaces.
• The board unanimously approved the contract.

Action Item A3: Adoption of Resolution 2026-07 – Title VI Program Update

• Kevin McNally, Director of Strategic Planning, presented the 2026 Title VI program update, required every three years by the FTA. The update includes a Service Monitoring Report, two site equity analyses, and an updated Public Involvement Plan.
• The Service Monitoring Report identified two metrics of concern: (1) a disproportionate burden in local route frequency because the average headway for low-income routes (39 minutes) compared to the single non-low-income Route 82 (30 minutes) fell outside the acceptable range—staff noted this was due to comparing 27 low-income routes against one non-low-income route. (2) a disparate impact in BRT frequencies due to the Red Line (10-minute frequency) versus Purple Line (15-minute frequency), attributed to temporary staffing shortages; staff are working to improve Purple Line frequency to 10 minutes. Staff determined neither issue is a systemic equity concern.
• The board adopted the resolution by roll call vote. Directors Gardner and Hahn voted aye; Director Smith was absent and did not vote; other directors present indicated approval (the record shows no opposition).

Action Item A4: Approval of Independent Audit Services Contract with Forvis Mazars LLP

• Brian Atkinson, Director of Governance and Audit, proposed a five-year contract with Forvis Mazars (current auditor) for $402,185, covering fiscal years 2026–2030. The firm has completed two prior five-year cycles and IndyGo has received the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting each year.
• The contract represents an annual increase of about 3.5%. The procurement method was a sole-source negotiation to avoid transition costs and leverage continuity. Director Wilson asked about competition, but staff explained that professional services are exempt from bidding and that the pricing is competitive.
• The board unanimously approved the contract.

Action Item A5: Approval of Contract Amendment with Ellis Mechanical & Electrical for Preventive Maintenance Services

• Gerald Glover, Facility Supply Chain Manager, requested an additional $275,000 to address cost overruns due to unanticipated service calls and the addition of a new facility (9350 East 30th Street) to the preventive maintenance scope. The total contract value would increase to $2,003,000.
• The original fixed-fee contract did not include service calls, which totaled $159,610 from April 2022 to July 2026. Existing funds were exhausted at the end of August 2026, making the amendment urgent. Staff had used an allowable $100,000 administrative extension to cover pending bills.
• The board unanimously approved the amendment.

Information Item: Finance Report

• CFO Justin Burko reported on August 2026 financials. Revenue was under budget by 4.27% due to timing issues: PMTF revenue was received in a single lump sum earlier, and passenger service revenue was delayed by the transition to a new fare collection system (estimated $120,000 will be recognized in September).
• Expenses were under budget in most categories: personal services (-4.07% for the month, -9.83% YTD); other services (-1.6% for the month despite a one-time prepaid insurance expense); materials and supplies (-1.4% month, -14.28% YTD); maintenance was over budget due to midlife engine overhauls.
• Overall, IndyGo is $349,307 under budget for the month and 12.86% under budget year-to-date.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Board minutes from August 20, 2026.
• Approved: A&E contract for CTC interior renovations ($279,520.40).
• Adopted: Resolution 2026-07 approving the 2026 Title VI Program Update, including the Service Monitoring Report and Public Involvement Plan.
• Approved: Five-year audit services contract with Forvis Mazars LLP ($402,185).
• Approved: Contract amendment with Ellis Mechanical for preventive maintenance (additional $275,000, total $2,003,000).
• Acknowledged: Finance report for August 2026; department reports entered into the record.
• Closing: Chairman Hahn noted positive public feedback on bus service from Lawrence to the State Fair.