Good evening. Welcome to the
Ant-Man Finance Committee
meeting. Start the meeting
with their introductions to my
left. Thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN
Mike Deal District 20 forward.
Thank you, MR. Chaired Brian
Maori district. 25 thank you
to write. Thank you, MR. Allen
District, 15 party set. Thank
you, MR. Chaired Nic Robertson
strict for good evening.
CHAIRMAN Miscarry Crystal
Wells District 11, far West
Side. Good evening. Maggie
Frank miscarriages streak 19
MR. Cahill, you so thank you.
MR. Chaired their Cayo
District. 23. All right. Thank
you. We have 3 proposals for
budget hearings. Up first is
propose a proposal to 44, I
understand all these proposals
are you gonna bring together
all at once? Yes, need to vote
for one the time or Proposal
to 44 45 46. Going all Mizzou
break in between them. Too
fat. This is a little
confusing, but going resent to
44 into 46 because required
public and then several a
scarily, there's amendment to
45 45? So after that, we get
in the that became so we have
the floor, sir. Thank you,
CHAIRMAN. Scary. And that was
the committee. My name is Joe
Bast and the executive
director and general counsel
of the Indianapolis 5 And we
have 3 proposals for you to
property tax general
obligations, Bonds and the
other is facility revenues by
a proposal to 44, will be an
issue metric wasn't there
district. And as for a maximum
out of 50 million dollars for
construction of a operations
graduating bw their current
site. And as JUNE, 35, South
West Street. And then moving
proposal to 46 that will be a
general obligation, bond
issuance of the consolidated
city taxing x amount of 12.5
million dollars with the
construction of a new impd
North District station and
then finally present to 45. I
would approve the issuance of
up to 35 million dollars of
facility, revenue bonds to
financing for and 2 parking
garages as well as a
pedestrian bridge at the
community. Justice campus.
Proposal to 44, like I said,
is for a operations garage the
current to w campus south of
downtown just east of the
river this would be maxed out
of 50 million dollars. Max
interest rate of 6.5% and a
term not to exceed 20 years.
This would allow dpw
consolidate a lot of disparate
facilities they have currently
on that campus streamline
operations and allow for
improved storage maintenance
of street. So here you see
their current garages many are
day there gathered campus. And
so this would allow. And this
new graduate streamlined lot
of operations operations. Have
issuers required to do by the
deals you have, which is to
the projected changes in levy
and a tax rate for the taxing
district here. The taxing
district that's there for
district. These are very
conservative projections and
increase in tax rate would be
offset because decreases other
taxing districts of the city.
Goes to 46, other general
obligation bond. This would
the single city taxing
district maximum out of 12.5
million dollars, as you to see
6.5%, maximum term of 20
years, this would be it for
North District police station
at this would be located at
38th and Sherman Avenue. It
would create need to be in the
space that improved space for
visitors and employees of the
game. North District. Here
again are we checked? Id have
next changes to Levy and tax
rate of the civil city back to
district. So we will be these
2 together. With one that
fight as a team and usually
the binding of the have the
city Minneapolis, our
financial advisors more
advisors, words and numbers
are about council we have yet
to reach data and ready for
this transaction. So obviously
tonight where beforehand and
finance, we have 2 additional
hearings before the Board of
Public Works in AUGUST and
SEPTEMBER. Plan to go before
the full council in SEPTEMBER,
but make approval OCTOBER and
pressing closing by the end of
the year. And answer, any
questions about rules? To 44
into 4.46, thank I'm curious
to what kind of bond are we in
right now? The whole city. Was
a number. You have it. Don't
have it up and I I any other
quick, any questions council
moves. Thank you, MISTER
CHAIRMAN. Apologize for
following CHAIRMAN Kerry's
question. What aside from the
number was a capacity that's
left a bond for 26. So So will
be different each test. Taxing
district. The city. We We just
recently for the there there
registered PRESIDENT You know,
part of we reasoned that we
maintain our credit ratings.
Is that we do next or capacity
that we hear him. It alleges
that so I can find out
specifically what you know,
how much lead we and that's
what But we're we're not
approaches that. You're to be
helpful how many texting used
to get across the county?
Thanks. Thank you. Any other
questions or counselors? You
know, this is a public
hearings as anyone from
audience would like to speak
on this. Seeing entertain a
motion. Moved. All those in
favor say Aye. The question.
We're going to that separately
to 44, sorry, to 45
separately. It's so good. So
For a clear need to do. Just
go down. 44 46. We did 44 46.
All MR. Improved now. Class
going to 45. All right. Listen
to 45 would just a little
revenue bond issuance accident
out 35 million dollars to
refund interim financing,
construction of 2 parking
garages. I'm thinking, this
campus. And history with that
6.5 that actually bending the
amendment and come before the
council the source and is all
the revenue the city.
So it's a part of that. The
cdc projects at the city
worked Garmin bmo to Design
and Finance the construction
of these 2 parking garages and
a pedestrian bridge. There is
one that is just for staff of
Erie County courts then a
special office building
garage, is a part the for the
public Defender, probation
staff and also offers a
painful with parking. So bill
that for a transfer agreement
was approved by public health
and safety back in Issued
competitive bidding process.
And Carmen was ultimately
selected and we're coming
towards the end of five-year
buildup for a transfer
agreement term. As the
financing team. Here is divine
day. Have to sit in app lists
as again seeing more advisors
is our financial advisor and
of those became Evans as Bond
Council. And we get to and
right after this transaction.
Fewer steps for this one will
go before the full council 2
and SEPTEMBER the final
approval for the van board in
OCTOBER and then pressing
closing end of the year. Thank
you. I think we have an
amendment to this. MR.
CHAIRMAN.
MR. CHAIRMAN, I move to amend
Section one, paragraph c a
proposal. Number 2, 45 2026?
By deleting the language that
is stricken through and adding
the underline language change
in the not to exceed initial
interest rate from 5.5% to
6.5% To read has fallen. And
you can see strict corrected
and section one, infection. I
vote on the amendment only
follows favor of the the
moment an amendment say aye.
Oppose none. All right. Any
questions on proposal itself.
Cancer k a we thank Mister
Chair this this question sort
of applies to both sets of
proposals here. But we have a
discussion last week about the
building authority and in
particular, the cjc and I and
I don't know that you're the
right person, but I don't know
if you know the answer. So
there's 2 questions here. My
my presumption is we is the
counselor dealing with this
where if this garage was
building authority building,
they would just they still
have access to. But think but
they would do without our vote
that it would just pass
through is that is that your
understanding? Don't vote on
their bones. Cause of that.
I've been firmly within. 75
bank have no revenue bonds,
which that. The buildings part
that and all those also gone
through the lessee, which
would be that the the other
question to you. Why is why is
the garage to the cjc? Is
under the bill a 40 foot, the
parking garages or not. You
have any understanding of why
that is the previous thing
mention that we heard there
was some agreement with Dennis
and operate. But I guess that
doesn't make any sense to me
because that was an operate,
the garage and the city County
goalie edits ability
rebuilding And why we have
retained ownership of the
garage has been part of. The
cjc itself. I can't speak to
that. I was around when they
were deciding, you exactly
this works, that the cdc was
lance We're going tax bonds.
Structure payment had to be
structured lease payments from
the city to to the building
authority. This is being
financed through. You know,
different a different
mechanism. I don't know. So
just just in terms you know,
and how they with the finance.
And that's, you but not sure
exactly. Why that was decided
at that time. Okay. There's
nothing here. That's for
That's as we could
theoretically move garages
under the building authority.
