NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) – The New Albany City Council voted this week to approve the city’s new budget, despite repeated calls from council members and residents for details on how much taxpayer money has been spent on legal fees by Mayor Jeff Gahan’s office.
The decision came after a tense discussion in which some council members pushed to delay the budget until the mayor provided a detailed accounting of legal costs related to an ongoing lawsuit. The vote passed 5-4, allowing the budget to move forward without the requested information.
“I was hoping tonight we could hold him accountable,” said Sixth District Councilman Scott Blair. “But we lost that chance on a 5-to-4 vote. Five members decided we’re just going to move forward without that transparency.”
For more than a year, residents, council members, and local media—including WDRB—have sought answers from Gahan regarding the city’s spending on legal defenses. The inquiry centers on a lawsuit over New Albany public infrastructure and greenspaces. The mayor has not provided the specific figures.
Gahan did not attend the council meeting in person Monday evening. Instead, a letter from his office was read into the record, stating, “I appreciate your continued interest in the city's efforts to defend our New Albany public infrastructure and public greenspace from being seized by a private corporation and outside entities.” The letter, however, did not include the amount spent on legal fees or indicate if the council would ever receive that information.
District Five Councilwoman Louise Gohmann expressed frustration over the lack of transparency.
“Where will this end? How much more money will be squandered? Will this council finally compel the mayor to give us some answers?” Gohmann asked during the meeting.
Blair also criticized the letter for failing to explain why the spending was necessary.
“It didn’t talk about specifics or why the dam is needed,” he said. “At the very least, I would have liked for him to explain why the money is being spent or why it’s necessary.”
The budget now moves forward, leaving lingering questions about the city’s legal expenditures and how far council members will push for accountability in the future.
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