Meet the candidates for City-County Council District 4

Two candidates are running for Indianapolis City-County Council District 4: Republican Natalie Goodwin and Democrat Nick Roberts. District 4 is the far northeast corner of Marion County. Incumbent and Independent Ethan Evans did not run for reelection, both Goodwin and Roberts ran uncontested in the primary. 

Goodwin, 34, has a communications and marketing background and worked for a number of Indiana’s Congressional Republican lawmakers, including current U.S. Senator Todd Young. She currently is Associate, Head of Network at venture capital fundraising firm Ivy Ventures. 

Roberts, 23, has a communications background and currently works part-time as Director of Community Relations for the Lawrence Township Trustee's Office. He also freelances as a data analyst, is owner of Roberts Data Analytics LLC and volunteers for a number of government groups, including the Greater Lawrence Chamber.  If elected, he would be the youngest member of the council. 

WFYI and the Indianapolis Recorder sent each of the candidates six questions to help voters learn more. 

Editors’ note: Responses were edited for style and grammar, and any numbers used were checked for accuracy. When a statement required more clarification or could not be independently verified, WFYI reached out to candidates before publication. Those instances, and those candidate responses, are noted throughout in editors’ notes, marked by an * and presented in italics.

Early voting opened Oct. 11. Election Day is Nov. 7. 

NATALIE GOODWIN

What are the top concerns that your district’s constituents have shared with you, and what are the issues that you foresee affecting them most in the next two to three years?  

Residents in the 4th district have consistently voiced concerns about high crime rates, inadequate investment in public works and infrastructure, and the need for more economic development and quality of life enhancements.

Public Safety

When it comes to public safety, many residents are concerned about the lack of criminal prosecutions for offenders, high homicide and overdose rates in our city, the attacks on police officers, and the shortage of more than 300 IMPD police officers* who are needed to deter and address crime.

*Editors’ note: Mayor Joe Hogsett has hired more than 700 officers since he took office in 2016, but from 2016 to 2022, IMPD lost close to 740 officers. In 2023, the department reported hiring 75 officers and losing 136 officers as of September's IMPD budget hearing. The department is currently looking to hire about 300 more officers to the force.

As councilor, I will work across party lines to prioritize public safety through community policing efforts that build trust and collaboration between law enforcement, the mayor’s office, citizen action coalitions and neighborhood leaders. I will hold leaders accountable and ensure law enforcement and first responders have the support and resources they need to effectively respond to emergencies and curb violence and illegal activity in our city.  Our citizens must feel safe in their neighborhood, community and workplace, and too many residents are being victimized by crime.*

*Editors’ note: With some fluctuation, the number of criminal homicides have trended up in Indianapolis in recent years with a spike after the pandemic. 

I will also work with community organizations and government stakeholders to ensure federal, state, and grant funding for mental health services are leveraged and best utilized by the city. We must do more to support residents who are suffering from mental health challenges by increasing accessibility to treatment options as a way to break the cycle of recidivism and addiction.

I will also support rehabilitation and re-entry initiatives to ensure that those who have previously been involved with the criminal justice system have second chance opportunities to forge new career paths and become productive members of society again.

Infrastructure

The city is currently funding around half of our total estimated infrastructure needs,* which is unsustainable in meeting current and future demand of our roadways. 

*Editors’ note: The city increased the infrastructure budget in recent years. This year’s DPW budget is $212 million. The state and federal governments also contribute to infrastructure spending. 

We must get serious about tackling this problem instead of continually kicking the can down the road, which is why I’ve proposed to:

• Create a commission to fully evaluate road funding and other infrastructure needs in order to provide clear and actionable recommendations for the city to take, so it can fully meet its annual obligations.
• Engage with state and federal leaders to advocate for road funding and regulatory changes that supports Indianapolis’ current and future infrastructure needs.
• Evaluate having the state retake authority of state roads in Indianapolis, so the Department of Public Works can focus more of its limited resources on main thoroughfares, neighborhoods, streets, sidewalks and alternative modes of transportation.

We must recognize the importance of rethinking our infrastructure funding mechanisms to align with the growing prevalence of diverse transportation methods and the desire among citizens to live in more connected, pedestrian, and bike-friendly environments.

Economic Development

Residents are concerned about the sluggish downtown recovery as many storefronts are vacant* and major real estate, such as Circle Center Mall and Castleton Mall, are shells of their former, thriving selves. Axios reported that downtown Indianapolis' foot traffic is 41% of what it was before the pandemic— ranked 48th among major metros. Since 2020, Indianapolis’ population has continually declined. We cannot sit idly by as more businesses wither or close up shop. We must reverse this trend immediately to enhance prosperity and upward mobility for all residents in Indianapolis. Addressing public safety concerns, establishing a sustainable infrastructure plan, cultivating a stronger, more friendly business climate, and reimaging and redeveloping core facets of Indianapolis will reinvigorate Indianapolis, attract more talent, and spur growth.

