As Ogden’s blog recommends, I’d stand firm for a petition for bankruptcy from the CIB. And I’d hook up with promoters to fill both venues with every touring entertainment productions they could book.

Have the CIB file bankruptcy, because it is bankrupt.

And the 25% sales tax revenue we generate in Indy is NOT because of the Colts and Pacers. If you believe that, you are a fool.

Have the courage to see the need to replace those on the CIB who are still here(yes yes, Fred Glass is gone) who have contributed heavily to this slow motion train-wreck? Starting with Bob Grand and basically everyone with more than a year on the board.

That might be a good topic for you on the radio when you get back. ‘Have at it!’

“Municipal bankruptcy is also not an option, because you are not bankrupt.”

This is preposterous. It can go bankrupt -or- just stop paying its bills. The state will take it over.

The G.A. created this monstrosity with the intent of keeping the CIB’s books away from the public eye.

The books of the CIB have never been audited. The State Board of Accounts is as effective as the Maginot Line.

The answer ? Stop everything. Turn the lot over to the state. Ballard has nothing to do with it at this point, though if he wanted to look less like a puppet and more like a Marine, he’d fire everyone on the CIB and replace them with forensice accountants tasked to figure out what really happened to all that money.

And investigate Luke Kenley and Fred Glass and Bart Peterson and Greg Ballard to see how much money they might’ve taken under the table.

As said before, how much does each option cost us?
1)To stay-in, requires more public taxation when there are more important public safety and infrastructue priorities for the addt’l tax revenue. How much do we spend verus how much are we suppossed to reap? When? When the economy is suppossed to improve? When do we build yet another stadium when the last one hasn’t been paid-off?
2)To not pony-up enough to keep Conseco and Lucas open, costs us what? Long-term and short-term? If we put the same proposed alcohol tax revenue stream into keeping the two facilites on “stand-by” or having dog shows (thanks Pat Early), then do we benefit long-term because we just enhanced public safety or infrastructure funding? Or, it’s a genuine hit on real tax revenue contributed by downtown merchants that aren’t already piped into the facilities?
3)It’s a game of chicken and the Colts and Pacers will stay and pay more money to do so? How long will they do that? They’re not in identical situations.
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I don’t have the answers to all these questions. I think I’d look at other cities and books on the subject. Short of being better versed with documentation, the reality is the taxpayer doesn’t have any more money to contribute- at least not for pro sports.

I say file bankruptcy. We don’t NEED the Colts or Pacers. Fill the stadium and fieldhouse with other events (which is already done, except WE get to keep the money).

If the poor, poor Colts and/or Pacers really want to stay here, they can pony up. Otherwise, I will GLADLY help them pack.

i live in lake county, and i am one of the few people there who actually pay close attention to what goes on in indy b/c i realize that we are part of indiana so it matters. here is my problem with this stadium funding proposal from a lake county perspective. first, the stadiums in indy have only a tenuous benefit to us up here. they certainly don’t directly benefit us, but only do to the extent that they bring in sales tax dollars to the state coffers. i don’t think that’s enough of a benefit to justify even one penny of our tax money to go to the stadiums there. also, the indiana general assembly has refused time and time again to allow us to use state tax money for local projects up here. (see the south shore rail extension and the levee project which is direly needed.) if it went both ways, then i could maybe see it. but the practice has always been to tell us no whenever we try to use state money for local projects, even those that would benefit the state coffers. therefore, it is unfair to raise our taxes to pay for indy stadiums when the state is unwilling to allow us a reciprocal benefit. secondly, the vast majority of people in lake county (every person i know) are not fans of the colts or pacers. we support the bears and the bulls. no offense to indy, but that is only natural b/c chicago is so much closer than indy and when i was born the colts didn’t even exist. i never even considered supporting the colts. whenever my family would decide to go to a sporting event, it would either be bears, bulls, or white sox; indy teams wouldn’t even be an option. therefore, why should we have to pay money to subsidize teams we don’t even support? basically, i think it’s fine if central indiana wants to subsidize the colts and the pacers. that is their choice, but if you asked us, we would probably say no thanks 10 to 1. these are just my opinions. i don’t mean to offend anyone on here by diminishing the colts and the pacers. thank you for hearing me out if you read this far.

