Board approves $150,000 workplace utilization study to inform Indigo real‑estate and budget planning

At the Oct. 16 meeting the board authorized Indigo’s CEO to execute a contract with a vendor (referred to in the presentation) for a workplace utilization study not to exceed $150,000.

Brooke Thomas, chief development officer, said the study will document how administrative staff use office space and will inform the fiscal sustainability study and the 2026 capital program budget. The consultant team will observe workspaces, interview staff and provide recommendations about space needs, potential cost savings and, where possible, revenue opportunities (for example, shared training‑academy use).

Thomas said the study will examine the future of Indigo’s leased properties, including the IMI property and the Michigan Street parking lot plan, and will seek to produce evidence‑based recommendations rather than rely solely on staff assertions about space needs.

A motion to authorize a contract not to exceed $150,000 passed by roll call. A board member noted a conflict and recused themself from that particular vote; the motion carried.