The Sunday Post - June 21, 2026: Tax Increase Passes, Data Center Updates, and Community Ideas
- Michael-Paul Hart
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
A weekly report from Councilor Michael-Paul Hart — Building the Smartest City in America.
Volume 2, Issue 25
A Resident’s Vision for a Small Community Space
This week, I met with a young District 20 resident who has a creative idea for an unused easement near his home.
His neighborhood is a small, close-knit 1950s community off Southeastern Avenue with roughly 40 to 50 homes. He sees children and older neighbors walking through the area every day and wants to explore whether the unused space could become a modest, self-managed community gathering area.
I appreciated both his creativity and his sense of responsibility for the neighborhood around him. He is not waiting for someone else to make things better.
He is looking for a
practical way to help.
This is a new type of request for me, and I am learning alongside the neighbors. I asked Council staff to identify any permitting or land-use considerations and to help connect potential partners, including Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and the Parks Foundation.
These are the kinds of ideas that make Indianapolis stronger. A resident saw an opportunity, cared enough to act, and invited others into the work.
Wheel Tax Increase Advances
The wheel-tax increase passed out of Committee Tuesday evening on a party-line vote. I oppose it.
I said during committee that this Council spent more time developing a snow policy than it did seriously evaluating alternatives to a major tax increase on residents.
The Mayor’s Office has said it can make the first-year state match. That should have given us the time to fully examine other options, including adjustments to existing tax levies, responsible budget reductions, and the natural growth in local revenues expected over the next several years.
These are not theoretical options. The Council reviews tax levies and the budget every year. We
should have examined whether we could dedicate more existing revenue to roads before asking residents to pay more.
I also urged the proposal’s supporters to index any increase to actual need and include a clear end date. The state matching program lasts five years. This tax should not continue indefinitely without a clear public discussion and a vote on whether it remains necessary.
The impact will also be greater than some supporters are suggesting. Many households have more than one vehicle. For residents on fixed incomes or living paycheck to paycheck, the costs add up quickly. A household with multiple vehicles and a utility trailer could face a much larger annual bill than the commonly cited amount.
I have also spoken with authors of the state legislation. What is clear is that “new dollars” means dollars not previously spent on road funding. Existing tax revenues newly dedicated to roads qualify toward the match. That is an important point, and residents deserve a clear public explanation before being told that a tax increase is the only option.
Data Center Commitments Must Be Specific and Enforceable
This week, I met with District 20 residents who are working carefully through a proposed list of commitments for the data center project.
The goal is straightforward: if the project moves forward, the commitments must be strong enough to protect nearby residents and ensure the developer is accountable to the surrounding community.
The commitments should be specific, measurable, and enforceable. They should address the issues residents have consistently raised, including air quality, noise, lighting, traffic, water use, construction impacts, and ongoing communication.
A few additional pieces of information became available this week. An air-quality report compares anticipated emissions from the project with nearby businesses and industrial uses. We also received a letter from Irvington Community Elementary School.
The school has not taken a formal position, but it appears to be communicating with DC BLOX and appropriately keeping student health and safety at the center of its review. I intend to continue listening directly to the school and the surrounding community in the coming weeks.
We are still waiting for information related to the state’s financial commitments. The next Metropolitan Development Commission meeting is scheduled for July 1.
I encourage anyone following this proposal to read the draft commitments closely. If you see a gap, raise it. I am happy to help make time for residents to share their concerns with the applicant’s representatives and strengthen the final commitments.
Transparency, accountability, and local leadership matter most when a project has the potential to shape a neighborhood for decades.
SmartIndy and Smarter Local Government
SmartIndy has an event coming up next Wednesday focused on improving the tools we use to organize, communicate, and engage residents across Marion County.
This work is part of a larger countywide conversation about smarter local government. We need better information, stronger neighborhood connections, and more practical ways for residents to be heard.
Happy Father’s Day
Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and men who show up for the
children in their lives.
I am grateful for two healthy, smart, loving children, and I am looking forward to spending time with them today.
No matter what your plans are, I hope you are able to enjoy the day with the people who matter most.
Thank you for staying engaged. Please continue sending your questions, concerns, and ideas. Strong neighborhoods and smarter local government start with residents who are willing to speak up and be part of the work.
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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.
