Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Appointments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City-County Council committee approves appointment of Candace Harris as council CFO
Summary
The Rules and Public Policy Committee approved Proposal 71-2025 to appoint Candace Harris as chief financial officer for the Indianapolis City-County Council after Harris outlined her public-sector experience and councilors discussed earlier, more transparent budget work.
The Indianapolis City-County Council Rules and Public Policy Committee on Feb. 18 approved Proposal 71-2025 to appoint Candace Harris as chief financial officer for the council.
Harris, introduced to the committee by Committee Chair Councilor Dan Boots, presented a prepared statement summarizing her background in local and state government and her priorities for the CFO role. "I do not have all the answers, but I will find a pathway to obtain them," Harris said, adding she would emphasize transparency, efficiency and collaborative problem-solving.
Why it matters: The council office oversees the local budgeting process and provides fiscal guidance to councilors. Committee members used the confirmation hearing to press Harris on the council's role in budgeting and to urge earlier, clearer budget preparation to improve oversight.
During the meeting, Councilor Michael Paul Hart of District 20 asked Harris to work with staff and the mayor's office on a more "digital format that's easily digestible for counselors to have better insights into our budget," saying the current materials are difficult to navigate during budget season. Councilor Carlos Perkins of District 6 said the council should begin budget work earlier in the year, saying, "the budget process does not start in August. It needs to start in January." Several other councilors voiced support for Harris and for deeper, earlier engagement in the budget process.
The committee approved the appointment by voice vote after a motion and second were called; committee minutes do not record a roll-call tally. Chair Dan Boots called for the vote, and committee members responded in the affirmative. The committee chair declared the proposal adopted by voice vote and welcomed Harris to the council office.
The meeting focused on the single agenda item: the appointment. Members emphasized their interest in working with Harris on budget preparation and information presentation ahead of the next budget cycle. No additional formal directions to staff or follow-up assignments were recorded in the committee discussion.
The committee adjourned after the appointment vote.
