IndiGo introduces $432 million 2026 budget; public hearing set for July 31

IndiGo’s executive team on July 17 introduced the proposed 2026 budget: a $432 million program that includes $153.9 million for operating, $257.6 million for capital investment and $21 million for debt service.

Budget Director Justin Burko and CFO Bart Brown presented the operating and capital details. Burko said the operating budget represents a 4.85 percent increase over the 2025 adopted budget and follows a zero-based budgeting approach tied to the agency’s strategic priorities, including protecting frontline workers, increasing ridership and long-term stability. Personnel services are budgeted at $84 million, other services and charges at $54 million, and materials and supplies at $15.5 million. The proposed operating budget assumes 919.5 full-time-equivalent positions.

Key revenue assumptions include $42.7 million in property tax revenue (a 4 percent growth in assessed value), $81 million in transit income tax/refund-related revenue (portioned between operating, debt and capital), $11.4 million from Indiana’s public mass transit fund, and $14.6 million in federal formula operating revenue. Staff proposes using $25.9 million in stimulus funds to balance the operating budget. On the capital side, staff anticipates $142 million in grant funding and roughly $95 million in bond proceeds to support major projects such as the Blue Line BRT construction and East Campus work.

Burko noted next steps: a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 31, and a board vote on budget adoption at the Aug. 21 meeting, after which the budget will proceed for City-County Council and state review.