So the cjc was one. A
comprehensive campus cause. A
much behind and nothing not
that I could envision Doing
anything about But like, don't
know how you release break
apart. The parking right. Like
it's it's for whatever reason
we decided to divest of the
cjc. It wouldn't have the
value. Without the parking
vice versa. Read that the big
the bigger parking garage it's
connected to the rest of
building, which don't think is
owned by by the building
That's like privately owned
building. So really the only.
City-owned portion would be
it's relatively small garage
for the judges and All right.
Thank Any other question,
counselors? I have a question.
My question is a you on just
300. And the other. 1000 and
these for the general public
losing to use these parking
spots. So the public out he's
going right and has bases
space is available to general
public. Other spaces reserved
information public defender.
Staff and then the smaller
garage is is just for judicial
staff. I mean, right now
there's most of the there's
free this month, small area
for, but you can pay its
probably only 300 parking
spots. Now and brunt of the
parking is free. So is will be
charge of this is going to be
free for the public. I don't
that I know that the money
that we're making on private
office building is that in
word is going top of that. And
so I don't know. Would have to
leave it to the controller's
office. You need to speak to
training is an answer on pre.
She ate it. Any other
questions. Any one of general
public speak on to 45? Seeing
entertain a motion. So moved
if moving second. All those in
favor say Aye. Opposed last
You're off off the hot seat If
you would try to get some
answers on some of So let's go
to the full council. Thank
you. Up next is a Marion
County treasurer's office.
You have a form. It takes to
MR. CHAIRMAN committee, my
name this spiral and I am to
serve Marion County,
Treasurer. I'm joined here.
That's thing. But wish I the
fire deputy and I'm going to
begin with an I'm having a
really had today. So if you to
clarify or slow whatever, just
let me just give me side. We
going to present at 2027
budget. And I have just going
to jump right into The first
flight you will see is in for
a town of the 40 patients with
The Perry County Treasurer's
Office. It's the
administrative decision.
County finance division
division and the customer
service to Michigan. We are
very proud of some of our
agency staffing numbers today.
We have 25 fill positions with
2 vacancies. 4 of the 8
managers are female one point
that we are really proud of is
that the average tenure for
the office for our employees.
It's 7.2 years with 76% of the
folks there think more and
that ever happening at least 3
years. It is a where education
experience is very So we're
especially proud of that. You
want to keep. He said a We
also have focus on changing
with Association of India.
They can't make these and the
National Association of
counties, Indiana County
Treasurer's Association and
and I won't go down that every
minute in the U.S. Senate to
give feel of what chart like.
The pink decisions or managers
stay consistent yeah, happy to
take any questions on anything
I'm going throw it over Gary
ca internal breakdown gender
staffing. Also know is that
the employee level of the
management levels a little
different this report. We
we've had additional higher
and the bucket that hr uses.
They include our financial
analysts part of staff. So
when it comes to gender, we
have 67% female. 33% male. And
when it comes to management on
on their internal breakdowns.
55 45. I also like to
highlight our racial breakdown
when when it comes to
especially Hispanic the
nation. We're higher than the
all city county average. And
you can see the next column
where says manager by
ethnicity, what we're really
proud of is. All the 5
categories. We have at least
one manager when it comes
multi racial, Hispanic, Asian,
white black. A few numbers to
help you understand treasures.
Tough We 356,000 parcels for
2025. We collected in 2025.
About 1.8 billion dollars
pretty taxes and all revenues
we invest and the average
monthly balance of 466 million
dollars. And we distribute to
a 2.7 billion to about 48
units of When talk a little
bit about some and
improvements that we've made
in the treasurer's I have to
announce that we had to
performance metrics for 2020
set. So we're on our to been
for 2025. Another point that
very proud of this said in the
recently completed culture is
a The Marion County
Treasurer's Office had a score
of 95%, which tells me that
hopefully the team doing
something right. People are
enjoying working there. They
feel were aboard they feel
like they're appreciated. And
we're very proud After 20
years with the same vendor, we
have branched out and we are
going through. We have
completed the process we're
going through conversion to a
tax software and on stuff
which is with backs off. That
was probably that year in the
making. And something new and
different way this year. We
set out about 7500 courtesy
letters and that is for
letters that went out to
people complain cuenta their
fall taxes. We sent the
letters found in JANUARY and
what we were hoping we would
is get people to bring my so
it gives us more of a chance
to invest that they didn't get
the money and center. Cost
about 7500 use a dollar. A
letter as a ballpark and of
MARCH 31st, it received can.
Now some people will say,
well, that's money. We can't
any way. Yes, that's true. But
we got it done which is which
is the key point here. We
established as part of the new
fund system, a new call center
solution, which is made our
life so much easier in terms
of the phone providing
customer service and also it
enables us to look at metrics
about the calls are being
answered. How long it's
taking. Calls are dropped. The
important stuff to provide
customer service. And the
final I like it we still have
a barge that underbanked
population and it ring cam,
which means that people
frequently literally and I'm
not exaggerating acts of cash.
8 tax bills. It's not optimum
for safety. Yeah. You know,
this not the cat homes. So
what it started doing this
happening, a bank out in the
hall way to talk to these
people are as they are
standing in line for to pay
their property tax bill to
talk to them that the virtues
establishing a banking
relationship. It's just a
small thing. But we've seen
some real benefits from it.
When it comes to progress
improvement. When one thing
that like to highlight is and
a lot of time it spent in the
office doing this processing
payments. Very, very manual
process. But we try to process
as much internally as possible
for 2 reason. It's it's more
accurate and we get the money
deposited in our in our bank
quicker. So you can see 2016
when this when all started, we
had 206,000 payments that were
processed by a 3rd party. And
that's and that's down to
6269,000 as of as of last
year. They say that about
34,000 lot bought fees and I
really take my hats off to our
to our 3 managers are revenue
to cover manager customer
service manager and really our
executive assistant who we're
all cross train and answering
the phones and processing mail
answering email and that's
what what can get it done. The
other thing is we have new
cash, cow nurse. Going to be
new bills which cask ales.
Would be unable to read. So we
invested in new cash counters,
$10 bills post to roll out
later this year and every 2
years going to be new bills.
So that should help us
identify counterfeit funk's.
One thing that we will
continue to worrisome goals
list. Is increasing the number
of APRIL as part of It
provides convenient funds for
paid security efficiency. Of
course, we always consider the
environmental impact and let's
not kid anybody the more we
can save postage by using
paperless, it saves us money.
So currently we have just
under 35,000 and our goal for
2027, it's another 10%
increase for Another Purdy and
gold is to continue safe with
investment public funds and
the chart you're looking at,
it's really the investment
income that was generated last
year from JANUARY to DECEMBER.
And you'll be you'll notice
there's a big increase during
a time where property tax
payments or a do so they MAY
JUNE NOVEMBER, DECEMBER. Also
have the liquid rate. So the
majority of our funds are
money market account.
Investments accounts, liquid
accounts. And we have a
short-term portfolio between
60 to 65 Million. Where we
invest your leanne CDs,
agencies stretched treasuries.
And there's a last year there
was a 38 basis point
difference this year. That MAY
be a little higher. We have
ceded this outstanding. We
have the financial U.S.
Institutions that bid on it
agencies, Treasury CDs, it
will probably be something
around. 4.2 to 4.4 will be the
yield Arco current money
market yields about 3.6 osos
about it. 68 a basis point
difference when it comes to
and the difference. What? One
of the reasons why I brought
that up is having a
comprehensive short-term
investment strategy where we
invest 2 to 3 years, 2 to 3
years, securities. We're able
to get additional interest
income so that additional 5
basis points, which we're
probably going to have next
year generates 250,000
additional interest income. I
want talk a little bit of
something that they focused on
increasingly over the past
couple of years. And that
community engagement, Beach
positions into the community
outreach coordinator and we do
special where we are we go out
into the public, whether it's
with a partner a community
development corporation and
the county fair, you know,
we've worked with Martin to
upright into planner at We get
a really neat segment with e a
r p and what we can to its
target, zip codes in the areas
with the highest incidence of
tax sale. Tech sell
properties. And you can see on
this slide. Those are the top
5 performing as a JULY 2026.
