Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in New Albany public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
34 issues with high priority
Police cars and fire equipment funding
A second-reading ordinance would appropriate and transfer funds for new police cars and fire equipment — an investment in emergency response for the whole city. Public comment is scheduled before the vote.
Oak Street reconstruction and Charlestown/Slate Run signal
A water main relocation along Oak Street will let stalled sanitary and stormwater work resume. The broken Charlestown Road/Slate Run Road signal should be fixed and striped by the end of the week.
DePauw Avenue conservation district
The residents' lawsuit over the subdivision approval has put the final plat timeline on hold indefinitely. The city has promised that any final approval will require preservation commission sign-off on the new buildings.
Construction traffic through Windsor Creek subdivision
Residents of Tudor Trail say heavy construction trucks are using their neighborhood entrance instead of the Camer Miller entrance, damaging a sewer, streets, and parkways. The developer says the main entrance can't handle big equipment until a wider S-curve entrance is built, but committed to redirecting traffic once it's ready.
2027 City Budget and 5% Employee Raises
Non-union employees, contract-covered union employees, and elected officials all get 5% raises in 2027 — following a 10% raise last year. Supporters say competitive pay keeps quality workers; dissenters want a market study first and worry about future layoffs.
Diseased historic oak at 522 East Market Street
A massive Depression-era oak — one of the city's top trees — is dying from bacterial leaf scorch and dropping large branches. Falling limbs nearly hit cars and neighbors stopped parking on that side of the street, so the board decided removal is safer than waiting for a catastrophic failure. A replacement, likely a willow oak, will be planted.
Alley traffic safety near Reno Avenue
Residents of the 2100 block of Reno Avenue say drivers treat the alley like a racetrack — one child was nearly hit, and a neighbor was allegedly threatened with a gun after reporting speeders. The board installed warning signs and is having the engineer evaluate a stop sign.
Wastewater campus modernization project contracts
The sewer board hired an engineering and design team for the big plant campus modernization project — Clark Dietz as lead engineers, TowerPinkster on architecture, plus surveying and geotechnical testing. Work starts this month and includes road and sidewalk improvements at the plant's main entrance.
Early voting begins October 6
Council Member Murphy reminded everyone early voting runs October 6-30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the 4-H Fairgrounds and Nova Park.
Cooling stations and Community Foundation transportation program
Up to $7,500 in unrestricted opioid settlement money will help Culbertson Baptist Church run cooling stations when it's 95°F or hotter — bus passes, water, snacks and a coordinator, centralized at one location this year. Money goes out in two halves with receipt-based reimbursement.
Zoning letter to Central Christian Church over alleged on-site occupancy
The city's zoning office sent the church a letter alleging a homeless man had been living under an awning and that allowing it amounted to unpermitted transitional housing. Council members Phipps and Gohmann criticized the letter as heavy-handed, noting police had no incident record and the man has secured permanent housing.
Public Records Lawsuit
New Albany is being sued by the local newspaper for refusing to hand over records about the Providence Mill Dam lawsuit. If you care how the dam fight is being handled behind closed doors, this public-records case is the one to watch.
Animal Sales Ordinance
After a collaborative rewrite, the council passed rules for animal sales establishments: veterinary exams on arrival, lab testing within seven days of sale, buyer disclosures, due process for license holders, and flexible enforcement through animal control or code enforcement.
Alley vacation for Oxbo mixed-use development
The city vacated a public alley so Oxbow Mixed Use, LLC can build a dumpster enclosure and parking bay, with the city keeping a permanent utility easement and neighboring owners consenting 100%.
Citywide water system repairs
Indiana American Water needed an emergency repair permit for a water main break at Green Valley Road and Knable Lane/Martin Drive. Main breaks like this can disrupt water service and cause street damage.
River level and flood control operations update
The district's monthly operational update puts the river at 15.1 feet — well within normal flood-control range. The Army Corps finished its annual dredging at the old boat ramp, and the district ran its usual statistical system testing and maintenance. July financial statements were delayed and will come next month.