What would I do if I were mayor? I would follow this simple concept – no general tax payer money should go to support a sports team.

Since there is a $47.4 million dollar deficit that has to be addressed or it will affect the credit rating of Indianapolis, here is how I would address it.

1. I would refuse to redo the Pacer deal – having them keep paying the $15 Million they currently pay, instead of “contributing” $5 million. Savings – $10 million.

2. I would pressure the Colts to contribute more. I know they are under no legal obligation to redo their contract, but as the mayor I would use the power of the bully pulpit and public sentiment to convince them to do so. The Colts are dependent on their fans – and a mayor that is pointing out how much money the Colts received for naming rights to a stadium that they want us to raise taxes to pay for, that points out how much money the Colts receive for events that have nothing to do with football – has a powerful tool to move public sentiment against the team. It would be a public relations nightmare for the Colts if they don’t pony up (sorry – couldn’t resist the pun) more money. I think we could get $10 million.

3. I would seek a ticket surcharge for any events held in CIB properties – including sports events. A ticket tax $1.00 on Pacer tickets would generate .5 million (average attendance 12000 * 41 home games), $3.00 on Colts ticket would generate 2.1 million (70,000 * 10 home games), and .5 million for Indians tickets (attendance last year was 606,000) with a surcharge $1.00 per ticket. that would be a total of 3.1 million just for sports events. Add that tax to non-franchise events at these venues and you should be able to raise $5 million.

Those dollar amounts per ticket can be adjusted if we can’t come up with money a better way.

4. Decrease costs. The article I read that they believe that they can cut costs by $5 million. Do that.

7. Sell naming rights to Victory Field. While not as high visibility as LOS, surely we could get $1 million a year.

That is $31 million – but that still leaves $16.4 million.

Here is the part I don’t like, but there is no choice in some taxes going toward this.

6. Seek to redefine the “Professional Sports Development Area” which would redistribute $6 million to the CIB.

7. Add a sales tax to items sold in the venues during events – basically a taxing zone of the LOS, CFH, and VF. You should be able to raise $2 million.

These ideas still leave us about $8 million short. We can adjust the ticket surcharges or venue sales tax to increase the revenue, or come up with other ideas. One idea I heard is a lottery scratch off ticket.

Interest rates have also fallen since we issued the bonds to pay for CIB. We should investigate whether re-financing would save us money.

These ideas would make it more expensive for a someone to take their family to a Colts, Pacers or Indians game. But better that, than raising taxes for someone that is struggling to make a house payment or put food on the table.

Two things we do not want to do is raise taxes on the general public (either state-wide, region-wide or just Marion County) or raise hotel taxes. We are trying to bring people to Indy for conventions – having the nation’s highest taxes is a sure way to kill that industry.

Cities certainly can go into default. I lived in Cleveland in the late 70s when boy wonder Dennis Kucinich led the city into default. It didn’t seem to hurt his electability, if that’s on Ballard’s mind.
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I think the game of chicken with the teams should be taken to the fullest extent, with the hopes that they at last come forward with some of their money, or leave. Their ‘value’ is overblown.
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All the restrictions you list point to the need to cut. Cut, and cut deeply until the thing balances.

How about let the CIB fail. Tell Ursay and the Simons to take their balls and play somewhere else. No other city is going to cut a deal with them. With or without the Colts. We have a super bowl in 2012. Start negotiating with other franchises and put some deals together and get rid of the appointed CIB members and start over.

Merlyn…didnt’ you hear? 25% of all sales tax revenues come from Indianapolis….and the colts and pacers are taking the credit for that!

Dobie, you are the sharpest knife in this drawer today!

just say no…… and speaking of b*lls, Mayor semper hoo hoo aint got any, anymore.

guido

I’m consistently entertained by the responses here.