This is where we would spend
the bulk our activity and what
we to us have people there
that can speak both English
and Spanish and we will do
what we call operate that
check ups. Make sure that they
have all of the deductions and
credits to which they are
eyeful walk through the bill
with Tell them about value and
just in general provided all
the information that we have.
The next slide gives. Our guys
are budget breakdown of were
opposing and increase of
318,004 for all characters. 9
point one percent increase. We
look at the character
breakdown for a character one.
It's a 10.6% increase 209,000.
Our staffing levels for 2027
opposed to be the same as in
2026, the increases is with
the 3% cost of living
adjustment. The stepping
great. Attrition, increase and
attrition rate and health
insurance increases when it
comes to character to do with
supplies, operating supplies,
which which used send out tax
bill. $575 increase. And $46
increase overall in character,
too. For a character 3. We
have close $108,000 increase.
7.3, 3%. With with
professional services. I say
there's a $61,000 increase
about $9,000 increase with the
new last a phone system and
10,000 in each of the
categories when it when it
comes to post its mail service
and thinking we continue to
get to post increases every
year. So that's the appears to
be something that also happen
in 2027 in character. For no
change. When it comes to
There's a 1.4 billion dollar
increase proposed. And in
investment income. We have 1.1
billion dollar increase. And
just the next light really
just shows a investment income
relative to the budget over
last 3 years and will for a
2027. So we've had a
consistent. Good, good, good
performances when it when it
comes to deals this investment
of art. And that's it. In a
nutshell, you have all of the
report said the fact that you
will also included copies of
the documents that we hand our
public This is before and
Thanksgiving in the Bush
Spanish and make sure that we
have any of those and We go to
public. Thank you for the
opportunity to be here the
seat I appreciate your
listening and consideration.
It's always an honor to come
before the committee I'm happy
to take questions. Thank you
your presentation. Counter
Cahill. Thank you, MR. Chair
the $7500 on letters and
corrected. Sooner than
expected. 8.7 million dollars.
How that? The driver on the
1.1 million? Investment. What
how much of that when we look
at this? Investment income,
what what was the net effect
what you somebody by moving
that forward? Well, I think
going take a swipe at answer
and then let by cutting the
body. And earlier, it's less
that the taxpayer is going
first of all, but also that
enables us to invest the money
for a longer period I do. I
think that was part of the 1.1
million Incre soar. I I can
tell you led to an increase in
our interest, our names, I
think it would be hard to
quantify it. Yeah, we get a
break down early. It's it's
it's more. I would I would say
that some of that with wooden
table probably. We we both
receive the payments earlier
and we probably receive 40% of
it. Before the bills went out
in APRIL that we would have
gotten in JANUARY, FEBRUARY or
MARCH. So it was it was it was
well worthy. Well, worth the
investment. The other thing is
and the calls that were coming
in 4th front to the office. We
were able to identify people
that that have problems, maybe
maybe move MAY have been
unaware that that day that he
didn't pay their property tax
bill. So we were able to. Deal
with those customers getting
customer service. Part of the
really busy period when they
were, they would do it had a
tougher time getting to the
office. It also helped out
with a payment. So the people
that are struggling to make
their payments, they were able
to. Contact our office and
that MAY have. Unable to start
process with the starting
making payments online, but we
so that it was easier for to
become I mean, just my quick
and dirty showed it was should
have this just by moving it
forward like a month. One
generated about 30,000 extra.
As far as items that some of
500 generating 30,000 doesn't
come that through great do so.
And looking you. Okay? Yeah.
The what? Given that what is
MAY be on this that what is
driving the 1.1 that isn't new
increased rates that you're
forecasting. The biggest thing
is is our our average monthly
balance continues to increase.
So as a property levy
increases as as late
increases, our average balance
it is as long as interest
rates stay stay. Precept
steady. I think if we get a
3.0, 3, 5%, interest will be
able to make the make. The
budgeted numbers running
higher than that right think.
Thank you any other questions
or comments, counter boots.
Thank you both for the
presentation. If you could go
just back one slide, please to
20. And looking at the
difference 2 questions, one.
The amount of interest,
investment earnings is
increasing rapidly. So why do
you keep the budget amount
fixed? And 15, one, 50? It
went up in. There's been when
when you when we look at the
interest rate environment. The
environment has changed
dramatically beginning of the
year. Our money market rates
were. Substantially higher and
they can they continue to go
down. So so as as the money
market rates have gone down,
which is which is the bulk of
rain come the short-term
investments have. Going you
know looking at our budget and
understanding that there's
there's kind of this does next
between short-term
investments, liquid
investments and the increase
in the average balance for a
month. So using that that that
kind of factored into. The
budget number. I say, too,
there's a little bit of it
surveyed, but you go in It's
difficult to what some of the
stuff that's going on and
said, what can I be? What
might be coming down pike? So
I think we have a tendency to
be fairly conservative. Women.
When making assessment
historically has the amount of
the earnings exceeding the
budget has steadily grown
historically over the years.
More than just this 2 year
history. And I I would say
some of these factors 2020. 25
1 of the big factors was the
timing of the book. You know,
the interest in the So we we
had a 21. We had one being
that that was 20 Million. That
was over 5%. So we're able to
put 2025, which really made a
difference interest. That's
it's a time where short term
sure. And finally due to sup
8, the 26 number 2 Frederick.
See the budget member again, I
I and it's it's it's it's
really hard to dissipate with
with the Fed and tariffs then
the and the and the inflation
environment. So we have to be
somewhat conservative and try
to have have a figure they are
able to make but not have
something that is
substantially all. Thank you.
Thank you. Any other questions
from council, anyone from the
audience only speak on this,
seeing Thank As long she is
very much next and counting
on. Are there.
We have the floor. Good
evening, MISTER Chair and
members of the for the record
I am Island and I and the
privilege of serving as the
Marion County Auditor present
with me tonight as my chief
financial Officer, Tiffany
Matthews and I will in that
they're supporting me. Here
tonight to present at the 2027
budget presentation. We often
see on the screen. And you
also to say printed copy of
budget presentation packet.
Just think we go over the for
you. A Marion County Auditor's
Office is comprised 3 areas
which include the accounting
payroll real estate tax
provisions. The mission of the
office. Marion County
Auditor's Office is to deliver
exceptional customer service
while providing the most
efficient and effective
support to our Mary County
residents, city county
employees and then there's.
Our accounting Department
division provides accounts
payable and receivable
functions for all agencies.
And ensures payment for all
city and county bills. The
division reconciles cash
balances and funds and also
issues 10. 99 ce our payroll
department. Is responsible for
processing payroll and
ensuring adherence to a
clickable legal requirements,
including new hiring reporting
obligations and we also train
and provide support to all
agencies. Agency. Time keepers
and those are responsible for
a time. Keeper is responsible
for just what it says. Time
people in every agency in
imax. I really I'm proud of
that because we did not have
that Our real estate and tax
Department, that division
provides customer service for
Marion County. Residents
processes all tax deductions,
abatements tax bill
corrections and refunds that
division and ministers all
noticing requirements,
redemptions and refunds for
the annual tax sale as well as
investigates homestead
deduction, fraud throughout
the county. The next slide you
see for flex. The positions
that we have in the auditor's
office. Totaling 30 33
positions. We have 5
administration positions, 7
payroll positions. 10 and a
real estate division. 11
physicians and accounting. We
have 2 openings, real estate
and one in accounting. So if
you all know someone that is
interesting in them and send
them our way. Our agency
staffing demographics. 27
women. And for me, 10 women in
leadership to land as well.