*Editors’ note: WFYI was not able to confirm retail vacancy rates. According to a report from Downtown Indy, Inc., the downtown office vacancy rate is 9.4 percent.

I’ve worked in the private sector for small businesses and helped them grow. In my current role I am helping to invest in start-ups and supporting entrepreneurs who are working to solve incredible challenges with innovation and ingenuity. Indianapolis must serve as an incubator for entrepreneurs and top talent. I will bring my business experience to the City-County Council and encourage public-private collaborations that spur job creation and inclusive opportunities for all residents

Affordable housing is a major issue in Indianapolis. What measures should the council take to address this? 

Historically, homeownership is the largest source of wealth for families, making the issue of affordability so important as many socioeconomic barriers stem from whether families have stable and safe environments to raise their families and get to work. Local government plays an integral role in housing affordability and access as a result of permitting and zoning processes and property tax assessments.

Currently, the permitting process in Indianapolis can take many months,* adding up to an estimated 25 percent of the overall cost of the project. This is too long and too costly. The permitting delay is in part due to inadequate staffing levels at the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. Staffing needs to be added and/or certified third-party entities need to be contracted with to conduct inspections, so Indianapolis can meet its housing demands at a lower cost for our residents. If third-party entities are certified and used, there must be audits and accountability measures in place to ensure public safety is maintained.

*Editors’ note: The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, DBNS, has been attempting to streamline the permitting process. Residents have reported issues with the Department of Metropolitan Development and DBNS. Candidates point to problems that include staffing and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Watch the budget hearings for the DBNS and Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee here.

There have also been significant delays in releasing bonds back to builders, which slows development and increases aggregate costs. Simple administrative processes must be established, such as creating clear criteria for bond releases ensuring the process is transparent; and implementing a digital tracking system, so all stakeholders are aware of the bond’s status and communication channels are open and streamlined.

I recently toured an affordable housing project through the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership and have had many conversations with them and other advocates about the need for flexible permitting and zoning ordinances. Expediting the permitting process while maintaining public safety and trust in the process is critical and will be a focus of mine on the City-County Council.

Housing affordability is also impacted by property taxes, and many residents have been hard hit by significant increases in property tax assessments over the past couple of years. While vital municipal services are paid for by property taxes, how assessments are conducted must be evaluated to ensure public trust in the process, and that residents aren’t forced out of their homes due to rising taxes. 

What is your top concern regarding public safety in Indianapolis? What steps will you take as a council member to address it? 

I will work across party lines to prioritize public safety through community policing efforts that build trust and collaboration between law enforcement, the mayor’s office, citizen action coalitions and neighborhood leaders. I will hold leaders accountable and ensure law enforcement and first responders have the support and resources they need to effectively respond to emergencies and curb violence and illegal activity in our city.  Our citizens must feel safe in their neighborhood, community and workplace, and too many residents are being victimized by crime.

I will also work with community organizations and government stakeholders to ensure federal, state, and grant funding for mental health services are leveraged and best utilized by the city.  We must do more to support residents who are suffering from mental health challenges by increasing accessibility to treatment options as a way to break the cycle of recidivism and addiction.

I will also support rehabilitation and re-entry initiatives to ensure that those who have previously been involved with the criminal justice system have second chance opportunities to forge new career paths and become productive members of society again.

What specific steps will you take to address environmental concerns in your district that affect your constituents’ quality of life and life expectancy?  

Land use strategies and ensuring we have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink are fundamental environmental concerns for me. Geist Reservoir is in my district and a large source of potable and non-potable water for Indianapolis residents. I will ensure the city, state and utilities are taking appropriate actions to safeguard our water supply and improve our air quality, and I will work with developers and regulators to ensure these environmental concerns are never compromised. We must be good stewards of our environment, and I firmly believe that good environmental policy can be good economic development policy. Regardless of who is mayor, I am eager to work with the office of sustainability and private sector stakeholders to find innovative ways to make sure Indianapolis is a leader in addressing environmental concerns and improving quality of life for all. 

What specific steps will you take to connect minority-owned businesses in Indianapolis with contracts for city projects? How else will you support growth opportunities for minority-owned businesses? 

