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James Brainard

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James Brainard
Mayor of Carmel, Indiana
In office
January 1, 1996 – January 4, 2024
Preceded byTed Johnson
Succeeded bySue Finkam
Personal details
Born1954 (age 69–70)
Bristol, Indiana
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceCarmel, Indiana
Alma materButler University (BA)
Ohio Northern University (JD)
OccupationLecturer
Politician
WebsiteOfficial website
NicknameJim

James Brainard (born 1954) is a retired American politician of the Republican Party who served as the fifth mayor of Carmel, Indiana, a principal city in the Indianapolis metropolitan area, from 1996 to 2024. At the time he left office on January 4, 2024, he was one of Indiana's longest serving mayors. During his tenure as mayor, Carmel's population grew from 25,000 in 1996 to 102,000 in 2021 and saw the creation of a new downtown called City Center, where a new 1,600-seat concert hall, The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, opened in 2011. Two smaller theaters opened as well, in addition to the redevelopment of the oldest part of town into a new Arts & Design District.[1] Brainard announced in September 2022 that he would not run for re-election in 2023, and his term expired on January 4, 2024, after which point he was succeeded by fellow Republican Sue Finkam.[2]

Early life and education[edit]

James Brainard was raised in Bristol, Indiana, the son of Jack and Dortha Brainard. Brainard attended Butler University, studying history, political science, and speech. After graduating from Butler with a Bachelor of Arts in 1976, he entered the Claude W. Pettit College of Law at Ohio Northern University and earned a Juris Doctor in Law in 1982.

Political views[edit]

Transportation policy[edit]

Brainard is frequently asked to speak about city planning, redevelopment and roadway networks. Under his administration, the City of Carmel has eliminated dozens of traffic signals and dangerous intersections, replacing them with roundabouts. Carmel, with 142 roundabouts as of January 2022, has more roundabouts than any other city in the United States.[3] The policy has been credited with a reduction of carbon emissions, fatalities and intersection collisions.[4][5][6][7]

He arranged to construct the first roundabout in the city at the corner of River Road and Main Street in 1996 followed in 1997 by building two roundabouts on the newly built Hazel Dell Parkway at 126th and Main Streets.

Climate and energy[edit]

Brainard is described as a moderate Republican who has earned a reputation for defending efforts to fight against the effects of global warming.[8] Brainard is serving as a Trustee and co-chair of the Energy Independence and Climate Protection Task Force for the U.S. Conference of Mayors. In November 2013 he was appointed to the Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience by the President of the United States. He traveled in 2015 to four cities in India to represent the United States as part of the US State Department's speaker's bureau. Also, in 2015 he was asked to speak on energy and climate policy at the German-American Centers in five German cities.[9] He has been a guest lecturer for Georgetown University, Butler University, Indiana University and Purdue University among others. Because of his views, Brainard was selected to be on President Obama's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience.[10] In 2013, it was announced he would be "one of 26 local government representatives who make up a new task force to help communities deal with the effects of climate change."[11]

Fiscal and health policy[edit]

Brainard is also a fiscal conservative who has invested millions of dollars in local redevelopment projects while keeping the city tax rate among the lowest among cities in the state of Indiana.[12] Because of Brainard's activity to create a health-conscious community, Carmel has received various awards for its healthy living.[13]

Concerns have been raised in recent years about Brainard's handling of Carmel city finances. In 2015 the city overestimated tax revenues by over $5 million and was forced to reallocate funds between accounts to meet then current obligations.[14] In 2017 S&P downgraded Carmel's long-term bond rating from AA-plus to AA, noting a $300 million increase in debt over the prior 3 years. In its analysis, S&P noted "In our view, this demonstrates the risk of high leverage and a heavy dependence on sometimes more volatile tax-increment revenues. We feel the city's crowded budget and high fixed costs leave it vulnerable to unanticipated economic or operational swings."[15]

In response to a question about the Green New Deal, Brainard has said, "I think we have [to] find that middle ground where we can do things that encourage green jobs—do things that help the economy and reduce carbon at the same time."[16]