All of our employees that I've
mentioned. We have one
biracial, Ali, one of Army's
Hispanic, African-American, 3
Hispanic, 12 African-American,
14 Caucasian and in
leadership. We have one
Hispanic, one 4
African-American and 7
Caucasian. Far as community
engagement. We are in the
process of mailing letters.
And new application forms to
veterans currently receiving
deductions to inform them. Of
changes to disabled Bennett
veterans, deductions and
credits. The letters for
Veterans of going out this
week. Recently I had an
interview with the local news
to educate homeowners about
Homestead. Deduction. I don't
have the time. I don't know
when interview will be aired
just because the everybody's
been been about the in recent
floods that we have had. But
we are trying our best to
educate. Now, residents The
what we offer and Islanders
office. Let's talk about 2026
progress and improvements. So
the auditors office introduced
a new automated clearing House
reimbursement option for
employees. The initiative aims
to streamline the
reimbursement process and
reduce the reliance on paper
checks. We're transitioning
from paper. We the goal is to
become a paperless county. Our
a c 8 reimbursement option for
employees began JUNE. The 8th
of this year. This this is for
the city and county employees
who normally receive
reimbursements for like
conferences, meals, supplies,
mileage, cell phones or any,
you know, reimbursable items
and employee has been approved
to purchase by their agency.
And we're happy to report that
that is going well. And
basically what that means is
instead of getting a paper
check, they have the option to
have it automatically
deposited into they're
checking account or savings
account what have you? We're
using you are using budgeted
funds to review current Wt w 2
10 99 processes to ensure
compliance with recent changes
in the applicable laws and
regulations. So excited
basically to be working with
our contract. That legal. Tax
professionals on our w 2 10 99
process us. Goals for 2027.
Expand automated clearing
house participation by adding
more vendors. What does that
mean? Liz Ellis left. It
reduces check printing costs.
So we MAY allocate those
resources to other future
initiatives. I mentioned
earlier the host it. The House
to credit, but beginning in
2026, the state mandates that.
County auditor shall. And that
Homestead investigations and
Beal for in eligible that
deduction is in prior years
before the language said it
was discretionary and that I
want to talk about. Before the
next light that like the home
state sweet. Now that so New
York so in regard to ach. So
in the beginning of my term.
We were receiving complaints.
The vendors were not being
paid fast enough and then
there's didn't want to do
business with the city or the
county. We implemented a new
payment request platform that
allowed us to be paperless
also MAY paying invoices much
quicker. Our initial start of
a ch was the introduction of
employee reimbursement, which
I just mentioned. Councilor
Cahill. Reached out with
concerns. Regarding met terms
on payments and provided which
i have. A copy of of you guys
is so the city County Council
calling can that was invoiced
on JULY 31st. And this year
with a due date of AUGUST,
30th with net terms with
terms. But it was paid on
AUGUST. 12th. People soften
just before Top of largest one
like tell you about people,
Southside, what people's out
some people south as the
capabilities of setting that
terms. Acm and our purchasing
department met with their
legal counsel over concerns
that payments could not or
could be late. That or not
contracted purchase orders. We
must consider. All payments
that a 30 terms such as
utilities. Such as utilities
are not contracted purchases.
Rent, for example, rent
Invoiced at 7.15, on JULY.
15th is due on AUGUST. 1st. So
it doesn't mean that 30 days.
All right. So what are we
doing? What is the result? Be
honest with you. We don't have
the resolve, but we do have a
plan. So the next steps. Are
partnering acm and the
Treasurer's office to do an
analysis of cash flow Nick
terms and the frequency of a
ch transactions. Also, I
talked to staff on today.
Councilor Cahill about too,
just looking at every invoice
that we receive and then
figuring out how do we manage
particular invoices? And so I
also learned today that we can
also set whatever the number
of the default rather that 0
right, 20 days, right, 30
days. The goal of, though, for
offices to again, by me
receiving those complains from
vendors. It is to make sure
that. Vendors are paid on time
because also what happens is
sometimes. CHAIRMAN Lusk
Arias. We will get invoices
from agencies and they're
already. The 30 day deadline,
right? So it's up to my
office. I feel at that time.
To like make sure that the
vendors are getting as soon as
possible. So we don't have it
all figured out yet, but we
will definitely look into what
we're going to do. The
research to find out how we
can process invoices in 30 day
next period, right? Because I
understand I do understand
where you're coming from
because if a bill is the
statement date is JULY, the
31st right? But the due date
is AUGUST. The 30th, we
probably set a default. Our
look wages make sure that the
bill is not late and have it
pay like 5 days prior to
write. So guess I do
understand and I'm hoping that
I'm answering some of your
questions that had your email.
So with that being said, I'm
going to go ahead and continue
to go through the presentation
and then I will take any
questions or any comments
from. The council members.
Okay. So let's talk about 2027
priorities and goals. The
homes week. We are currently
conducting coasted
investigations. However, we
are limited due to our current
property taxing system and
ability to gather information.
Our treasure actually talked
about the new tech scene.
System that we all bought into
myself. The assessor and the
treasurer, which she talked
about tax off and exiled is I
think going to do less a world
of good in regard how we are,
you know, tracking their
taxes. Our taxes on multiple
part parcel is at once the
current property tax. System
does not have that capability.
So we're excited About ix off
using it. And even that just
the features that it brings
with it. I think it'll be good
for the county engaging in the
go. Ineligible homestay it
data and software providers in
early spring that can provide
data. So we're working
organizations that actually I
have Don, like Homestead,
sweeps before. So our goal is
for any monitoring software to
continually research current
deduction recipients in our
tax base and alert U.S. Went
public record data suggest the
property is no longer serving
as the principal place of
residence. So for the homes
that pretty you are supposed
to be living at the residence
and it is your responsibility
as homeowner's responsibility
to report that if they are no
longer residing at that
residence at that address.
Let's talk about revenue,
comprehensive homestead
deduction and the ala says the
net result is that we collect
up to 3 years of additional
taxes and associated
penalties. These collections
go to the auditors and
eligible deductions, fun, the
greater impact to the Texan
units. The net revenue crease
after removing the fraudulent
erroneous Homestead deduction
from the specific parcel.
Budget breakdown. Increase
just a little bit account. Our
county, our county general,
for 2026. Was 14 million,
346,550 were $4. It is
increased too 15 million,
107,764 dollars. Our in
eligible deductions. For this
year was $655,000. $903. This
year, solo wars, $662,128
endorsement. See one up. From
$155,509 to $182,096. Our
elected officials training
remain the same. Looks like I
probably do some traveling
nurse. I'm educating myself,
but local emergency planning
is in my budget. I'm not
really surely sure why. But
it's $110,000 and it remained
the same for next year. But a
breakdown for personnel
character. One. 2027 to a
about 145 $1461. But the
difference of $562,705 in
eligible deductions went down
this year from $572,759 to 268
$1985, which with the
difference of $303,774.
Totaling on for this year,
2 billion 814 million,
$814,446 with the $258,931 in
my notes say here, the
character, one budget
increased by. I 258,931 about
$31 due to increasing cola
union and non-union and
changes in health insurance.
So this budget funds, 33
full-time employees with 3%
cola health insurance
increases. And step and grade
increases. Character to
supplies. County General Fund
for this year. $537 and went
down the difference of $1113.
Eligible deductions and 2026
was 23,000 stay the same. So
that's the euro with the if
you could say a total of
$23,537 with a difference of
1000, $113. And the for that
difference. Is reduced
gasoline funding based off of
usage. So I'm not driving my
city car lot Budget breakdown
character, 3 I'm just going
share with you. I'm not going
to go through all the the
figures here, but our charge
facts increased by $14,112.
