Indianapolis mayoral candidates Democratic incumbent Joe Hogsett, Republican State Sen. Jim Merritt and Libertarian Douglas McNaughton participated in the races final debate Monday night.

The African American Coalition of Indianapolis held a debate on issues that affect the black community.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett discussed his plan to address systemic racism with the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis and the Baptist Ministers Alliance.

Voters will decide the next mayor of Indianapolis on Nov. 5. Ahead of that decision, WFYI City Reporter Darian Benson spoke with the candidates.

The council passed the $1.2 billion budget 22-2. It includes increased funding for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Indianapolis Fire Department and $500,000 for food insecurity initiatives.

The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, CHIP, gave the candidates five questions -- including how they would address racial disparity in the barriers to housing.

Three Indianapolis mayoral candidates participated in a public forum on the city's neighborhoods. When asked how they would improve commuter traffic on the city's northeast side, each candidate had a different solution.

The group presented the mayoral candidates with desired changes in education, public safety and economic policy.

Democratic incumbent Joe Hogsett and Republican challenger Jim Merritt's first face to face mayoral debate focused on fighting poverty and raising the minimum wage.

The largest allocations from the city go to three categories: 22% for public safety initiatives, 25% for the broadly defined "public services," and 38% for criminal justice services.