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Council confirms Andrew Merkley as director of Office of Public Health and Safety, 23-1
Summary
The Indianapolis City-County Council approved the mayor's appointment of Andrew Merkley as director of the Office of Public Health and Safety by a 23-1 vote after one councilor requested additional vetting and public questions be answered.
The Indianapolis City-County Council confirmed Andrew Merkley as director of the Office of Public Health and Safety by a 23-1 vote at its meeting.
Merkley was the mayor's nominee and the appointment passed out of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee by an 11-0 committee vote. Council discussion included one explicit request to return the nomination to committee for further questions before a final vote.
Councilor Brown said he had received a list of questions from a community group, Allies for Humanity, and asked for an opportunity for Merkley to answer them before the confirmation. "Would love a chance to offer Director Merkley a chance to answer those before we vote," Brown said during the floor discussion. Merkley, who was present, said he was willing to answer questions but did not ask the council to delay the vote.
Chairman Robinson moved the proposal forward after committee approval; the motion was seconded and the council voted. The official vote tally recorded on the floor was 23 yeas and 1 nay. The transcript does not identify the member who cast the single no vote.
No additional formal direction to return the nomination to committee or to require follow-up reporting was recorded during the meeting.