You'll see the The slide and
then mental health costs sunny
and we saw an increase to
$524,447 to a total of
9 Million. And capital for
last, but not least there are
no changes. Our in eligible
deductions. 23,000 for this
year and $23,000 for next
year. That is conclusion of my
2027. It brings me and I.
Available to answer ultimately
any questions think PRESIDENT
Luiz. Thank you. Thank you for
your presentation to sit
question regarding the
Homestead Review. Any day that
speaks to how often folks are
utilized as the ducks and that
should not be using
I think we don't have exactly
because. We don't have the
means to gather all the data
itself. By engaging with a
company that can provide the
software utilizes obviously
like dmv records. We thank
your dmv be in the records.
Any public data essentially it
will pull that would be can
determine now on a day-to-day
basis, we usually are able to
catch that as far as like
somebody coming. Nguyen, maybe
someone could say some of that
report. They come in and
they'll say we I move the year
ago and now I'm Alicia knows
me see my my home. So I need
to, you know, Ed or whatever
so than that, and that might
trigger an investigation are
So how how often if you don't
mind is something like that
happened again? Do you have
figure that speaks to that? So
let me say If you know just So
let me say this I can't
remember what year so Mary
County is on this week before.
Okay. Okay. What year was that
10 years ago? So with
purchasing the new software
that we have mix off. Well,
hopefully to help us be able
to catch right individuals
that have more than one most
it deduction, right? So that's
why in the presentation,
though, that I said we're
meeting with. Companies that
have done this before and that
an initiative. Our is our goal
of ours is next year to do.
The sweet and also have in
place whatever that looks
like. We don't know yet
something in place to catch
individuals that are that have
more than state deduction is
that makes us so we don't have
an answer yet, but it is on
our things to do list to get
done and the great thank you
so much that the nra says see
that data when you do have a
thank you that run. Thank you.
Counselor. Km. I think MISTER
Chair. Thank you addressing
those concerns because I you
know, we've talked more in the
past week about liquidity that
think we talked to my time on
the council and is important
and that cash flow and paying.
And I agree we should not. And
I'm not saying it's your fault
when somebody he's an invoice
after it was already do, we
shouldn't be paying invoices.
Late, but I also don't think
we should be paying early
because it has great cash And
I think this goes back to last
year's discussion because you
were talking about moving more
jc age and inherently that and
addressed. We could cut, you
know, another week. Plus, when
you don't mail a check, but
now you see agent. Well, if
you're not issuing that ac age
on the day that it's too well,
actually, they too. It's like
if there's a weekend or
whatever. But if you if you're
not issuing that at that time
and you do kind of like this,
then because at least in this
case, calling it example,
there was checkpoint, the mail
and then And then it went in
the mail that got cash.
Probably was only off by a
couple days. But when we see
age that still gets bigger.
And although we picked a
colleague example not of
dollar amount. My concern is
more like and we have a major
contractor looking milestone
or something that with check
as Labour's pch as a lot zeros
at the end and the math of
that. So my my question my
follow-up question is last
year's presentation talked
about a ch converting more to
that. You've got that is to do
this year. And you said you've
got employee reimbursement
payments that's that's great
for great things from the
employees about that process.
Better. Are there other than
that? We have anybody on a
stage today or is that still
working properly? Yeah,
absolutely. Of like a you
have. We're working to expand
the pilot, but we do have a
couple of outside of our
normal because we do a ch
outside of that. I think last
year we added, for example,
state board of accounts we
need to pay. And with this
like. Taxing unit audits, when
see those invoices, we added
those 2 ach, but this year, I
say talking with them about
the ach process. And in
talking about a pilot asked if
we would include one of their
vendors. So we did
technologies. Second one was
just added a couple of months
ago and that score pay. So
that's utilized by the the
fuel payments up They
situations where we're running
into where payments for being
and feels important for
Obviously impd I d to be able
to conduct We didn't convert
those to ach so next step
because we now have mandate.
The wearing We talked about is
next. Expanding that, but also
doing it carefully, taking
into consideration that terms
consider e considering
liquidity cash flow. We have
talked of the treasurer's
about what that might look
like. So it might not be
obviously ach every day. It
might be picky. Some certain
vendors to begin with
discussing figuring out the
frequently what that would
look like. So and then I think
with a ch 2, is that. It's an
instant are Payment. So it we
make the with the exception of
mail. I that 30. We can set
that date on on 30 right. And
we know it's not going to be
late that they received that
day so we can maximize
maximizing that 30 terms and
also make sure not paying
late. Yeah, no, that's that's
good to hear. I I hope that
and I'm glad to hear not
surprised that I'm glad to
hear the Laker fuel supplier
for that makes perfect sense.
I guess I would hope that we
would kind of the big dollars
because I realize that the
goal is to eliminate the papal
charity. But in my experience,
bang for the buck is actually
The individual payments, even
though so we MAY still be
sending of a projected to
college Buffalo, Yorkers. And
yes, a ch 2. You know,
electric company esta citizens
milestone, too. So are you
anybody gets in my opinion,
anybody 7 figures a year and
that peak hour, I look at
that. So that's that's free.
And I guess my final thing I'm
glad I want him and you are
conversations now. I think
there MAY be an opportunity
for some training with regard
to people saw and it might
address some of what you're
talking about. Where rent
doesn't but that it might be
as simple as saying for rent
put the day, the rent is due
with net 0 and then the
payment will at the So I think
I think our understanding at
the moment and that's talking
with the Rp team and my xyz,
Europe. He handles, you know,
peoples problems or issues
river. Have that we might be
able to do that on a Hope.
We're hoping we can do that on
a b#
#
level which which
would be helpful that way. We
know that specific specific
vendor possibly. Kind of nutty
some of those out that we can.
You know, if that is, you
know, 15 days are only giving
15 days for that. We can set
it for that specific vendor
rather than having it as of
the fall across. People saw
it. Yes, I would certainly
help at center I believe
that's how it's supposed want
to hear that. But yeah, I just
I want conclude with thanks
again for this is major
progress past year. Fishy with
thank you. Thank Council
council I just would like to
say to you that I do think
that we can get it done. I do.
And I think it's having the
conversations on like we live
in a hyper right. So I but I
do. I think that is something
that having conversations and
again, because I'd learn
myself today in regard to the
Deval, but the system and
actually, if it's a rule right
versus a law and what the
auditor has the authority, if
you will, to decide on what
that number looks like. So we
would definitely my staff and
we taking a look into it and
figure out what's best for
good government for yeah, for
the Thank Council rose. Thank
you, MR. CHAIRMAN and I agree
with you, counselor Cahill.
This is very tedious work. So
thank you. MADAM Auditor, you
have done great work. I think
the ach peace is not only
reducing fraud, thought, but
it's good for business. We
don't want to drive those
dinners. The waste we've had,
you know, the course of
several years and decades,
even as so many vendors and
other agencies and governments
go to some of these things
were losing out on great
getting work done in a timely
fashion. So I commend you for
that. And again, prioritizing
internally was huge. And it's
it is so tedious and it's a
case-by-case piece. I just
want to shout out the team. I
know it's a long day for you.
Thank you for showing up and
thank you for all the work
that you all to thank. Thank
you, MR. CHAIRMAN. Thank you.
Any other questions on the
ach? Is there a fee for the
vendor? 0? It like $2 less
than a and is less than a
dollar? Yeah, it's It's like
pennies compared to look at
absolutely a check time. Thank
you. Any other questions
counselors, anyone from the
audience seeing none. We'll
move on to the item. Thank you
very Thank you. And bringing
rules for commute. It.
