James Brainard

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 135 roundabouts as of January 2021,has more roundabouts than any other city in the United States.[3] The policy has resulted in a reduction of both carbon emissions, fatalities and intersection accidents. 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.

Brainard is a moderate Republican who has earned a national reputation for defending efforts to fight against the effects of global warming.[4] 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.[5] Additionally, he has been a guest lecturer for Georgetown University, Butler University, Indiana University and Purdue University among others. He often speaks to city councils and planning commissions across the United States about city design and development. Because of his views, Brainard "was tapped to be on President Obama's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience. He [also] won first place honors from the 2008 Mayor's Climate Protection Awards Program."[6] 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."[7]

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.[8] Because of Brainard's activity to create a health-conscious community, Carmel has received various awards for its healthy living.[9]

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.[10] 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."[11]

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."[12]

In 2015, he proposed and the City Council passed a new ordinance to 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.[13] 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.[14] Brainard has said, "When I study the history of our cities, I see that the most important advances take place when people of diverse backgrounds meet. Carmel's diversity brings a richness to the fabric of our community, and our freedom of religion should be celebrated."[15]