Councilors should vet justice center deal

Public safety is the most important issue facing our city, and the City-County Council has a central role to play in creating a safer Indianapolis. This is why we cannot delay a public vetting on the administration’s proposal for a modern, safe and efficient justice center. More importantly, we cannot allow political bickering to take the place of genuine discussion on the merits of the project.

Indianapolis needs a new justice center—one that allows the sheriff to focus resources on keeping criminals off of our streets; one that allows tax dollars to fund programming rather than deferred maintenance costs on crumbling facilities; one that allows staff, judges and jurors to safely carry out their duties.

This issue has been studied in a bipartisan, public manner for more than three decades. The mayor, sheriff and our judges have proposed a solution.

It is our job as the legislative body to give the proposal a fair review in the public light.

The council has been involved in the process since late 2013. Both caucuses have formed individual task forces to meet with the administration to understand the concept, financing, delivery model and department savings.

The council’s chief financial officer was on the committee that selected the winning bid. Any claims that the council has not been involved are disingenuous.

By the time this proposal is heard in committee, more than 70 council briefings will have taken place, with additional opportunities to hear and discuss the project during public meetings.

Councilors, the mayor, the sheriff, judges and every other officeholder have a duty to act in the best interest of taxpayers. We can’t allow our justice system to languish in an inadequate state for another 30 years until election cycles perfectly align.

Punting to future lawmakers is to abdicate our duty as elected officials.

So let’s have the debate, but let’s have it now. Let’s tear into the deal and ask tough questions—something most councilors have been doing all along.
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City-county councilors Jefferson Shreve, District 23; Jeff Miller, District 19; Will Gooden, District 3