City-County Council passes 2022 budget

The Indianapolis City-County Council approved the 2022 budget Monday night. The more than $1.3 billion spending package passed with a solid majority vote. 

District 4 Councillor Ethan Evans (D) was the sole vote against saying the city should be doing more to help increase housing affordability, mental health services and homeless assistance.

“We should be making much larger strides and taking faster action in meeting those goals,” Evans said.

The city also budgeted an additional $420 million from the American Rescue Plan for the coming year with much of the funds going to public safety.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department receives a record $295 million in spending. Investments include new technology and more officers for community patrols.

READ MORE: City officials partner with National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform to increase public safety

District 20 Councillor Joshua Bain (R) said he would like more investment in Indianapolis infrastructure.

“There’s no long-term plan in this budget to address the infrastructure crisis,” Bain said.

The budget includes more than $125 million in new investments for the Department of Public Works for infrastructure and greenways.

District 14 Councillor La Keisha Jackson (D) said the 2022 budget places more emphasis on equity than in the past. “In the parks, in infrastructure, in some economic development,” Jackson said.

The council made few changes to the budget since it was proposed over two months ago.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.