First, regarding sales tax revenues: the sports teams never claimed credit for the majority of those. But in reality, they’re probably directly responsible for 20-30%, maybe more…convention dolalrs drive downtown business. Look around. And we had to have a bigger convention center, which meant, whether we kept the Colts or not, we needd the Dome space.

The public seems to forget the CIB also operates Victory Field. At a profit. Reasonably-paid minor-league athletes and responsible management. Who knew?

A public entity in Indiana has no bankruptcy option. Stop paying bills? Watch the credit rating of all similar public agencies plummet.

I agree that Ballard’s options are very limited. But here’s one I’d try, if only because no one has suggested it yet:

Gather together the mayors of similarly-affected small-market teams. Collectively call upon the NBA and NFL commissioners, and seek their help outta these messes.

They should insist that the NFL and NBA promptly seek anti-trust exemptions, like baseball, and then bargain to hold player salaries to a decent level nationwide.

The salaries are busting these teams, not the operating expenses. All the money shoved around the books, from all kinds of sources, is primarily to free up salary dollars.

Solve that problem, and you solve the ups-downs of ticket revenue streams.

Not everyone can be the Lakers. It’s time someone realized it. A collective push from a dozen or so teams might make the leagues take notice.

And then I’d shoot the commissioners. Not a jury in the world would convict you. Justifiable homocide.

Oh ye of little faith! I’m sure Mayor Ballard can find enough “fluff” in the budget to solve the problem. Wasn’t that a campaign promise?

Press release:

When I was elected to the office of Mayor, I told everyone that we had a hard road to travel from the last administration spending. Now we are at a crossroads with few options. First, we must look at the CIB books and also who is serving on this board. Changes must take place and people must be held to accountability. We must at this time cut or even do away with expenditures of the CIB board such as funding $150,000 to the Black Expo, and $1,000,000 to fund the arts here in Indianapolis.

I am calling on both the Pacers and the Colts to fund more of the cost involved with the operation of sports in this city. The then Mayor Bart Peterson and Jim Irsay together cook up a pretty great deal for themselves, but not for the average taxpayer. It is not those involved in this type of business that funds this city of Indianapolis, but is you the taxpayer who funds this city. If there has to be a tax increase I will use the bully pulpit for only two. One will be the tax the doubling the tax on alcohol in Indiana on all counties with half of it going to each county. This sports program is enjoyed by the state has a whole. The name of the Pacers is Indiana Pacers, not Indianapolis Pacers. Two, I would put a surcharge on all tickets sold that is used in any building under the CIB. It must be worded that at the time of financial stability that this tax would end.

We can not stand by and watch the taxpayers of Indianapolis to continue getting rape by only a few that comes out of this racking in more and more of their money. I will continue the fight for the average taxpayer. We have had enough.

Oh Bravo, Mr. Myers {golf clap} Care to give us a date and author of that press release?

Abdul, it seems it’s time to remind folk who appointed the current members of the Capital Improvements Board … could you please post that information again?

Libra te author of that press release was>>>me on 4-5-2009

Abdul, the CIB’s liabilities far, far exceed its assets, with no anticipated revenue stream to change that equation. There is little doubt that if CIB asked for it, a bankrtupcy judge would find the CIB bankrupt and offer relief.

Only the judge decides whether you are “bankrupt.” No one is “bankrupt” before the judge so declares.

The Colts, looking at a potential CIB bankruptcy would be singing a different tune about refusing to change the contract terms. In fact, if the CIB were ever to actually lean on the Colts, the Colts would probably start bending. Of course, if you were the Colts or Pacers facing off with the CIB, would you cave? You always know they’re going to give you whatever you want.

“WE DECLARE, That all people are created equal; that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that all power is inherent in the people; and that all free governments are, and of right ought to be, founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and well-being. For the advancement of these ends, the people have, at all times, an indefeasible right to alter and reform their government.” — Art 1 Sec 1
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“…and instituted for their peace, safety, and well-being.”
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I’m still waiting for someone to show me where government obtained the ‘right’ to do what they are doing.
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How does the CIB achieve our general “peace, safety, and well-being”?
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Remember, our government can NOT do whatever they want to…
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“No law shall be passed, the taking effect of which shall be made to depend upon any authority, except as provided in this Constitution.” — Art 1 Sec 25
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WHERE in our Indiana Constitution is all of this authorized?

