2026 General Election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Hamilton County Council, District 3

Voted on across Hamilton County, in district 3.

Find your exact ballot All Hamilton County races

Who votes on this seat: Only voters who live in District 3 vote in this race. 2026 General Election Candidate List

What this office does

The county council is the county's fiscal body: it sets the county property tax rate, appropriates the money the county spends and fixes the pay and number of county employees ^{[1, 2, 3]}. Most councils have seven members, four elected from districts and three elected countywide (at large), though some larger counties elect all members by district ^{[1, 4]}. The board of commissioners runs county government day to day, while the council controls the money ^{[5, 6]}. Marion County has no separate county council; the 25-member Indianapolis City-County Council serves as the legislative body for the consolidated city-county government ^{[7, 8]}.

The job in full — the duties the Indiana Code puts in it, the term, what it pays and who sets that, and what to ask a candidate.

Term: 4 years, starting January 1 after the election; district seats and at-large seats are filled at alternating general elections ^[9]
Elected: On the partisan general-election ballot; in most counties four members are elected by district voters and three at large by the whole county, while counties of 400,000–700,000 residents elect seven members by district and opt-in counties of 185,000–300,000 elect nine by district ^{[4, 1]}. Every county council race on the 2026 state candidate list is a district seat ^[10]
At-large races: All three at-large seats are filled at the same election, so voters may choose up to three candidates and the top three vote-getters win; straight-ticket votes do not count in these multi-seat races ^{[4, 11]}
Term limit: None stated; the statute that sets the four-year term does not limit how many terms a member may serve ^[9]
Qualifications: Must have lived in the county at least one year, and in the district (for a district seat) at least six months, before the election, and be registered to vote in the election district; a county employee who is elected must leave that county job on taking office ^{[12, 13]}
Pay: Set locally in the council's annual ordinance fixing the compensation of county officers and employees ^{[3, 14]}
On the 2026 ballot: 368 races; 147 contested ^[10]

What the law puts in this job (13)

Serves as the county fiscal body under the name of the county council ^[1].
Sets the county property tax rate and other countywide rates not fixed by state law ^[2].
Appropriates county money; except as otherwise provided by law, money may leave the county treasury only under an appropriation the council makes ^[2].
Adopts the annual budget at a yearly meeting where the county auditor presents budget estimates; budget ordinances must be read on two separate days, and funding an item above the estimates takes a three-fourths vote ^[14].
Adopts a separate salary ordinance setting the pay of county officers and employees and the number of deputies and employees in each office, after considering the commissioners' recommendations ^{[14, 3]}.
Sets pay schedules and job classifications paid from the county general, highway, park and other funds, except that each local health department board sets pay for its own staff ^[3].
Controls spending and revenue collection in the county, including special spending requests during the year ^[6].
Authorizes by ordinance the bonds that fund county road and bridge projects and can create a county housing authority by resolution ^[8].
Serves as the county legislative body as well as the fiscal body in Lake and St. Joseph counties ^[8].
Declares a commissioner's seat vacant when the commissioner moves out of the county or district, and in certain cases can remove a county commissioner from office ^{[15, 13]}.
Becomes the body that adopts county local income tax rates under the 2025 SEA 1 overhaul, replacing local income tax councils; the change is now scheduled for ordinances adopted starting July 1, 2028 ^{[16, 17]}.
Has its adopted budget, tax rate and levies reviewed by the state Department of Local Government Finance, whose county budget order certifies the approved budget, tax rate and levy for each fund ^[18].
Does not run county departments day to day; the commissioners provide administrative oversight and the council provides fiduciary oversight ^[5].

Hamilton County's numbers for this office

Legal Insights county office research (Oct. 13, 2026): Indiana Gateway budgets 2019-2026 and the indicator sources linked on each line.

This office's 2026 budget

$502,624

0.2% of the county's adopted 2026 budget · 15% less than 2019, before inflation

2019 $589,5342026 $502,624

The year-by-year figures

Adopted budget, all funds, 2019-2026 (not adjusted for inflation)

2019: $589,534
2020: $922,957
2021: $906,286
2022: $1,050,127
2023: $1,073,731
2024: $1,184,000
2025: $380,483
2026: $502,624

Budget lines counted: 0061 COUNTY COUNCIL

Adopted 2026 county budget (Form 1 line items, Form 4B) and earlier years' budgets

Also on the record for this office

SEA 1 estimated county-unit revenue change in 2028 vs prior law: $-11,534,000 (LSA)
MUST taskforce (LIT distribution talks): none found
wheel tax: none found
fiscal consultant named in records: other/in-house

Measured, for this county

A position compares this county with counties of similar size. It is not a grade: for most measures a higher or lower number is neither good nor bad on its own.