Civil rights and diversity[edit]

In 2015, he proposed and the City Council passed a new ordinance designed to protect human rights regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The issue was first raised in Carmel during the election campaign and came to its closure during a time of heightened awareness.[17] Brainard is a supporter of diversity in Carmel. He hosts an annual Iftar dinner for the local Muslim community and established a new Carmel Interfaith Alliance in the fall of 2015 designed to bring together pastors and religious leaders from a variety of faiths.[18] Brainard has said, "Carmel's diversity brings a richness to the fabric of our community, and our freedom of religion should be celebrated."[19]

Awards[edit]

  • 2023 Sagamore of the Wabash[20]
  • 2013 International Making Cities Livable Joseph P. Riley Jr. Award "for his inspirational leadership in creating a vibrant, multi-functional heart for Carmel, IN."[21]
  • 2012 American Council of Engineering Companies of Indiana (ACEC Indiana) Public Service Award [22]
  • 2011 Local Arts Leadership award for the "Support the Arts fund, which mandates that one percent of the city's general fund support local arts organizations."[23]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Schneider, Keith (July 1, 2014). "Redevelopment of Carmel, Ind., Has a European Flair". The New York Times. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  2. ^ "Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard will not seek re-election". Fox 59. September 13, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  3. ^ "Carmel releases timeline for $229M of roadwork". indystar.com. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  4. ^ Buckley, Cara; Mast, A. J. (November 20, 2021). "These Americans Are Just Going Around in Circles. It Helps the Climate". The New York Times.
  5. ^ "Carmel Indiana Roundabouts: Case Studies: ERIT: Environmental Resilience Institute Part of the Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge: Indiana University". Indiana University. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  6. ^ Gross, Frank; Lyon, Craig; Persaud, Bhagwant; Srinivasan, Raghavan (January 2013). "Safety effectiveness of converting signalized intersections to roundabouts". Accident Analysis & Prevention. 50: 234–241. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2012.04.012. PMID 23200454.
  7. ^ "Safety effects of roundabout conversions in Carmel, Indiana, the Roundabout City". Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  8. ^ Commons, the urbanophile / Creative. "Q&A: In Indiana, fighting climate change by rethinking the suburb". Midwest Energy News. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  9. ^ "Brainard discusses climate change in India, Germany". indystar.com. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  10. ^ Yerman, Marcia G. (July 7, 2014). "Republican Mayor Jim Brainard Believes in the Science of Climate Change". huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  11. ^ "Carmel Mayor James Brainard to help White House on climate change issues". indystar.com. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  12. ^ "Property Tax Rates by County: STATS Indiana". www.stats.indiana.edu. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  13. ^ "City of Carmel, IN : City Wide Awards". www.carmel.in.gov. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  14. ^ "Is Carmel about to go broke?". Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  15. ^ "Carmel's 'rapidly increasing debt' leads to drop in credit rating". Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  16. ^ Vyse, Graham (April 5, 2019). "The GOP Mayor Pushing Climate Change Policies in Congress". Governing, the Future of States and Localities. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  17. ^ Fischer, Jordan (October 6, 2015). "Carmel City Council passes anti-discrimination ordinance in 4-3 vote". theindychannel.com. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  18. ^ "Carmel Interfaith Alliance organizes cleanup of Monon Trail". currentincarmel.com. September 15, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  19. ^ "Mayor hosts members of Muslim community". currentincarmel.com. July 23, 2013. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  20. ^ "Carmel mayor receives state's top honor, unveils Songbook museum agreement at final State of the City event". Current Publishing. December 4, 2023.
  21. ^ "Mayor James Brainard, Carmel, IN awarded 2013 IMCL Joseph P. Riley Jr. Award - International Making Cities Livable". www.livablecities.org. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  22. ^ "Mayor James Brainard received 2012 Public Service Award". acecindiana.org. Archived from the original on September 14, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  23. ^ "Mayor James Brainard (R - Carmel, IN)". americansforthearts.org. December 31, 1969. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
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