Flood Control District Leadership
The levee's pipes are about 76 years old and federal rules require a camera inspection every five years. The board approved the inspection agreement to stay in good standing with the Army Corps and the federal flood insurance program.
Failing pipe head wall behind Greenway Commons
A pipe and head wall behind Greenway Commons is eroding and sinking out of alignment, which would keep water from clearing properly in a major flood. The board approved an HMB contract to replace it before flood season.
Property Acquisition
New Albany’s Redevelopment Commission is set to buy the old clubhouse property, giving the city more control over what happens there next. The purchase could steer future development—or at least keep the site from sitting idle.
City-county Merger Opposition
New Albany’s mayor is publicly opposing a proposed city-county government merger, saying the setup “do not work.” The fight matters because a merger could change how local services are delivered and how taxes are set for residents.
Temporary moratorium on data center construction
The city is pausing new data centers for up to a year while it studies noise, infrastructure costs, and cleanup rules, and drafts zoning regulations. Public comments received so far run about nine to one against data centers.
Development Moratorium
New Albany’s city council just put a one-year pause on data center development, so no new projects can move forward while the city reviews the rules. If you care about land use, tech growth, or what gets built near you, this is the moment to pay attention.
Appropriation of Unrestricted Opioid Settlement Funds
The city is using unrestricted opioid settlement money to keep the cooling station at Colgate Baptist Church running June through August — paying for a coordinator, water, snacks, and rides for folks trying to escape dangerous heat. On any day the heat index tops 95 degrees, the station opens at 2 p.m.
Data center moratorium
New Albany now has a one-year ban on new data center construction while the city updates its outdated zoning code, with a Planning Commission hearing expected in August. Council members debated whether the moratorium could block legitimate business uses like server rooms.
DePaul Avenue alley vacation amid subdivision litigation
Residents petitioned to vacate a portion of alley off DePaul Avenue that's tied up in a larger fight over an approved subdivision. Vacating it could cut off access to nearby property, and the city attorney warned acting while the plat lawsuit is pending carries legal risk.
Village Pine Drive basement flooding and creek maintenance
A recent storm officials called a thousand-year event overwhelmed city drains, and council members asked for notes on problem areas and a stormwater department update at a future meeting.
Pearl Street gas main replacement
A new water main is going in along Shelby Street near the middle school, with crews racing an August 4th school deadline. One side of the street will lose parking at a time while the work happens, and residents get door hanger notices.
Emergency Repair Program Extension
The $10,000 emergency home repair benefit now follows the homeowner instead of the house, so new owners can still qualify even if the previous owner used the money.
Data Center Zoning
New Albany is racing to set data center zoning rules before big facilities land. These projects can eat up land, strain utilities, and shift tax revenue, so the rules will shape what the city gets and what neighbors deal with.
$15,000 food pantry appropriation for Hope Southern Indiana
Hope Southern Indiana's pantry is seeing a 22% jump in demand and 100+ new families a month, worsened by the library pantry dropping USDA donations. The city's opioid settlement money would feed about 125 more people.
Floyd County local income tax task force (MUST)
A state-mandated county task force is planning how local income taxes will work after 2029 property tax changes. Council Member Blair wants the city involved — either joining the county's shared tax or going on its own.
Knobs Landing sewer capacity
A 124-unit apartment project off Old Vincennes Road got its sewer capacity certification, but staff said the basin will be at capacity once it's built. Future growth in that area will have to divert to a 12-inch main across the road.
Library food pantry closure gap
The county library's food pantry — serving 563 people a month — is closing, and the city didn't cause it but may fund a stopgap. Committee members agreed unanimously that some funding source is needed while community groups organize a longer-term solution; nothing was voted on tonight.
Multifamily housing and short-term rental moratorium extension
The council extended the freeze on non-owner-occupied multifamily construction and short-term rental permits until the new zoning code is finished — likely by January 1. Critics (three no votes) worry each extension pushes new rental housing further out, potentially to 2030.