General Fund cash, in days of spending · 2025

233 days

End-of-2025 General Fund cash divided by a year's disbursements, times 365.

How much this is the officeholder's to decide: high (council and commissioners jointly): spending and appropriation decisions

Position 4 of 10 counties with 150,000 or more residents that have this figure (1 = highest value)

source · source

Share of the 2025 General Fund budget spent · 2025

95.3%

Actual General Fund spending divided by the certified budget.

How much this is the officeholder's to decide: high (council appropriates; commissioners and officers spend)

Position 10 of 11 counties with 150,000 or more residents that have this figure (1 = highest value)

source · source

County debt per resident · 2025

$369

Debt outstanding at the end of 2025 (annual financial report).

How much this is the officeholder's to decide: high (council authorizes borrowing; commissioners initiate many projects)

Position 4 of 11 counties with 150,000 or more residents that have this figure (1 = highest value)

source · source

Budget growth, 2023 to 2026 · 2023-2026

+45.5%

Adopted budget, all funds, not adjusted for inflation.

How much this is the officeholder's to decide: high (council adopts the budget)

Position 2 of 10 counties with 150,000 or more residents that have this figure (1 = highest value)

source · source

SEA 1 estimate for 2028 · 2028 (LSA estimate)

-10.3%

Legislative Services Agency estimate of the county government's revenue change under the 2025 property tax law, compared with prior law.

How much this is the officeholder's to decide: low: set by state law (SEA 1-2025); local rate choices from 2028 change the outcome

Position 7 of 10 counties with 150,000 or more residents that have this figure (1 = highest value)

source

Property tax cap credits · 2026

7.6%

Tax-cap (circuit breaker) credits as a share of the 2026 levy: revenue the county does not collect because of the caps.

How much this is the officeholder's to decide: low: set mainly by the constitutional caps and the combined rates of all units in the county

Position 8 of 11 counties with 150,000 or more residents that have this figure (1 = highest value)

source · source

Local income tax share of county revenue · 2026

40.9%

How much of the county's revenue comes from local income tax.

How much this is the officeholder's to decide: partial: the council adopts local income tax rates within limits set by state law

Position 3 of 10 counties with 150,000 or more residents that have this figure (1 = highest value)

source · source

Meeting minutes online · 2026-10

Posted as text

Whether the council's or commissioners' minutes are posted online (the better of the two), checked Oct. 2026.

How much this is the officeholder's to decide: high (commissioners and council decide what they post)

About this race

District 3 is one of four district seats on the seven-member Hamilton County Council. LarryInFishers describes it as covering Noblesville, Jackson and White River townships; the county's 2026 primary report lists its precincts in Jackson, Noblesville and Wayne townships ^{[30, 29]}.
Incumbent Mark Hall (Republican), first elected in 2022, faces Democrat Doug May, a former human-services administrator. Hall was unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary (6,397 votes) ^{[29, 24]}.
The only name in the May 2026 Democratic primary for District 3 was Kevin Miles Wright (3,899 votes). Doug May filed as the Democratic candidate on July 2, 2026; the sources reviewed do not explain the change ^{[31, 30, 32]}.
Hamilton County's 2026 budget was about $324 million. At the close of budget hearings in September 2025, county financial consultant Mike Reuter said the 2025 state property-tax law (SEA 1) would not significantly affect the 2026 budget but that "future years will see reductions in property tax revenue and limits on levy growth" ^[33].
Councilman Mark Hall wrote in October 2025 that 24 of 27 departments had asked for 2026 increases and that the council needed roughly $15 million in expense reductions to balance the 2026 budget against lower expected property-tax revenue, cutting capital spending, requested positions and contracted expenses ^[27]. Preparation of the 2027 budget was under way in August 2026, with employee health insurance projected at $30 million ^[28].
After record White River flooding in August 2026, the council approved $2.85 million in emergency flood-recovery funding, and the commissioners extended a local disaster declaration ^{[34, 35]}.
In November 2025 county officials broke ground on a $32 million Public Safety Training Center near 161st Street and River Road in Noblesville, funded with county-issued bonds ^{[36, 37]}.
Hall emphasizes budget discipline and keeping the county tax rate among the lowest in the state; May says SEA 1 has harmed public services and focuses on farmland preservation and flood reduction along the White River ^{[27, 24, 38]}. No candidate forum or debate for this race was found.

