YOUR QUESTIONS

How do city budget hearings work? How does the tax rate come together and what is a levy?Good question and it’s not an easy answer. The city of Carmel’s property tax rate is actually several rates added together, one for schools, one for the city, the township, the...

I have noticed that some local companies become “corporate sponsors” of Carmel events. Why do this and how does it benefit the taxpayers?Creating and sustaining a strong sense of community has been a primary goal for the City of Carmel for more than two decades. We do...

This year, my tax bill went up pretty significantly. Did City Counsel raise taxes?Actually, no. The City of Carmel tax rate payable in 2021 is 0.7877 per $100 of net assessed value, same as for taxes payable in 2020. The reason your tax bill went up is because your...

I keep hearing about a possible future new bridge to connect Carmel and Fishers. Is that true?Yes, both Fishers and Carmel are working on new pedestrian and bicycle bridge connecting both cities over the White River in the very near future. Both the bridge and the new...

I see Carmel city crews all over the city paving streets. When is my street going to be paved?During the summer, we certainly do see a lot of street paving taking place across the City. Our Street Department works hard to keep our local streets in good shape. More...

My sidewalk is starting to buckle and crumble. Will the City of Carmel fix this? If not, is there financial assistance available?Good question. We know that some of Carmel’s older neighborhood areas are beginning to show signs of aging, including the deterioration of...

Is it true there are fewer flowers on the bridges that span over U.S. 31? If so, why?The flower baskets you see spanning over U.S. 31 (Meridian) and Keystone Parkway are placed so that water does not drip onto the cars below. This is why there are sometimes four...

I don’t see my street on the city’s list to be paved this year. How does the Street Department determine which streets to pave?The City of Carmel’s Street Department uses the PASER rating system, which is recognized by the Federal Highway Administration as an...

Where can I get the most updated financial information on the City of Carmel’s debt?Our City Controller Ann Bingman has worked hard to upload all of the City’s debt information into the EMMA system, an online database that is easy to navigate and search for all of the...

I've noticed that some sporting events are shown in Midtown plaza while others are not. How do you decide what is shown?We would show everything if we could. Unfortunately, there are many hurdles that need to be cleared before we can show sports events on the big...

We see a lot of road construction going on in Home Place. What is that all about? The Home Place project is not really about roads, but about drainage. The City is working with the Hamilton County Surveyor’s Office to improve drainage in the Home Place area in order...

What’s the deal behind all the hanging flower baskets in Carmel? Who oversees them and what is the cost? Many years ago, Main Street in Carmel looked like most small-town Main Streets in the Midwest, with empty store fronts, small businesses struggling to attract...

Why are we spending so much money to create a new park on the south side of City Hall? Although we do love our Carmel parks and the many green spaces we enjoy, this particular project is much more than just another park. It’s really all about fixing a drainage issue...

What’s happening with the proposed new Carmel Music & Film Festival? COVID has hampered funding for this event, which in turn has hindered the ability of our Community Relations and Economic Development team to firm up plans for this event. Mayor Brainard, along...

What’s going to happen with the school at Orchard Park? The latest official word (as of March 1) is that there still has not been a decision made by Carmel Clay Schools. As City Council members, we are not part of that decision-making process, but we join many in the...

Why do the roundabouts at Main/Gray and 126th/Gray have two forward lanes? Is that less safe for pedestrians? The City Engineering Department conducts traffic studies and pedestrian safety studies in advance of designing each roundabout in Carmel. The traffic analysis...

How much money has the City of Carmel received from the federal government to help with the Covid expenses? The City received about $3 million from the federal CARES Act and those funds went toward expenses incurred because of the pandemic, such as for Covid testing,...

I saw a lot of mailboxes down after the recent snow plowing. What happens if my mailbox gets plowed under? We noticed as well and it turns out that when we have a heavy and wet snow, there is a much better chance that a large block of snow/ice could damage mail boxes...

Why must the City of Carmel insist on building new streets and roads to connect all of our neighborhoods when many residents would prefer privacy? As we continue to develop our City for the future, one key fundamental of city living is how our public street network...

