CARMEL, Ind. -- People who live in Carmel may have to pay more in taxes to help foot the bill for downtown developments that are costing millions of dollars.

Mayor Jim Brainard said he's been consistent in saying that while taxpayers won't pay to build the Palladium -- a $150 million performing arts center -- funding will be needed to operate the facility, 6News' Tanya Spencer reported.

After an independent accounting firm delivered a detailed financial presentation to the Carmel City Council two weeks ago, some council members said they still weren't being given the whole financial picture or assured the Carmel Redevelopment Commission can really afford the massive downtown developments.

Council members who asked for more figures received them on Monday night. An accountant outlined seven pages of numbers -- data that showed the commission has plenty of money to finance the city's bold projects.

According to the accountant's figures, the city will come out ahead by $2 million to $4 million each year for the next five years.

After that more detailed presentation and a three-hour meeting, the mayor and council agreed that the disclosure of figures broadened the council's understanding.

"We're getting there," said Council President Rick Sharp, who was asked if he was satisfied. "There's not less secrecy than I thought earlier, but there is less secrecy now because so much has been put out into the public eye."

Some taxpayers took the podium at the meeting, calling the Palladium a "money pit," and blasting Brainard over a weekend newspaper article that claimed he admitted taxpayer money would be needed to operate the facility, something the mayor said he had made clear all along.

"We've been extremely clear from day 1," he said.

"There's no accountability to me as a council member and as a taxpayer in the city of Carmel," said Councilor John Accetturo.

Carmel boasts the fourth-lowest property taxes in the state. Brainard insisted residents' taxes will remain low and that aggressive downtown development may lead to lower property tax rates in the future.

Sharp asked the accountant to come back to the finance committee meeting, signifying that a months-long debate is still not over.