Candidates on the ballot

Mark F Hall

RepublicanIncumbent

Republican incumbent Mark Hall is founder and CEO of the workforce company TalentLogistiX and has been the District 3 councilor since 2023. He emphasizes budget discipline and limited government ^{[24, 23]}.

Hall's background

Founder and CEO of TalentLogistiX, a workforce company he started in 1993 ^[24].
Co-founder of The Feeding Team, a nonprofit that stocks outdoor food pantries ^[24].
Has lived in the Noblesville area for more than three decades ^{[24, 39]}.
County councilor since January 2023 ^{[23, 24]}.

Hall's positions

Budget & taxes

Says the council should begin each year with a balanced budget even though the state does not require it, and that he wants to keep one of the lowest county tax rates in the state while meeting service demands ^[27].
Says he asks of each expense whether it serves the taxpayer and whether the county can afford it ^[24].
Says the county has strong reserves due to sound fiscal oversight ^[27].

Property taxes & SEA 1

Wrote that the 2026 budget required about $15 million in reductions because of lower expected property-tax revenue ^[27].

County services & staffing

Reported supporting a 2027 change in pharmacy-benefits manager expected to save about $1 million on employee health insurance ^[28].

Transparency

Publishes a monthly column reporting his council activities and constituent cases ^{[27, 28]}.

How Hall would run the office

Says he is running to keep District 3 "represented by someone who still meets a payroll" and lists fiscal discipline, public safety and limited, accountable government as his focus ^[24].

Hall on the current officeholder

Is the current officeholder. No statements by Hall about his challenger were found ^[24].

How Hall got on the ballot

Unopposed in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary, with 6,397 votes ^[29].

What we could not find about Hall

His campaign website states general values but no specific policy proposals.
No record of his individual votes on the 2026 budget or SEA 1–related decisions was found beyond his own columns.
Indianapolis Business Journal coverage of the District 3 race could not be reviewed for this profile.
No endorsements are listed on his website; no campaign finance reports were found ^[39].

Hall's campaign website

Sources for Hall

Meet the Candidates (candidate-submitted bios; includes county legal notice of offices on the ballot) (The Hamilton County Reporter)

Doug May

Democratic

Democrat Doug May is a 35-year Noblesville resident who spent most of his career at CICOA, the Area Agency on Aging, working on budgets and program accountability. He says he would seek solutions to SEA 1's effects and protect farmland ^{[24, 38]}.

May's background

Worked for most of his career at CICOA, the Area Agency on Aging, whose eight-county service area includes Hamilton County; worked on budget creation (about $20 million when he left in 2016), service outcomes and tracking, and led the agency's first accreditation, according to his candidate bio ^[24].
His campaign says he spent 30-plus years managing public contracts, grants and fiduciary oversight in human services, including work with county councils and commissioners ^[38].
Has lived in Noblesville for 35 years ^[24].

May's positions

Property taxes & SEA 1

Says SEA 1 has harmed public services and that he will "seek solutions" to its effects ^[24].
Says the state property-tax plan is squeezing local budgets and putting police and fire funding at risk, and that the county should speak up for first responders "before the cuts hit, not after" ^[38].

Zoning & land use

Says District 3 has 75–80% of the land available for development in the county and that he wants to preserve farmland ^[24].

Roads & infrastructure

Proposes improving the White River and expanding wetlands to reduce flood risk and improve water quality ^{[24, 38]}.

Budget & taxes

Cites his experience overseeing public contracts and fiduciary review for "dozens of service providers" as the basis for budget oversight ^[38].

How May would run the office

Farmland preservation, wetland expansion along the White River for flood reduction, and advocating for police and fire funding under SEA 1 ^{[24, 38]}.

May on the current officeholder

His campaign site names Hall as his opponent but makes no direct statements about Hall's record. His bio says he is running to bring "independent eyes and vision" to District 3 and that the county needs an advocate who is not a politician ^{[38, 24]}.