Bob Kravitz’s contention in the Sunday Indy Star sports section that there should be open books for independent auditors to check is great. The collaboration between these teams and the city demands it as this has become more of a cyclical passing of the hat than a cash cow for the taxpayer. If the shoe was on the other foot, these team owners would want to know what they’re getting into. Why shouldn’t we? If the owners refuse to open their books, I think the mayor has moral cover. He can say the pro sports teams are an intergral part of our city, but not as much as public safety, sewers, education, housing, and even potholes. Without adequate data provided to help make a more reasoned decision at this contractual juncture, we have to focus on even higher city priorities, for which we have plenty of data- and most of it’s grim.

integral

If I were the Mayor, I might be writing pleading letters to the Obama administration to invoke the Presidential Reserve Callup Authority in order to return me to active duty in the Marine Corps. “Oops, sorry. My country needs me. Gotta go.”
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After all, look at all this cool leadership experience he’s been getting in the last 18 months. Next printing of the old leadership book might top 35 pages (maybe).

As Mayor I would find a way to dissolve the incompetent CIB and hold them all, including our General Assembly, and put them under citizen’s arrest for crimes against the State. If found guilty, put them all in stockades on the Statehouse lawn, tar & feather, and sell tickets for citizens taking turns raping them like they raped us, without lube, and sell television rights to Fox News. I’m sure we could make a dent in the shortfall.

Well, Paul, Fox is prob the only network that would use that footage. And they’d prob. pay for it. They have no scruples and less credibility.

Are we done with the pitchfork talk yet? How about some more practical suggestions?

Already mentioned here, multiple times: fire the CIB, fire the legislature, hell fire anyone you want. What next?

I realize folks are mad. I am too. But why so shrill? It’s not like this is a huge surprise.

Workable solutions are out there.

If I were Mayor Ballard, I would pull out my old “Had Enough” political signs and put them back in my yard. We have all “Had Enough” of this incompetent, arrogant, sell-out, phoney “would be mayor”.

Wilson, lets start by using one from your Messiah. “I (Ballard) inherited this mess.” If it works for Obama (and if you are an honest man) you have to give Ballard that one. Yeah, I couldn’t understand why he would appoint the same Bozo’s to the CIB but he did, but he didn’t create the problem, your boy Bart did and you can’t deny that.
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I say let the CIB go bankrupt (if that is possible) and than re-negotiate the Pacers and Colts contracts.

The pockets of taxpayers should not be the first choice anymore. There has to be some renegotiation with the leagues and the player’s unions.

To exert the necessary pressure I like the idea submitted where similarly situated mayors gang up some and put some real pressure as a group so that each city is not played against the others.

Look at the past. Taxes have not worked, no reason to think they will solve a problem with no end. There is more than one CPA on the CIB, lets see one of them propose a solution for once.

Renegotiation happens every day in the sports world. Let it happen here.

If I were Mayor?
I’d not walk around Detroit at night, unescorted by my bodyguards..bad things can happen, and if a cell phone is all that was taken, he should count his blessings.

I also doubt I’d make the event a press release, too.

“…sell tickets for citizens taking turns raping them like they raped us, without lube..” — Patriot Paul @ 26
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Oh HELL no! I want to coat that shaft with Poly-Grip and pea gravel!
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Why make it any easier on them !!!!!

Think Again – Workable solutions are out there ?
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You suggest shooting people.
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Methinks you’re drunk typing.
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Let the teams go, stop building stupid convention space, stop subsidizing idiotic hotels and what not.
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What, and let Lucas Oil go to waste you ask ?
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It goes to waste now. It’s only used 15 times a year, tops. The only reason it was even built was cause the rich people and the construction unions banded together to commit the greatest robbery in the history of Indiana.
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Sod it all.