The Sunday Post - May 31, 2026:New Taxes for Indy?, Curfew Fix, and OPHS Accountability
- Michael-Paul Hart
- 16 minutes ago
- 4 min read
A weekly report from Councilor Michael-Paul Hart — Building the Smartest City in America.
Volume 2, Issue 22
Wheel Tax and Road Funding
I do not usually make these updates about party labels, but in this case I think residents deserve
clarity.
On Friday, I learned about the proposal from Council Democrats to increase the county vehicle excise surtax and wheel tax with intent to fund local roads and qualify Indianapolis for additional state road funding.
Under the proposal, the county vehicle excise surtax would become a flat $100 for many passenger vehicles. Larger vehicles, including large trucks and buses, would see the wheel tax increase to $240.
If approved, the increase would begin January 1, 2027.
In plain language, this would show up when you renew your vehicle registration. For many residents, the line to look for on your BMV renewal is “County Vehicle Excise Tax.”
The proposal is expected to be introduced at the full Council meeting on Monday, June 1.
It is then expected to receive public discussion in three committee meetings, all reportedly scheduled for 5:30 p.m., with locations still to be finalized:
June 9: Administration and Finance Committee
June 11: Public Works Committee June 16: Rules and Public Policy Committee
After those committee hearings, the proposal will return to the full Council for a final vote. Local reporting and conversations I have had with the proposal sponsors has also noted that Mayor Hogsett opposes the tax increase and could veto it, however, the Council could override a veto with a two-thirds vote.
My starting point has not changed: roads need to be a higher priority in the city budget. In the past, I supported proposals to look first at existing dollars, including reducing spending across city departments and shifting more money to roads. Before asking residents for more, the city should show that current tax dollars are being used wisely.
If you support this proposal, oppose it, or want changes, now is the time to speak up. You can write to me, contact other councilors, attend the committee meetings, and follow the Council agenda as the proposal moves forward.
Fixing a Curfew Loophole for 17-Year-Olds
Last month, the Council approved temporary public safety curfew hours for the summer. For ages 15 to 16, the summer curfew moves to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, ending at 5 a.m. For children under 15, the curfew is 9 p.m. every day.
After that vote, I was informed of a gap involving 17-year-olds in the special curfew language. That is not something we should leave unclear.
The proposal being introduced is a technical but important fix to make sure 17-year-olds are clearly included. Public safety laws need to be clear for parents, young people, officers, and the community.
This matters. Indianapolis’ first homicide victim of 2026 involved a 17-year-old after midnight. We should be serious about preventing young people from being in dangerous situations late at night while also making sure the process is fair and clearly understood.
OPHS Accountability
I am also introducing a major accountability proposal for the Office of Public Health and Safety.
The OPHS audit confirmed serious issues that need to be fixed. The audit identified high-risk
findings involving program documentation, invoice documentation, program effectiveness, contracts connected to OPHS staff, grant handling, and vendor compliance.
My proposal is straightforward: before OPHS receives additional Council appropriations in future budgets, the department should correct the audit findings, show its work, and have those corrections validated by the Council and the Office of Finance and Management.
This is not about stopping good work. It is about making sure good intentions are backed by documentation, oversight, and proof that taxpayer dollars are being used correctly.
Building the Smartest City in America requires more than technology. It requires accountability, transparency, and local leadership that residents can trust.
Ethics Disclosure and Public Access
This week, the Ethics Committee considered Proposal No. 145, which would remove the home address requirement from the Councilor Disclosure Statement. I voted in favor of the proposal. The committee advanced it by a 4-1 vote.
I want to be clear about my view. I do not believe removing a home address from a form will stop someone with malicious intent. I also do not believe it makes councilors less reachable. We have public email addresses, phone numbers, websites, Facebook pages, and regular public meetings.
In my seven years on the Council, very few people have ever come to my home for anything. A few years ago, my business was vandalized, and that business information is still part of the disclosure process.
As always, I am available if you need me. If you are reading this newsletter, you already know exactly how to get ahold of me.
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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.