How May got on the ballot

Filed at the Hamilton County Clerk's Office on July 2, 2026, one of four Democrats added to the county ballot; Kevin Miles Wright had been the only name in the May 5 Democratic primary ^{[30, 32, 31]}.

What we could not find about May

Several sections of his website (campaign issues, spending priorities) are images whose text could not be reviewed for this profile.
A Current article comparing the District 3 candidates, linked from his site, could not be reviewed for this profile.
In The Reporter's candidate-bio PDF the text attributed here to May is followed by his contact line; the page layout places other candidates' headings nearby.
No endorsements are listed on his site; no campaign finance reports were found ^[38].

May's campaign website

Sources for May

Meet the Candidates (candidate-submitted bios; includes county legal notice of offices on the ballot) (The Hamilton County Reporter)

Key points

Hamilton County's 2026 budget was about $324 million. (The Hamilton County Reporter)
Hamilton County government adopted a $323.2 million budget for 2026, about $835 per resident; that is +45.5% compared with 2023. (Indiana Gateway for Government Units)
Legislative Services Agency estimate: the 2025 property tax law (SEA 1) changes the county government's net property tax levy by -10.3% versus prior law once fully in effect (2028, since delayed to 2029 by HEA 1210). (Indiana Legislative Services Agency)

Sources

Researched Sunday, October 11, 2026

Indiana Code 36-2-3-2: County council as fiscal body; size (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
Indiana Code 36-2-5-2: Tax rates and appropriations (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
Indiana Code 36-2-5-3: Compensation of officers and employees (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
Indiana Code 36-2-3-4: Council districts and at-large members (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
Commissioners Responsibilities (Boone County, Indiana)
About the County Council (Hancock County, Indiana)
Indiana Code 36-2-3-1: Application of chapter (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
County Government Overview: Indiana (National Association of Counties (NACo))
Indiana Code 36-2-3-3: Election and term of fiscal body (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
2026 General Election Candidate List (Indiana Election Division)
Monroe County voters put three incumbent Democrats back on county council (The B Square Bulletin (Dave Askins))
Indiana Code 3-8-1-22: Candidates for county council (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
2026 Indiana Candidate Guide (Indiana Election Division)
Indiana Code 36-2-5-11: Annual budget, tax rate and salary ordinances (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
Indiana Code 36-2-2-5: Qualifications and residency of members; district or countywide election (FindLaw (Indiana Code, current as of 2026-01-01))
Major Changes to Expenditure Rate of LIT in SEA 1 (2025) (Barnes & Thornburg LLP)
Legislation Affecting Local Income Taxes (memorandum on HEA 1210-2026) (Indiana Department of Local Government Finance)
County Specific Information (Indiana Department of Local Government Finance)
2022 General Election Results: Election Summary (Hamilton County Election Office)
Meet the Candidates (candidate-submitted bios; includes county legal notice of offices on the ballot) (The Hamilton County Reporter)
Hamilton County Councilman Mark Hall's September Timesheet (column by Mark Hall) (The Hamilton County Reporter)
Hamilton County Councilman Mark Hall's August Timesheet (column by Mark Hall) (The Hamilton County Reporter)
2026 Primary Election Final Official Results: (R) County Council Member District 3 (Hamilton County Election Office)
Hamilton County Democrats Add Four Candidates to November Ballot (LarryInFishers.com)
2026 Primary Election Final Official Results: (D) County Council Member District 3 (Hamilton County Election Office)
Four Democrats file to run for county-wide offices (The Hamilton County Reporter)
Hamilton County Council wraps 2026 budget hearings (The Hamilton County Reporter)
Hamilton County Council Approves $2.85 Million for Flood Recovery Efforts (LarryInFishers.com)
White River Travel Ban Lifted as Hamilton County Extends Flood Disaster Declaration (LarryInFishers.com)
Hamilton County breaks ground on new Public Safety Training Center (The Hamilton County Reporter)
Hamilton County breaks ground on new Public Safety Training Center (LarryInFishers.com)
Doug May for Hamilton County Council District 3 (campaign website) (May campaign)
Mark Hall for Hamilton County (campaign website) (Hall campaign)

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Candidate lists: As of Sunday, October 18, 2026.
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