How Carmel plans to stay No. 1

Axios

23-04-2025

Carmel city leaders say the community's next chapter will be written with an understanding that being "No. 1" isn't good enough.
Why it matters: One of Central Indiana's fastest-growing suburbs, Carmel is looking to maintain its reputation as a model city as it faces scrutiny around governance, equity and long-term planning.
What they're saying:"I was very familiar with our residents' high expectations, and I embrace it," Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam told Axios. "I'd rather have engagement over apathy any day."
Driving the news: The latest example of the city's self-reflection was last week's Affiliate Review Committee meeting when results of a fiscal and legal review were shared.
The review found that mismanagement and an overreliance on city backing led to Carmel investing more than $8 million into the award-winning winter attraction Christkindlmarkt since 2017 with no return.
Flashback: The Carmel City Council created the committee last fall to examine the city's relationship with Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. and other affiliates brought on during the last administration.
State of play: Officials said steps taken since the shakeup have resulted in the city being reimbursed $284,000 this year for the first time in the Christkindlmarkt's history.
Yes, but: The meeting brought criticism from community members that the process was one-sided and that key Christkindlmarkt leaders, like former board chair Sue McDermott, were never consulted as the probe took place.
The latest: Councilor Jeff Worrell, a sponsor of the proposal to establish the review committee, said findings being presented does not mean the search for understanding and improvement is over.
"There is a segment of our population that sees these findings … (and says) 'Something happened. Why was that? What were the circumstances?'" Worrell said. "I'm a big believer in there being two sides to every story."
The other side: As the city grapples with these difficult discussions, it has added another award to the mantle.
The 2025 Niche rankings named Carmel the best place to live in Indiana, and the second best suburb in the U.S.
In the statewide rankings, it also took No. 1 for best place to raise a family, best place for young professionals and the best public schools.
Between the lines: Finkam sees the affiliate review committee as part of a larger effort to keep Carmel high in the rankings and meet the expectations of residents who moved there in search of the best.
What's next: Carmel's recently formed Advisory Commission on Housing will implement the 13 recommendations made last year by the Finkam-formed Carmel Housing Task Force to fix problems related to access and options.
Plus: Worrell, who launched a civility campaign at the start of the 2024, said that push for more politeness in Carmel is growing, too.