Council members might disclose gifts

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Would you like to see the Pacers play at home? Or have an up close view of Andrew Luck and the Colts?

If so, can you afford tickets?

Brian Mahern has filed a proposal that would require council members to disclose gifts received from government entities, including municipal corporations, like the Capital Improvement Board.

The CIB manages Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium.

Documents 24-Hour News 8 obtained show Mayor Ballard and other elected officials report free gifts they receive over $100.

Councilor Mahern wants council members to do the same.

“This proposal not only says that gifts from municipal corporations will be reported, it also says that any gifts over $100 will be reported and their value,” Mahern said.  “There’s a big difference between a gift that is $100 and a gift that could run into the thousands of dollars. Now, we just don't have that kind of transparency.”

But Council President Maggie Lewis says the board keeps no secrets and currently discloses that information.

Annually, members of the council post gifts they receive on the council’s website. Lewis says she looks forward to hearing her colleagues’ opinion on the proposal Monday.

"I'm not saying that we can't make any changes but I believe the current ethics form works for us," Lewis said.

As a member of the CIB, Lewis has access to Pacers and Colts games. She says tickets are often handed out to constituents but admits to attending games herself, occasionally, then reporting it.

Mahern's proposal will be introduced Monday night.

The proposal also adds gifts going to council members' spouses and dependent children and requires the value of the gifts to be listed.