I heard the City of Carmel got a $1 million grant from the state for local road projects. Exactly what will you use this money for? As we continue to find ways to bring our local taxpayer dollars back to our community, the City of Carmel was pleased to learn that in...

Why doesn’t the City of Carmel pick up leaves from the curbside, the way some other communities do? Decisions made regarding the disposal of trash and yard waste are made with a few factors in mind. The primary concern is the impact to the environment and the City’s...

If it snows, when will I see plows in Carmel? Up to 3" of Snow When there is up to three inches of snow, the Carmel Street Department salts and/or plows only the main streets such as Range Line Road, Main Street, Gray Road, Spring Mill Road, 116th Street and secondary...

How should pedestrians and cyclists safely use the Monon Greenway at intersections? The video below, produced by the Carmel Police Department, will quickly answer this question. Authored by Laura Campbell, Sue Finkam, Kevin Rider, Jeff Worrell, Tim Hannon, Bruce...

Why is the City working to change current zoning laws to allow for Accessory Dwellings (aka “granny flats)? The need to offer a variety of housing options has long been a topic of discussion in city planning. By all measures, Carmel has been experiencing rapid housing...

It seems like this summer that Carmel's city water hasn't been as soft as usual. Has something changed? Nothing has changed, but you did pick up on a “summer vs. winter” issue that impacts the way we soften our water. Here’s the background. Softening city water is not...

I saw the Council President order a member of the public to leave a public Council meeting. Was that legal? The City Council has observed certain rules of conduct designed to keep meetings orderly and respectful for all. At times, we understand passions can get the...

How is the Carmel Police Department responding to questions about the use of police force and how officers are trained? Take a look at this video clip of Carmel Police Chief Jim Barlow addressing many issues before the Carmel City Council Authored by Laura Campbell,...

What is a Levy Appeal and why is Carmel proposing one for 2021? The City Council recently heard a thorough explanation of the city's tax levy as it pertains to the annexation of Home Place and the adjustment that needs to be made. In this video, city financial...

What are the rules about allowing political signs in your yards? Can my Homeowner’s Association override my First Amendment freedom of speech? We asked the City’s Corporate Counsel to help usdissect this issue as it seems to come up every year … just before the...

How does the annual city budget come together? Most residents don’t seem to hear about the annual city budget until it comes before the City Council in the fall. But the truth is, the development of the budget is something that begins in the spring when city...

Why do we have black grime coming out of our faucets after we hooked up to City water in Home Place? According to John Duffy, our Director of Utilities, this is likely that the water pressure to the house is higher than what the home well was putting out. This can...

Why is the City using TIF to support a private development at 126th Street and Gray Road? The use of Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is a economic development tool provided by the State of Indiana that can be employed to benefit a city in a variety of ways. Here in...

Why does the Carmel Fire Department send fire trucks to medical emergencies? This seems wasteful. This is one of the most common questions posed to our Fire Department. For some people, it may seem a waste of resources to send out a big red fire truck to every EMS...

Why did the City close the intersection at Range Line Road and Carmel Drive again? This a relatively short closure, 3 weeks at the most. We are going back in to install new raised crosswalks that have been in place at other Range Line Road crossing points. These...

Why did the Carmel City Council urge everyone to wear face masks during the COVID-19 quarantine? We are concerned about the safety, health and well-being of everyone in Carmel and felt it was the right thing to be part of the solution to this pandemic. The CDC...

Where can I find regular updates on COVID-19 here in Carmel? COVID-19 resources: Mayor Jim Brainard's Daily Reports are available here. Carmel Updates regarding COVID-19 are available here. Authored by Laura Campbell, Sue Finkam, Kevin Rider, Jeff Worrell, Tim Hannon,...

How is this water line expansion in Home Place supposed to work? A: After the annexation of Home Place, the City of Carmel is beginning to make improvements in infrastructure, especially in areas that have never had city water in the past. Here are some questions and...

Why do I always see big trucks on Keystone Parkway? I thought they were illegal on this road? You are correct. Trucks carrying more than 19,500 pounds are restricted from certain City streets listed in our City Ordinance, including Keystone Parkway.  However, there...

