Indianapolis has unlocked millions in new road funding, but at what cost? For car owners, about $100 annually.

The big picture: The City-County Council passed a significant increase of the wheel tax Monday night by a 14-10 vote, ensuring Indianapolis can secure new road funding from the state starting next year.

• The city's roads are in desperate need of repair — and a significant funding increase to make meaningful progress — but the tax hike proved divisive at public meetings where many community members said they're already struggling with rising costs.

What they're saying: Councilor Andy Nielsen, who has led the process to raise the tax, called the state's investment "generational" and said the city can't afford to miss out on it.

• "Choosing to do nothing or kick the can down the road won't solve our city's infrastructure challenges," Nielsen said.

The other side: Mayor Joe Hogsett has voiced his opposition to the tax increase. He now has 10 days to veto the council's decision.

• The council could override a veto, but Democrats would need at least two of the four members of their caucus who joined Republicans in voting against the measure to switch sides.

Zoom in: The excise surtax — paid by passenger cars, motorcycles and light trucks — would be raised to a flat $100 annual fee paid at registration. The current fee structure averages out to about $20 for most vehicles.

• Larger vehicles like RVs and heavy-duty trucks that pay the county wheel tax would pay a flat annual fee of $240 at registration — up from the current $10-$40 range.
• The anticipated $70 million in revenue from increased fees would go toward roads and allow the city to unlock an additional $50 million annually from the state.

What's next: Short of a veto, vehicle owners will see the increase when paying next year's registration fees.

• The city will begin receiving the additional $50 million from the state next year, continuing each year as long as the city meets the match requirements.

Late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay's memorabilia didn't just sell at Christie's. In true Irsay fashion, it rewrote the auction record books.

Why it matters: With a pledge to support nonprofits important to him in place after his death, the nine-figure haul is poised to impact countless lives.

Driving the news: Across five sales, the Jim Irsay Collection brought in more than $105 million, making it the highest-grossing memorabilia auction ever staged, according to Christie's.

Zoom in: The top-selling item overall left the block during the first live auction. David Gilmour's black Fender Stratocaster took in $14.55 million, the most ever paid for a guitar.

• Rounding out the top three, also from the first auction, were Jack Kerouac's original "On the Road" typescript scroll, which sold to country star Zach Bryan for $12 million, and Jerry Garcia's "Tiger" guitar, which sold for $11.56 million.

The latest: The final live auction, "Icons of History," was held on July 1 and featured items befitting America's 250th birthday.

• It included a letter sent from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson that sold for $2.8 million, and the first official facsimile of the original signed manuscript of the Declaration of Independence that sold for $2 million.
• The quirkiest is a voting machine used in Marion County, Florida, during the 2000 presidential election, when the nation learned about hanging chads.

Yes, but: Not everything in the collection commanded millions. A handful of Soviet Cold War relics sold for just a few hundred dollars.

• A Soviet government-issued gas mask and a group of Soviet uniform epaulets bearing the KGB insignia each sold for $254, representing the lowest sale prices of the multi-month auction.
• The cheapest item sold last week was an FDR reelection campaign button that went for $381.

Keep reading

🚫 Indy isn't the only community considering data center restrictions. While the state has aggressively courted the development projects, many local communities are pushing back with limitations and moratoriums. (WFYI)

🌳 A new 215-acre nature preserve has opened in Zionsville, transforming a former golf course into public green space and trails. (FOX59)

👧 Once a month, the Beech Grove farmers' market goes to the kids. Kids Markets help the city's youngest entrepreneurs get their start, selling lemonade, plants, crafts and more. (Mirror Indy)

⛳️ Indiana's mini-golf booth for the Great American State Fair, part of the celebration of America's 250th birthday in Washington, D.C., was widely panned on social media. (IndyStar)

👎 The GOP-led proposal to impose more accountability over the city's Office of Public Health and Safety failed at last night's City-County Council meeting. (Background via Axios)

👋 Arika here! I eased back into work after a week off with a visit to a new(ish) coffee shop on the south side that kept my vacation vibes going with its beach-chic aesthetic.

Driving the brews: Milk and Honey Coffeehouse opened last year in the Wanamaker community, about 20 minutes southeast of downtown Indy.

• The large coffee shop is an Instagram girlie's dream come true. In addition to beach-themed lattes like The Swell (vanilla and caramel) and The North Shore (coconut caramel mocha), there's a gift shop full of cutesy trinkets and decor.
• You can even take the cute up a notch at the complimentary "whimsy bar," with sprinkles, ribbons and stickers for crafting an even cuter cup of coffee.

Brew of the week: The funnel cake latte, with a homemade syrup of condensed milk and vanilla that delivers county fair flavor in your coffee cup.

• It's one of nearly a dozen seasonal drinks — something Milk and Honey leans into hard.
• Summer flavors run the gamut from coconut cream and strawberry crumble to French toast and s'mores.

If you go: 8505 Southeastern Ave.

• Open 6am-3pm Monday-Friday and 7am-3pm Saturday.

Hundreds gathered at Monument Circle last night to watch the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team take on Belgium in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.

• The watch party was sponsored by Indy Eleven, the city's USL Championship league team.

Yes, but: Anticipation turned to collective devastation as the U.S. team dropped the match, 4-1, and was knocked out of the tournament.