Welcome. And good evening.
Okay. Operation Officers
Correction Council. So a
pretty young 25th floor. 23rd
you have all the attorneys you
don't know where we are all
right. You have the Thank you.
Times kids with their thank
your time tonight friend. If
you are in that position
council here tonight present
the proposed 2027 budget for
the Office Corporation
counsel. To increase snapshot
of our agency. We are the in
law firm of the city county
provide full comprehensive
legal services to all of our
city county agencies and
employees. There are 3 fritzl
divisions in our office. The
litigation Division, the
Counseling Division and the
office. It's a prosecutor our
office also administers the
office of Equal Opportunity.
Here's a snapshot of the occ
organizational chart, as
you'll see there, the 3
divisions are listed in led
Katie Campbell, our city
prosecutor who's here tonight
Ellen Gavitt, our chief
counsel and Kylie Keys there,
our chief litigation counsel,
our senior staff is comprised
of the first 3 rows. So it be
the Corporation Council, the
deputy corporation counsel,
the 3 section chiefs, as well
as our office administrator.
Our leadership is 80% women
and we are very proud of
Here's a bit a look at she
sees role is to look at the
divisions and what used to
vision does and what they do
to provide support to city
county. The litigation
Division manages the docket of
cases all the times. And each
time the city of Indianapolis
is listed as a defendant. That
is the case. We take up last
year, enforces on to the trend
the past several years. Seen
an uptick of cases filed
against the city county and
its employees last year, a
total of 118 cases were filed
with 114 resolve to be clear
114 leads back to cases. His
office, obviously especially
federal litigation last
several years or can several
years this year. So far, we're
at 65 cases filed against the
city with 76 resolved. This.
That is a higher number than
we were last at last year's
budget presentation, which is
potentially indicative that we
are going to have more cases
again filed against the city
county just showing the amount
work in the litigation
section. The county section
that's kind of you to view is
the in-house counsel. Each
agency is assigned their own
counseling attorney. And
that's usually the first
attorney those agencies go to
and they have a legal question
the legal advice. The council
section provides those told
city County agencies as well
as the 30 boards and
commissions. Finally the
office of see prosecutors, the
office that's responsible for
enforcing the code violations
and ordinance violations. Last
year, they filed 1128 cases
and close 1002 this year, they
filed 713 cases and close so
far close 667. Without past 6,
6, 6, o that's good as far as
agents to staffing and that's
going to be a portion and
future slides. Tonight we have
46, tough fte positions with
31 filled with 15 vacancies.
Our focus of our senior staff
since I've taken this role has
been on finding ways to
support our staff, continue to
give the attorneys and the
staff in our office a good
opportunity, good experiences.
What we retention we want and
also have resource to help
build their careers as well.
So things we do and things
that we use the budget for her
character threes to pay for
attorneys annual licenses. We
reimburse support staff are
maintaining credentials.
That's probably was obviously
seen with our paralegals. Many
of them are notary publics. We
find that very beneficial to
have in our office will pay
for them to get those
commission's every few years.
They need those something we
introduced last year and we're
going continue into 27 was
reached a tourney, a $500 bank
that they can use for their
own professional development.
As most probably know, in
order to maintain your
attorney license, you have to
do a certain amount of
continuing legal education
every year. So this helps
because most firms and other
places will pay for that
entirely. But this gives an
opportunity to find not only
programs and they have the in
their individual job bankers,
things that they will utilize
to help them professionally.
We provide each attorney with
a membership to the and well
wishes the in International
Municipal Lawyers Association.
There's also the Indiana
Municipal Lawyers Association.
They're members of that has an
annual conference that all of
our attorneys to tend to work
in network and meet with all
this will trays across
Indiana. It's a very fun
conference, they learned and
kind of learn different
strategies of all the things
that we all MAY be facing.
Finally, make sure we we've
really developed some internal
training education programs.
So the attorneys don't need to
dip into their bank. They can
just here in the office. Get
an hour Cle on a subject
matter that's relevant to
them. Looking to programmatic
and fiscal successes of 26. I
kind of put these into 3
different buckets. The first
and foremost, which is I think
the primary responsibility of
our offices, the reduction of
liability of potential
exposure of the city county.
So that is advising monitoring
compliance with state and
federal laws and regulations
past year and a half,
particularly there's been a
slew of new rules and regs and
things coming out. So we have
a symbol, a little team within
our office to kind of keep an
eye on that. What's happening
at the federal level and
what's happening in different
states, especially cities that
are similarly situated,
Indianapolis to see what's
happening in so we can quickly
advise our clients get
guidance and kind of interpret
if there's pivots, we should
suggest or recommend that also
just having were never caught
surprised by thing coming down
from the state or federal
level. We also resolve law try
to work to resolve lawsuits.
Earlier, as I mentioned, those
numbers keep going up. So
we're starting to implement a
system this past year that
helps identify what the issues
are in that lawsuit. What the
plaintiff truly is complaining
about to see if we can offer
what we can do and try to
gather that evidence quickly
and see if we can assess
liability and make informed
decision as far as settlement
goes or to go forward with the
litigation. And finally
utilizing on economic impact
options with a mindfulness of
the very tight budget for
these agencies. We started
identify again what MAY be a
plaintiff's complaint about
him other than offering money.
If it's a policy change
looking into that and working
with our agencies to see if
that solve the problem. At
that point, it was bringing
and trying to find non-medical
economic ways to solve law, to
resolve lawsuits, internal
legal education, which I've
mentioned, we really try to
milk the most out of our
character, 3 In addition to
outside lawyers taking the
cases we do that don't have
capacity to take or we're
conflicted from taking. We've
had a few of those counselors
come in and provide very
specific Cle trainings. We now
have an annual section 1983
training, which is a really
specialized area of his full
government law in federal
court. We've also done a legal
writing training to help.
Encourage and advocate for
lawyers to improve their
advocacy skills. In addition,
we have with our contracts
comes expectations that those
outside counsels well mentor
our attorneys. So well, maybe
with the outside. Those
attorneys are expected in
Turley who are monitoring them
to engage the attorneys. 10
depositions they're able to
attend attend court hearings
when they're able to attend
and even take the first stab
at writing the briefs and
things like that stink. It
feedback from attorneys who
practice in this area and it's
a mentor in that way. Finally
responding to legal needs of
city county agencies. These
are necessarily subject matter
legal, but this is how we can
better serve the city county
and how issues of questions
brought to us or help agencies
have tools they can use to
kind of saw their problems.
We're currently engaged with.
I sa to help improve our a
discovery of public records
law, our public records
processees. That's probably
question we get the public
records could comes in. How do
we get this? What we do so I
say has been incredibly
helpful on developing an
intranet where we can start
printed materials, search
terms. So in those the ios
Reverend Agencies are charged
with getting those public
records request. They got
confidence. These records are
streamlined their narrow, but
they're also comprehensive.
What the of what the request
is part problem solving urgent
legal issues. Again, that's
kind of goes back to following
the state local different
regulations and then also
piggybacking on the first sub
here during the work of the
agencies and kind of engaging.
I've been spending time with
each agency to learn what they
do. What are their legal needs
know what their legal needs
are and trying to help Bill
that Internet. That's not out
yet. But information on there
that helps the agency's kind
of. Self-help themselves
before coming to us are
helping to streamline that
question. Katie impacts always
challenging one to talk is
where the internal agency. But
and these are a few that I can
highlight are happening this
year. The opiate litigation,
which is also been which has
been going on for several
years. We have received more
of that distribution this year
wrecked a 17 million we've
received so far. We still
project 70 million coming in
from the opioid litigation.
