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Council President Maggie Lewis

Council President Maggie Lewis

The Afternoons with Amos PODCAST for Wednesday, July 1st, 2015.  (Interview Starts At 01:50 Mark On PODCAST Media Player). The anger, frustration and disappointment of leaders of the Indianapolis City-County Council exploded on Afternoons with Amos in the wake of the revelation that City Controller Matthew Kimmick unilaterally transferred some $6.8 million dollars from the IMPD budget to the Fiscal Stability Account, a reserve account of the city/county which acts as a cash reserve account for emergencies.  The decision was revealed to City-County Council leaders earlier this week and Council members are livid and angry.  The Council had approved spending public safety income tax money, some $4.7 million to buy new gas powered police cars for IMPD and make some improvements to some IMPD facilities.

Monroe Gray

Council Majority Leader Monroe Gray

The original proposal passed by a wide margin in the Council, but was vetoed by Mayor Greg Ballard.  The Council by an unprecedented 28 to 1  vote overrode the Mayor’s veto and the appropriation should have been made.  But the City Controller transferred $6.8 million from the IMPD fund; ostensibly to “repay” the money which had been withdrawn from the fund last year. All to reassure the city’s major credit agencies Moody’s and Standard and Poors, particularly Moody’s which issued a “negative outlook” on the city’s finances on June 3rd.  Appearing on Afternoons with Amos City-County Council President Maggie Lewis, Majority Leader Monroe Gray and Councilman Joe Simpson blasted the City, the Mayor, the mayor’s Chief of Staff and Former Controller Jason Dudich and Controller Kimmick for their decision.

Councilman Joe Simpson

Councilman Joe Simpson

Council leaders and the Council’s Fiscal Officer Bart Brown were never informed about the decision of by the City to transfer the money from IMPD’s budget. The Council leaders said it was irresponsible for the city to take this action, particular with no warning or consultation.  (Interview Starts At 26:23 Mark On PODCAST Media Player) Then in an Afternoons with Amos exclusive, Amos talked with Controller Kimmick and Mayor Ballard’s Press Secretary Brad Jacklin to hear the City’s side of the story.  Kimmick said that back in 2011, the City had promised the credit rating agencies that they would maintain balances of some $80 million in the Fiscal Stability Fund.  Because monies has been withdrawn from the Fund for important services, “borrowed” to use Kimmick’s term, he and Chief of Staff Dudich decided to move money from the IMPD funds to “repay” the Stabilization Fund. When asked when the City knew about the concern of Moody’s placing the city on the negative outlook, Kimmick said in June.  When asked if the public was notified, Kimmick said a pres release was issued by the Indianapolis Bond Bank.  But Amos exploded saying no such release had been distributed.  And Council leaders knew nothing about it and weren’t briefed.  Kimmick really couldn’t or didn’t want to answer repeated questions of why couldn’t other funds be transferred into the Stabilization Fund.  Which after transfers would have some $72 million of the desired $80 million level.  In response to Amos’ questions, Controller Kimmick said that there needed to be better communication between the Ballard Administration and the Council.  That answer caused Lewis, Gray, Simpson and Bart brown to explode in anger.  They pointed out that council leaders had repeatedly asked the city if they could be allowed to meet with the ratings agencies to hear their concerns.  The anger in both sets of interview raises concerns about how the final six months of the Ballard Administration will go.  The City did provide late Wednesday afternoon the ratings reports from Both Moody’s and Standard and Poors.  Click To Read Them.  MOODY’S REPORT ON INDY FINANCES    STANDARD & POORS REPORT ON INDY FINANCES

John Gregg

Governor Candidate John Gregg

(Interview Starts At 52:53 Mark On PODCAST Media Player). John Gregg nearly beat Mike Pence in November 2012.  Now a rematch may be in the offing as Gregg is one of three Democrats running for Governor.  In an exclusive Afternoons with Amos interview, John Gregg explained why he’s running again and he took directly after Gov. Pence.  Calling him weak in leadership, wrong on the issues, one who seeks to divided Indiana.  Gregg said that Indiana needs a Governor who will lead, bring people together. Who will increase better paying jobs for Hoosiers and who will care about Hoosier families and concerns; not a social agenda.  There are two other Democrats who’re running for Governor, Supt. of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz and State Sen. Karen Tallian.  Gregg spoke highly of both candidates, but directly his criticism and fire at Gov. Pence. John Gregg encouraged listeners to check out his website to learn more about him and the issues in the 2016 Governor’s Race.  Click Here:  GREGG FOR GOVERNOR WEBSITE  The Afternoons with Amos PODCAST for Wednesday, July 1st. Runs 99 Minutes. ©2015 WTLC/Radio One. PODCAST Starts After Brief Video Ad.