03-06-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
More changes coming to the nonprofit behind Carmel's iconic Christkindlmarkt
More changes are coming to the operation behind the Carmel Christkindlmarkt as city officials try to get on the same page in the ongoing saga.
The most impactful change will give some power to the City Council in appointing the board of directors for Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc., the nonprofit organization that manages the event.
Drama surrounding the market began last fall when, under Mayor Sue Finkam's leadership, the city dismissed two former board members, and the then-board chair resigned shortly after. On the same day the former board chair resigned, four new board members, who were appointed by Finkam, approved a new operating agreement between Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. and the city.
Since then, city officials drilled into the finances and operations of the market at a public Affiliate Review Committee meeting, and the founding CEO of the market resigned, stating she was pushed out by the organization's board of directors, who were appointed by Finkam. In May, Carmel City Council unanimously voted to investigate actions surrounding the market.
Changes to the nonprofit's governance structure were announced June 3 and were 'solidified through a collaborative process involving the Carmel Mayor's Office, the Carmel City Council and Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc.'s leadership,' according to a news release.
Previous coverage: Carmel City Council votes for Christkindlmarkt investigation, at odds with mayor
The changes will allow the City Council to nominate some board members, a power that councilors have not had. These changes will be effective on or after July 1, 2025:
At the beginning of 2026, the following actions will be taken:
Finkam and City Council President Adam Aasen both said they were supportive of the changes in the news release.
Planning for the 2025 Carmel Christkindlmarkt is ongoing, and all efforts remain on schedule, according to the news release. Opening day for the market is set for Nov. 22, 2025.
There has not been much progress made in public meetings since city councilors voted to investigate actions surrounding the market in early May.
The City Council will investigate "the actions taken by representatives, contractors and the Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. Board of Directors as it relates to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt," but it also has the power to look into any of Finkam's Chriskindlmarkt decisions. The investigation was introduced as a verbal motion from councilor Jeff Worrell and was approved by an 8-0 vote.
The only public step forward councilors have made in the investigation was nominating councilor Ryan Locke to take charge of the effort. Committee and City Council meetings since then have focused heavily on an ordinance passed June 2 that will regulate the number of rental homes allowed in the community.
At the same meeting, councilors voted for an investigation, they also introduced a proposal to have even more influence over Finkam's Christkindlmarkt board appointees than the changes announced June 3.
More coverage: Carmel Christkindlmarkt CEO 'excluded from key decisions,' resignation letter says
The ordinance introduced in May would require at least one member of the organization's governing body to be appointed by the City Council. The remaining members of Carmel Christkindlmarkt Inc. would have to be approved by the City Council under the proposed ordinance, as opposed to just being appointed by the mayor.
The proposal, sponsored by Aasen, Worrell and city councilors Teresa Ayers, Shannon Minnaar and Matt Snyder, remains in the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee, which does not have its next meeting scheduled.