The Kia Hyundai lawsuit that
dealt with alleged effect and
the heat days and led to break
ends and cause a lot of time
and effort be spent by the
impd on investigating those in
solving those. I'm happy to
say we are in preliminary
final settlement, but that is
truly all I can say about it
right now because the court of
the parties have agreed not to
speak further on it until we
hope reach that. But I will
say I do. Hope that his
resolve by this year by the
end of this year. We also
reviewing other class action
opportunities, things where
we've either purchase products
are had issues that again,
that we should be part of to
make sure we get in on those
early so we can maximize any
settlement funds from that.
Mitigating liability and
finally get Hammer home 100.
And the changes that that
really is something has
changed past years to develop
a team to just keep an eye on
everything going on out there.
Looking his 2027. So the
number one bullet point here,
the pride, the thing for
interim and that I care a lot
about this office. I've had a
phenomenal experience this
office and gain experience as
a litigator. That's my trade.
We are currently going through
a drought of litigation
attorneys so if you look at
the chart, we are going down.
So we've had to do a lot of
outside counsel because we
have an obligation to
represent the city county. But
so immediate things we've
taken. 26, I will say thank
you to hr with them for
working with me quickly. We
knew we had to get the
litigation specific salaries
up to competitive. We weren't
even close to even with you
know, whatever. And we the
state look at surrounding
counties and what similar
situated cities are. So we
found a good able to up those
salaries. We've got those
listed last month finally
getting bites again. So we're
optimistic that that's going
to be a helpful thing. Hr has
been really helpful, would
never lie to post our jobs
before. It's just kind on the
city county website. They've
been really proactive in
getting us into the all school
job the U.S. And to divulge a
job bank and kind of helping
spread the word that we have
these positions available.
Looking to 2027 if we're still
having this issue I've had
people in various
conversations. Guess it's
saved by conversation of start
with my personal network of
attorneys that are very
throughout different areas of
law. But working see if it
makes sense to change occ to
what I'll call it a bigger for
model. We create different
positions like convert, I
should positions to more like
Doc review based to come in
because at this point for
litigation, attorney, you have
to have 2 years of experience
before women hire you because
we are complex litigation. You
are expected to be fun when
you start on day one. So going
to federal court and do any
hearing so seen maybe that can
get and that way again, some
of straight of local school be
eligible to start for those
jobs. Start shadowing start
going to those hearings. And
they also have internal
quickly within the office
going for maybe a doctor
attorney, too. And assistant
us assistant corporation
counsel. So everything's on
the table. Continue take
advice on that. Any boyer's
out there. I've I'm always
willing to try to figure out
how we can make to to get that
staffing that back up in
litigation. The second is our
sauce. A partnership. We again
thank the council in 23
appropriate funds to have
partnership with the U.S.
Attorney's office with an
attorney that says 6 solely
focused on Marion County,
violent crime. That attorney
was such a success that the
U.S. Attorney's office
snatched him up and to come
out as assistant U.S.
Attorney. But we successes
hired a new attorney who is I
think starting in 2 weeks for
that's also position. So this
has been a very mutually
beneficial partnership with
the U.S. Attorney's Office and
plan to continue that 27
shouldn't you be one of the
things other than salary that
the attorneys who talking
about is again, all they do
like having these internal
trains. That's again,
something common to all firms
offer and of course, that Ray
General's office offers those
so should we have enough here
3 thinking about what other
arteries but trainings we can
offer them free of cost to
them to benefit their careers
and their service here. The
city County. And finally
always trying to make sure we
live work with all our small
locally owned firms here.
Strangely being this
litigation shortage. We have
certainly well white in that
on who we work with this year.
I can even a model for work
with this year after list that
this has been. Kind of a dire
situation of positive, aspect
of being able to work with the
smaller, especially women
owned or minority owned firms
who can do this work and help
us out with that. So it has
been opportunity to reach
those smaller for Now to the
numbers so overall, the
variance skipped just where we
are because most to character
stay straight year. Stay flat.
It's variance increase of
38,600. And $22. And I'll show
you where that goes. Character
Wian does increase by the
294,021. But that's all we do.
The 3% cola and the increase
of one percent for health
insurance. Character to stays
the same. Character 3, the
$38,000. $38,576. Variance is
again, specifically for we've
had to increase our character
3 for outside law firms this
year. And that covers that so
we can pay off those bills. I
should also just comment that
view every attorney is taking
the case during our litigation
shortage has been made aware
that our intent is to hire
people and bring this case is
back. And so this is something
that we do hoping 27. We start
getting more folks, bring it
back. And so then we don't
have that outside counsel
anymore. Care to 4 cup. Stay
flat. And then since we are,
in fact, a chargeback agency
that shows its pride different
many other agencies are
variants of the offset. What
other regions of other
agencies. That? I'll take any
questions. Thank for your
presentation. Looking over a
little bit. You're you're down
about 8 full-time employees
without a total of 15. There's
a few that we don't need to
fill. The divisions
functioning without those
physicians who want to keep in
case. We good candidates ease.
Particularly that every
division could use the help.
They're still part of our item
that in litigation 8 was the
starting pay for an attorney.
The higher. So varies now a
litigation attorney we have
now got up to 92. If it's a
senior attorney with although
that comes experience that we
don't generally higher from
the outside when that option
case they come super qualify
me that their career and what
it does public service that
starts at 101, that's health
care and everything. That's
right. Ok? Any questions from
the counselors? My And we're
boots. I is an attorney.
Council routes. Thank you.
Think I'm sure you've done the
math, the expense of
character, 3 expense of hiring
out. Versus. Kerry can one
expensive staffing those
positions so you don't have to
la suggest that you're going
to be saving money. Increasing
your staff. That's correct.
That's correct. I mean, we
obviously negotiate races from
here on pain with private
citizens generally pay for
items, but again, increasing
smaller for the better with
with with lower rates.
Sometimes we used to big firms
that are specialized cases
like you know, generally about
police cases and things like
that that have specialized
areas of law or constitutional
questions but overall, I mean,
you're kind of going to what
I'm hoping is the nuclear
option ever pushes the
consideration we just can't
get people. What does it look
like to convert to housing
council? Had. Social
conversation about that. I
understand that sometimes law
firms are law firms would
offer a flat rate solar much
that is have a guarantee.
Budget numbers open the and
now of we do know having This
how much discovery. So we have
recovered that model. I want
to be comfortable knowing we
had a solid rate and that's
what the person that would pay
that for that every year. And
even if they did more work,
that's what the number is. So
we have a guaranteed
budgeting. And you feel
comfortable you're going make
a dent in the vacancy rate in
the litigation attorney ranks.
We have not had bites and
months and months that we've
got 2 bytes who this week so
I'm hoping that's a sign of a
changing Tide. Great. Thank
you. Thank you. Thank you. Any
other questions councilors
seeing none. Anyone the
audience now. Thank Thank you.
See you budget review. A place
in the last was the best.
