Indy Update - July 27, 2025: From the Minority Leader: Accountability, Transparency, and Local Leadership
- Michael-Paul Hart
- Jul 27
- 2 min read
By Minority Leader Michael-Paul Hart
Working to Make Indianapolis the Smartest City in America
Budget Deep‑Dive: Fighting for Accountability in Independent, Data‑Driven Council Finances
What started as a quick check-in with the Council CFO turned into a game-changing strategy session. For the first time in years, your Council has a full‑time financial professional in‑house, and Republicans are using that resource to support taxpayers.
Smarter mail, smarter city. We secured sufficient funds in the 2025 budget to send district mailers that do more than just say hello. The intent is that each postcard will list both emergency and non-emergency numbers, spotlight ongoing capital projects, and include a QR code survey so neighbors can rank their top priorities.
Guarding your voice. The City Controller has asked every department to reduce its budget by 4% next year. Our office accounts for barely 0.2 percent of the city’s $2 billion budget, yet we are the legislative branch without our own budget analysts. I will push to exempt the Council from across‑the‑board cuts until we have the tools to give you transparent, data‑backed oversight.
New Leadership at Animal Care Services
On Wednesday, the Council’s Community Affairs Committee approved
Amanda Dehoney‑Hinkle as the next Director of Indianapolis Animal Care Services. With two
With decades of experience in animal welfare, including nine years of running Greenfield-Hancock Animal Management, Amanda brings both frontline and executive expertise. Most importantly
, she has already met with our volunteer network to keep their passion at the heart of the shelter’s future. WIBC 93.1 FM
Pride of the East Side: Warren Township Back‑to‑School Rally
The gym was electric as teachers, staff, and administrators geared up for the 2025‑26 school year. Warren Township schools remain a pillar of the East Side community, and Republicans are proud to support them.
Shout‑out: Thank you to every educator who answered the call. Your dedication is the heart of our SmartIndy vision.
What’s next: We’ll continue to highlight academic achievement throughout the year with quarterly “Classroom Spotlights.” Reply to this email to nominate a class or club.
Audit Committee Report Card: Clean Bill of Health
Friday’s Audit Committee meeting reviewed the independent audit of the 2024 city‑county finances. Result: No material weaknesses found. That means the books balance and your tax dollars are accounted for.
Full audit is linked below for anyone who loves details.
Republicans continue to lead on oversight, striving to keep every department honest and efficient.
SmartIndy in the Spotlight
Our Public Safety Roundtable Report is already making waves. The Indianapolis Business Journal profiled SmartIndy as the conservative, solutions‑driven PAC bringing stakeholders together to cut crime and grow opportunity.
Read the story: IBJ – “New Conservative PAC Aims to Engage Stakeholders on Indy’s Issues”.
Next milestone: August 12 kickoff fundraiser. Seats are filling fast – reserve yours today.
Thank you for reading and for supporting common‑sense leadership. Together, and with the community driving accountability, we are turning bold ideas into real‑world results.
Accountability, Transparency and Local Leadership
See you next week with more updates from the Neighborhood.
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