CIB Uncertain About Cuts, Future

INDIANAPOLIS -- Members of the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board met Monday under a cloud of uncertainty about further cuts and the future of the organization as a whole.

Last week, Gov. Mitch Daniels and Mayor Greg Ballard outlined a plan to merge the CIB with a larger city agency and recommended the organization make $13 million in new cuts, on top of the $10 million already authorized.

It's all in an effort to make up an expected $47 million budget shortfall from the operations of Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse, Victory Field and the Indiana Convention Center.

At the board's monthly meeting on Monday, members said they have no specific plans yet to make cuts and have not seen the report, comparing Indianapolis' sport venue operating costs with those of similar-sized cities, on which Daniels based his plan.

"The mayor and the governor are working out this deal. I've said all along, I'm appointed by the mayor and the mayor and the governor are working out the details," said board president Bob Grand.

A spokesperson for the governor said the report is being analyzed by the Department of Management and Budget and won't be released until that process is completed.