Marion County City Council. 35
minute presentation. And I
want to ask can just keep
everything go right to the
numbers that Monroe graded. Is
we make right. I think we
could I wanted that to you we
thank you. And 3 sides. A
CHAIRMAN. Scary, numbers Those
friends in the audience and
citizens feeling at home when
a storm Moreland. I'm the
chief staff and chief policy
officer for the Indy City kind
accounts. I'm here with our
chief Financial Officer,
Candice Harris. We're here to
present 2027 budget. But
before we get into the
numbers. Still a little
overview of the council
landscape as we when we refer
to the council this evening,
we're talking about 2
different aspects with
council. There of course, the
25 member body of which you
are all part of you are charge
of making local laws, of
course, adopting a budget by
zing in providing consent to
the administration their
functions. But then there's
also a second aspect of the
council and that's the office
of the council that supports
that work. We are a 12 member
staff. Who advises on policy
last week, right reads public
public policy research and
support your efforts. We
perform administrative duties,
making sure that minutes are
posted in a timely manner,
making sure that the
information is accessible to
the public. And we also work
to connect the work of the
council with constituents. We
communicate your work. And we
are here to answer questions
on a daily basis when the
public wants to know more
about what the council's up
to. So on side with this this
is a slide that that kind of
gives visual layout of the
landscape. The council's on
the far left there. And these
are all the legislative
executive and judicial are all
coequal branches of local
government. I think one main
thing I'd like take away from
the slide is the role the
voters we work for the public
and we are ultimately
accountable to to the voting
public. So these priorities
for Twenty-twenty 7. This is a
theme that I've been hearing
from other of departments and
happy to hear it and
investment people. We're
looking to provide more. A
professional development
experiences within this. All,
both for the council itself
and the that that might look
like media training,
communications training,
technology, training for the
counselors and for staff. Also
focus on technology to support
our work. We have lots of data
flowing through all
departments in in the city
government. We're looking at
ways to harness those data
points in ways that can better
inform your work so that you
are making crafting policy.
That's backed by data. Also we
believe the data can provide a
very good side. Real-time
snapshot, what's happening in
your districts? This looks you
how many police runs are
happening in your districts?
How many dog bites are
occurring in your Where are
their broken water mains are
abandoned houses your
districts. We think that it's
a very smart to try to to use
more the data that's flowing
through this, that enterprise
on a day-to-day basis to help
you get better connected with
your constituents. And then
finally, working to strengthen
our relationships state else.
We see city of Indianapolis a
major driver of growth for the
whole state of Indiana. And so
it's important that we are
staying in close alignment
with with the Indiana General
Assembly, making sure that
they all are aware of what
you're up to and that
communicating we need in order
to to serve our community
because we believe that
Indianapolis is vital for the
Overall, the state. Okay. So
this is the team. This one
went field. Winfield, Leanne
at Piers came as hear us and
you can solace. Leslie
Williams, Kim Nance, Angela he
and Sears and Fernando
Ramirez. Strickland. We have
to they can't rolls right now.
The chief communications
officer and the legislative
and policy manager. Those are
2 really important roles.
We're in the process right
now. Feeling both of those
roles and we're need to get
those positions filled as soon
as possible. And I open.
Welcome, teeny input that you
have if you know of people who
are qualified and talented,
who MAY want to join our team.
Okay, give it to campus. So
hunger could be over or is he
demographic? So as you know,
we're a small office and so
being that we are a small
office, we do have less than
10 years. So about 50% of
staff has been with the city
for over 10 years. And what
the other part of other have
over staffing little be less
than 10 years 0 to 10. So
pretty proud of that, as you
know, not cover here is our
office is majority female. And
we also have about a 70% of
our staff is a minority.
Moving on to our 2027 budget.
So the council office budget
is road to be smart. You guys
all know this year. We're
rounding out about 3.4 million
dollars, not uncommon with
80's with our agencies, that
82% of our budget does go to
people. So that is majority of
our budget. So just over to
the right, you see a
side-by-side based on previous
years from 26 to 27. Well, are
despite $86,000 it's something
that I just kind of want to
highlight, though. We are up
2.6% for 2027 over our budget
is down 3.3% to 2025, as many
of you guys remember last year
we are, but it was reduced as
a result of. We'll call it
reserves. And so the council
this following year, did not
grow by the amount that we
lost last year. So it just
might increase to cover care
to one expenses. Again, some
of the other ones in the next
slide. Moving on to just a
quick overview of each
characters care to Lanikai
said that previous slide for
about 2.8 million dollars. And
compensation for all. 25
counselors and our office,
will be office of 12 so that
this budget does pressed to
fill vacancies that door and
just mentioned. That's kind of
where we're landau for the
2027 for counselor counselors
and a council staff does get a
cola this year is at 3%.
Counselors are not eligible
for stepping As for Stephen
Grey, as you guys have heard
amendment presentations, I do
not know what that looks like
for the council at this time
as it is still very much its
infancy as hr agoa fame or
navigating what that might
look like. Moving on to
character 3 hurt or 3 budget
is about $600,000 again with
majority of a two-thirds of it
going to internal backs that
is par I it's a that is
building authority. We and as
well as a few other charges
that we have the kind of go
along with that. Rest of our
budget goes exciting things
such as does the operations
are running as city county
offices. So that's our we have
some slurred legal support
contracts for We have
advertising because all
businesses and have to get
posted software for running
out those meetings and other
essential items that we have.
For characters to 45. Again,
not not really much happening
3,000 $1 to cover day-to-day.
The to that you see for
internal charge back here
fight. What we pay because we
have an in-house attorney.
Don't utilize ccs. Heavy as
some of the other But we do
have to utilize them in time
for they do So I think we're
getting them for a that $2500
and the other $2500 for
equipment. And that's we use
for various purposes for
computers. If chairs break
various items within the
office. In essence, go ahead,
will it? I would characterize
our budget is pretty lean, but
I would say that our staff
very We will lie largely on
I-10 or a in our relationships
throughout the enterprise to
get her work done. And with
thank you taking questions.
Think presentation, as for
Mary. Share a quick question
for them. Well, these
computers in the car were a
great idea. And we were all
news and we is in best thing.
We can invest your money in.
And I think 3 people view some
sense I've heard. Other
counselor counselor Cahill
said when he opens it, he has
to wait. 45 minutes for us to
an update to be able to use
it. So what can we do with
those and get mean, at this
point, I thought was year him.
So thank you for So I have
heard that a So we we do pay
for those. So we are currently
going to have to rebid our
staff or contract. But my
understanding it was used as a
secondary noting that the
findings with down, I believe
we can do voice vote even we
do another meeting rooms. But
that was the from my
understanding the primary
reason why we have a lot of
times as we look at
potentially having to shift to
a different voting platform.
I'm hoping that will be able
to come a little bit more and
from modernized system that
maybe were able to use app on
your or you something else to
do it voting. But let's go
down to that would be able to
let those that have You are
right. They are only for full
council meetings. That was
what we had intended use those
forward to get away from the
buttons. The time I had the
concern that some people have
enough trouble with the red
and green button. So I don't
think we need to implementing
technology. So I still have
that concern. I don't think we
need to go to this computer
system buttons. I've never
seen them not work. And I've
been here for going 10 years.
So I would go school whole
technology push. And if bugs
don't work, we've got a voice.
We know roll call, vote. I
don't want raise more money on
technology. We don't use.
This. With just a quick one.
Thank you. Why do we have a
charge back from? I s a, you
know, budget. We do have a
charge brings That's under
that under care to 3. So r I s
a charge backs. It wasn't part
of the 3.81 Yeah. That's a
part creating. So part of
that, too, that as well as
like we have to pay for dark
copiers. For the exact number
for I say, I can tell you so
far are controlled is the 3.81
I did not break it down, but
the exact amount that we pay,
I say the 3.81, but I can let
you know what that say did
switched to a billing model
that you can go online. Be
more than happy to share that
Lee and every month I review
it is about a quarter lack
period to make sure that's
accurate. Since we went to
actual face charges I say,
thanks. And you know what?
Thank you, MR. CHAIRMAN, thank
you both for your
presentation. I was chatting
with the assistant and mail
and I just wanted to publicly
publicly say thank you for
creating priorities that are
tangible that we all can work
towards. And then again, thank
you for all your efforts thus
far this year because I know
we throw a lot at you for a
small team. There's 25 of us.
And so just want to publicly
say thank you for all your
efforts. Instrument. Thanking.
Yeah. Thank you all. So you do
a great job. Anything else to
see any? We are adjourned 7