Watch live from Indianapolis City-County Council as they vote on a veto override and data center ban
The Indianapolis City-County Council met to vote on a mayoral veto override and discuss a proposed data center ban. Mayor Joseph H. Hoget presented the city's $1.9 billion budget for 2027, focusing on infrastructure and public safety without tax increases. Councillor Brown introduced a resolution to remove three Metropolitan Development Commissioners for approving data centers despite public opposition and a requested moratorium, but this motion failed. The council also failed to override the mayor's veto on a separate tax proposal, which was unrelated to data centers.
The Indianapolis City-County Council convened on August 10, 2026, to address key city matters, including a vote on a mayoral veto override and deliberations regarding a data center ban. Mayor Joseph H. Hoget unveiled the city's 2027 budget, totaling nearly $1.9 billion, which he touted as the 10th consecutive balanced budget. The Mayor highlighted significant investments in infrastructure, public safety, and community services, including a $15 million allocation for Department of Public Works (DPW) facilities, new labor contracts, and a $100 million annual commitment to local transportation, matched by state funding. He also announced plans for the first city-owned Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) facility since 1995 and expanded services for the unhoused.
City Controller Abby Hansen further detailed the budget's financial health, noting strong credit ratings and clean audit opinions. She outlined the budget's priorities: increasing employee compensation (including a new step and grade policy), securing $50 million in road funding through income and stormwater taxes, and streamlining core government services. The budget includes $27.5 million in property tax-backed debt for capital projects like the IMPD North District Station and DPW garage renovations, without increasing the overall property tax rate.
During the meeting, Councillor Brown made a significant move by introducing Proposal Number 277, a resolution to remove three council appointees from the Metropolitan Development Commission (MDC): Greg West, Daniel Morardi, and a third unnamed commissioner. Councillor Brown asserted that these commissioners consistently approved data center developments, disregarding the