As a working mom in the venture capital world, I recognize the different challenges that woman-owned and minority-owned businesses face. I’m committed to ensuring there is equal opportunity for all and that our city has an inclusive business environment. To support more woman-owned and minority-owned business in Indianapolis with public contracts, financing, and growth opportunities, I will:

• Convene and work with federal and state partners, such as the US. Commerce Department and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, to share best practices with businesses, secure grants and leverage other available technical assistance.
• Diversify the city’s supplier outreach by hosting information sessions, workshops and networking events to connect businesses with new opportunities.
• Streamline the city’s certification processes by simplifying and expediting bureaucratic requirements.
• Explore launching or accelerating existing mentorship and training programs that pair established businesses with woman-owned or minority-owned startups to help navigate public contracting processes and financing.

What would you like to see happen for K-12 education in Indianapolis, and how would you work as a city-county councilor to achieve that? 

My vision for K-12 education is centered on providing high-quality, accessible and equitable educational opportunities for all children in our city by supporting our public schools, advocating for policies that empower parents to make choices that best suit and support their children’s needs, and the expansion of early childhood education opportunities. We have many great schools in Indianapolis with countless, dedicated teachers, faculty, staff and leadership. I am proud to have graduated from Lawrence North High School and Indiana University. Many educators and coaches throughout my secondary and postsecondary education shaped me into who I am today, and helped instill the importance of giving back to my community. I wouldn’t be where I am today without those mentors and experiences. 

Unfortunately, there are still too many children in our city and state who come to kindergarten and elementary school ill-prepared for instruction, and too many students who do not graduate from high school or are not prepared for the workforce. We all have a role to play in ensuring every child has access to opportunity, and that they are best prepared to succeed at work, in military service or in continuing their education upon graduation from their K-12 program.

As councilor, I will work to support initiatives that expand access to quality education for all students in Indianapolis. It is the foundation for which all other things are possible.

NICK ROBERTS

What are the top concerns that your district’s constituents have shared with you, and what are the issues that you foresee affecting them most in the next 2-3 years?  

Public safety and infrastructure are the two issues I hear about most, with mental health being another issue that gets brought up to me. But more than anything, people just want public servants who listen to them and are ready to work hard for them every single day.

Affordable housing is a major issue in Indianapolis. What measures should the council take to address this? 

Housing is absolutely one of the biggest issues in our city, and a lot of it comes down to supply and demand. People are moving to Indianapolis*, and we need to make sure that there is enough housing to keep up with the demand. We need to ensure that there is a sufficient amount of housing so that things can become more affordable, and hopefully that housing can be along transit to make it more affordable for everyone. In my district especially, I would support efforts to build the kind of multi-use developments in Castleton that are desirable for people and businesses. While doing this, we should also work on creative steps to prevent displacement.

*Editors’ note: Marion County has experienced a drop in population during the past two years. According to this IU study, the county lost about 2,000 people in 2022, while more people moved to Hamilton County. The 2023 annual report from Downtown Indy, Inc., reported a 46 percent increase in residents in the city’s downtown area since 2010.

What is your top concern regarding public safety in Indianapolis? What steps will you take as a council member to address it? 

Ensuring that our city is safe is the #1 way to keep our community thriving. We must work to support our public safety officers to help retain those positions and also build trust between law enforcement and the community, and those are both things I do in my day job with the Lawrence Township government.

It is extremely important to diligently work with neighborhoods, IMPD and Lawrence Police to keep our area safe. One particular focus of mine is working with Castleton Square Mall to provide an additional presence there to ensure that everyone is safe.

We also need to work on getting illegal guns off the street, which is a big cause of our gun violence in our city. Investments in mental health are especially important to tackling addiction, homelessness and to keep everyone safe.

What specific steps will you take to address environmental concerns in your district that affect your constituents’ quality of life and life expectancy?  

My district includes the Geist Reservoir and parts of the White River, both of which are very important to keep sustainable. These also do a lot to impact the property values of adjacent neighborhoods. We need to find common sense solutions to protect these bodies of water to ensure they are still great for generations to come.

What specific steps will you take to connect minority-owned businesses in Indianapolis with contracts for city projects? How else will you support growth opportunities for minority-owned businesses? 

I would support expanding the XBE Office to ensure that minority-owned businesses have opportunities to connect with our city and receive a chance to get city contracts. Working to even the playing field is an important step towards ensuring we are a city with equality for all.

What would you like to see happen for K-12 education in Indianapolis, and how would you work as a city-county councilor to achieve that? 

I am a 100 percent advocate for public schools and spend a lot of time in my day job working with Lawrence Township Schools. I also serve on a few committees for the Lawrence Township School Foundation. Even though it sounds cliche, education is the ticket to success for so many kids, and our city needs to continue to support initiatives and support for kids entering college. I give the city a lot of credit for Indy Achieves and all that it has done to guarantee that so many families have access to strong post-secondary opportunities.

CLARIFICATION: This survey has been updated with an additional editors' note.