The Sunday Post - Jan 4, 2026: New Year, New Leadership: Council Elections and the Boards Behind the Big Calls
- Michael-Paul Hart
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
A weekly report from Councilor Michael-Paul Hart — Building the Smartest City in America.
Volume 2, Issue 1
If you missed it last week: I shared my “What’s Next in 2026” roadmap, including the priorities I am focused on and the standards I will use to measure progress as we work to build the smartest city in America. I know many families were unplugged over the holiday week, so if you did not catch it, you can read it here:
What to Watch for with New Council Leadership
A new year brings a new leadership lineup and a new operating rhythm.
Things I will be watching closely:
Council operations and efficiency: how the President’s office runs meetings, manages agendas, and drives follow-through.
Committee leadership: especially anything tied to land use, zoning, infrastructure, and fiscal oversight.
How the Council approaches major “seasonal” fiscal proposals early in the year and how that sets the tone for the full budget cycle later.
I have a strong working relationship with Councilors across the aisle, and I plan to keep it that way. That is how I can produce results in the Minority Caucus. It is also how we protect core priorities like public safety, infrastructure, and responsible growth.
Why board appointments matter
Here is the simple truth: boards and commissions are where policy turns into approvals.
A rezoning, variance, or special exception can change:
what gets built
how traffic flows
whether infrastructure keeps up
what happens to neighborhood character
whether development is a net win for the community
If you have ever wondered, “How did that get approved?” the answer is often: a board made the call.
A smart city does not just run on technology. It runs on:
clear rules
predictable processes
high-quality decision-making
transparency and accountability
That starts with who we appoint.
Two boards every resident should know: MDC and BZA
Public Tool Everyone Should Use: The Vacancies List
If you want visibility into board openings across city government, the City publishes a boards and commissions vacancies database that includes vacancies, term dates, and appointing authority.
If you are interested in serving, the City also provides a centralized board application page.
This is a practical place where more residents, professionals, and neighborhood leaders should step up.
SmartIndy update: Housing and Homelessness
SmartIndy is starting the year strong.
We are moving into our second Housing and Homelessness Committee, and I am excited to
share that Nick Morrison will serve as Chair. Nick brings real vision and urgency to housing affordability and homelessness, and I’m grateful he’s bringing that talent to our team.
We also made important website upgrades to help members stay connected:
Interactive events calendar for SmartIndy meetups, listening stops, and hosted events
Discussion groups page so members can stay engaged between meetings
Committee pages for members who join working groups, plus a general space for everyone else to stay in the loop
Smart cities do not happen by accident. They happen when people show up, share information, and build capacity together.
✅ Review the vacancies list and share it with someone who should serve Granicus
✅ Track MDC and BZA decisions when a major project is proposed in your area Granicus+1
✅ Join SmartIndy and plug into a committee or the general discussion group
Thank you for reading Indianapolis City Council Updates 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.
Reading the vacancy list really highlights why the Indiana Republican Party needs to get serious about backing a competent, conservative mayoral candidate. The same people have been running the show for far too long.