INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council passed their 2022 budget by a vote of 23-1 on Monday, Oct.18.
The 2022 budget was the last of five major components to Mayor Hogsett’s comprehensive fiscal plan announced on August 9. The plan includes:
• A three-year strategy for the distribution of $419 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding,
• Bond issuances worth nearly $170 million for the first phase of Circle City Forward, for new municipal facilities and public space improvements
• A $25 million allocation for the third phase of Circle City Forward, to design and enhance trails and greenways throughout the city
• More than $91 million in rental assistance funding from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, to increase tenants’ eligible benefits from three to 12 months of rent
• The 2022 Consolidated City of Indianapolis-Marion County operating budget
Rental assistance funding, American Rescue Plan funding, Circle City Forward Phase 3 funding, and numerous elements of Circle City Phase 1 bonds were unanimously passed by the City-County Council on September 13. Remaining elements of Circle City Phase 1 bonds received unanimous passage on September 27. With broad bipartisan support, tonight the Council passed the 2022 budget, which will be made available on January 1.
The 2022 operating budget included expanded capacity for the Assessment and Intervention Center, additional staffing and resources for re-entry services, continued funding for body-worn cameras for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, an increase in road funding, and more. It also includes the creation of a consolidated emergency services agency to facilitate a more efficient dispatch, expand capacity, and improve emergency management functions. It is the first City-County budget in 20 years without funding for a private adult detention facility.