I saw something on Facebook about Carmel's water being dangerous to drink. Is that true? Recently, a few people on social media were discussing Carmel’s water quality because a local resident used a home testing kit to measure the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in his...

Is the City going to ban skateboards from Midtown and the Arts & Design District? No, that is not the intent of recent amendments proposed to the City of Carmel’s ordinance that covers skateboards. The intent is to keep our residents safe and City property...

It's rumored on social media that the city has banned delivery trucks from driving on roundabouts. Is this true? This is definitely NOT true and we are unclear as to how this possibly could have been promoted. The City of Carmel welcomes all local delivery trucks as...

Why does the path on Main Street not extend all the way to Keystone Parkway? The initial plan for the path along Main Street was to construct path all the way from Keystone Parkway to Gray Road. As our engineers were designing the project, it was noted that there is a...

Why are dogs not allowed at the Farmers Market? Dogs don't seem to be a problem at events in Fishers. We love our furry friends and family members. As you may know, Carmel has been recognized as having some of the best dog-friendly places in central Indiana. And we do...

Should there be a rule regarding residents saving their spots for public outdoor events? We think it is wonderful that our residents look forward to great events like the Parade and our concerts at the Gazebo! However, the Council has heard from many people who feel...

When I see police cars or hear sirens, is there a way I can be informed about what is happening? For better transparency our Carmel Police Department uses a program called CrimeReports.com – which is user-friendly and is updated at least twice a day. You can zoom into...

What is the city doing to address the danger of pedestrians crossing roundabouts? Thanks for this question, as it is a reminder that roundabouts were not built in order to allow motorists to speed through intersections. On the contrary, roundabouts are designed to get...

When will the unacceptable noise from the coolers behind the Booth Tarkington theater be addressed? We are actively pursuing a remedy to this situation. The City has been working with a noise consultant to find the best way to reduce the amount of noise being made by...

Are there any updates to the plans to expand the Carmel Clay Public Library? The City of Carmel has very little to do with the design plans for the library’s future expansion project, unless those plans somehow have an impact any public right of way or streets. We...

Can I set up an educational non-profit in Carmel? Thank you for your interest and your passion to find a way to support education in Carmel! The simple answer is yes, you can. Anyone can set up a non-profit as long as they meet the rules required by the state or...

Why won't you answer questions regarding political campaigns on here? That’s a fair question. As stated on our About Page, Let’s Talk Carmel is a repository of commonly asked questions and answers pertaining to the City of Carmel and the actions taken by this...

In the debate over incentives to attract jobs, I've heard the term “multiplier effect”. What does that mean? This term is often used in economic development discussions and it refers to the number of jobs created whenever a single high-paying job is added to the local...

Why is the City Council redistricting? In 2016, the City Council voted to change Carmel from a class 3 city to a class 2 city. With this change, the council gets an additional two seats, one district and one at large. Not only does this change allow Carmel more...

What is happening to the land at 116th Street and Range Line Road? The southwest corner of 116th and Range Line has seen some changes over the past year as Kite Realty Group purchased the land and demolished the existing retail structure. Kite is proposing a...

How does granting tax abatements and TIF partnerships help Carmel residents and small business owners? Good question and we are happy to explain! The City of Carmel – like just about every City in America – works hard to attract new companies and new jobs to their...

Considering what is spent on new roundabouts and road work, does the city run a deficit each year? And if so, how much? There seems to be a great deal of confusion about our city finances. Many believe what they read on certain social media pages that Carmel is in a...

Where are the buildings that taxpayers were guaranteed? Dear Mr. Shaver, We have reviewed your concerns and offer the following information to address your questions. We grant you that the project is not yet fully constructed, but through many years of experience with...

Is Carmel planning on extending the hours of the Monon Greenway like Indianapolis did? With the expansion of the Monon Greenway in the Midtown area, along with the added opportunities for nightlife in our central corridor, the City is planning to increase the hours to...

