Controlling Carmel Spending

CARMEL, IN.(WISH) - Carmel's City Council made another move to take control of the city's spending.

Monday night, the council approved the creation of a new city agency, the Carmel Redevelopment Department.

Carmel has a Redevelopment Commission which has spent money, and incurred substantial debt, without council approval.

That changes under this proposal.

Such spending has been part of a continuing review of the millions spent by the commission. 

On Thursday, September 20, council members discussed whether to re-finance the CRC debt.

At a lengthy committee hearing that evening, council member Luci Snyder said council members needed to understand “the risk of additional taxes being imposed on the residents of Carmel”.

“There was a promise made that that wouldn't happen," Snyder said at that hearing.

"And I'm going to try to keep that promise as best I can.  Probably re-financing.  And tucking money aside for a potential shortfall.”

The proposal approved on Monday night would put the commission under the control of the new development agency.

The change would take effect on January 1, 2013.

The council offered to hear public testimony on the refinancing proposal.

Two people came forward at the Monday session. 

No vote was taken.