What are those “wrap-around” spaces being built at the base of the new Veterans Way parking garage? This is a clever way to make a parking garage look less like a parking garage and more like the rest of City Center. This project is another example of mixed-use...

Why does Carmel purchase so much public art from out-of-town artists, instead of local artists? When people raise questions about public art in Carmel, they typically are focused on the big-ticket items, such as the Seward Johnson statues or the roundabout sculptures...

What is the benefit of building more roundabouts? Aren't they more dangerous than conventional intersections? The safety and traffic mobility benefits of modern roundabouts are well established and accepted by the Federal Highway Administrations, most all state...

Why doesn’t the City build a pedestrian bridge for students over 136th Street near Carmel High School’s football stadium? Students who park in the football stadium parking lot must cross 4 lanes of traffic in order to enter the high school campus. We have heard some...

How does the City of Carmel justify “robbing the schools” of tax money when they do TIF projects? This is a fair question. Here is the background: whenever Carmel partners with a private developer on a TIF project, property tax revenues from incremental assessed value...

Why is the city putting dedicated bike lanes on its streets when we already have the Monon Trail? The Monon Trail has played a key role in the redevelopment of our City’s central core, helping to spur a certain vibrancy and economic boost in areas such City Center,...

Why is the speed limit on some parts of 116th Street 35 MPH, while narrower parts are 40 MPH? The speed limit on 116th Street from Meridian to Range Line is currently 35 MPH. However, the speed limit from Meridian to Towne is 40 MPH. There are many factors that go...

Do “speed humps” have to be so high? Can they be lowered? In order to lower the raised pedestrian crossings, you would need to completely remove them or modify the ramp leading up to the crosswalk elevation, thus extending the transition length. The heights are...

Why does the City spend so much on Christkindlmarkt? Over the past few decades, the City of Carmel has offered support for many activities that serve as community celebrations – events where residents can gather in public spaces and make new friends or catch up with...

When will the Palladium ever be self-sustaining? Unlike many performing arts centers, the Palladium was established before an endowment was in place to help support its mission and its building project. Typically, it takes years for such an effort to get underway,...

What’s with the big “speed bumps” on Range Line Road? These are speed “humps” or “raised pedestrian crosswalks” and they serve a couple of purposes, both tied to increased safety. As the Range Line Road corridor has begun to change, along with the nature of the area...

Allegedly, the City paid $250,000 for the new Gluhwein Pyramid at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. If this is true, how do you justify spending that much money? This is just a rumor. The City did not pay one penny for the new Gluhwein Pyramid that is featured at this...

Why are we placing our priority on bikes over cars when more people drive cars than ride bikes? It’s hard to imagine a City that has built more than 120 roundabouts being accused of prioritizing bicycles over cars, but this is one of the questions we often get. Thanks...

Why do we spend so much money on statues and roundabout art? Whenever a city invests in public art, questions are raised. Why spend money on a statue or a piece of roundabout art when this road needs to be paved or that storm sewer needs to be replaced? We agree … a...

    I understand that Carmel’s debt continues to rise. Is this going to be a burden to our grandchildren? On the contrary, the investments that the City of Carmel is currently making in its redevelopment areas will be a gift to your grandchildren, not a...

  If Marriott won’t build their own hotel in downtown Carmel, why should the taxpayer? When a City takes on the burden of expense related to the construction of an amenity like a sports stadium or a hotel, it is reasonable to wonder… “Why not let the private...

Carmel spent millions on the Monon Trail for bicycles. Why do they now need to ride on Range Line Road with costly planters? Range Line Road was once seen as a major thoroughfare in Carmel … four lanes of heavy traffic with a center turn lane (so you might as well say...

I saw the last bond was backed by a “Special Benefits Tax. Does that mean my taxes are going up as a result? On the contrary, the City of Carmel has never raised local taxes in order to cover a bond issue. In fact, whenever bonds are issued for various projects –...

Why does Carmel use TIF? Let’s begin with a simple definition. TIF stands for Tax Incremental Financing, a tool created by the State of Indiana and used all across the country to encourage redevelopment of areas that have been neglected over time. Here is how TIF...