Council has final say on transit tax, even if voters pass referendum
The Nov. 8 referendum—if it’s approved—doesn’t institute a transit tax. It only gives the City-County Council permission to vote on one, if it chooses to.
City-County Council
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Council passes Hogsett’s $1.09B spending plan
The budget, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s first in office, sailed relatively smoothly through the public process except for a debate from Republicans about road funding.
Downtown TIF expansion in works
Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration is targeting the former General Motors stamping plant site on the west side, where development plans have stalled, and the upstart Market East District on the opposite end of downtown.
Council GOP seeks to spend tax reserves, criticizes Hogsett borrowing plan
Both Indianapolis Republicans and Democrats want to spend $20 million on infrastructure, but the question is about how to fund it.
City councilors seek restrictions on booze-cruising pedal pubs
Under rules to be proposed next week, operators of foot-powered trolleys on Indianapolis streets would need to be licensed and insured. City councilors also hope to address noise complaints.
Council committee approves BlueIndy franchise agreement
The deal, which still needs to be approved by the full council, would give the city $45,000 per year in franchise fees.
City considers issuing $75M in debt to pay for projects, purchases
The Hogsett administration’s proposal is to take big-ticket items out of the city’s operating budget to help resolve a persistent budget deficit. Republicans worry about taking on the debt.
Developers ironing out details on $20M housing project in Mapleton-Fall Creek
Mapleton-Fall Creek Development Corp. and Merchants Affordable Housing Corp. are closing in on a complex financing plan for the proposed low-income housing development.
Transit referendum spawns efforts to educate, influence
Advocates and opponents of a Nov. 8 referendum that would let the City-County Council increase taxes to pay for a mass transit plan are gearing up to vie for your vote.
Hogsett’s first budget proposes small cut in spending
The city aims to spend $12.7 million less than it did last year in an effort to begin reducing the structural deficit.
City to consider forcing sale of parcels for new east-side library
Negotiations with property owners to buy a few parcels of land in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood appears to have stalled. City-County Council members this week will discuss exercising eminent domain.
No criminal charges against city councilman after sexual misconduct investigation
The decision follows a seven-week investigation into an alleged incident involving Democrat Zach Adamson that the accuser said occurred last fall.
City considers using one-time burst of tax revenue to reduce deficit
Most of the special disbursement has to be spent on transportation funding, but the city can decide what to do with 25 percent of its $53 million distribution.
Council to form task force to study easing taxi regulations
Local cab drivers have complained that current rules put them at a disadvantage when trying to compete with ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft.
Plan for downtown concert venue on old GM plant site called off
REI Investments, the Carmel-based developer who had been under contract to redevelop about half of the site into a $30 million concert venue, has mutually agreed with owner RACER Trust to terminate the plan.
City-County Council approves ‘percent for art’ program
A similar measure was vetoed by former Mayor Greg Ballard last year, but this one is likely to stick.
Council OKs putting mass-transit tax hike on November ballot
The question will be whether Marion County voters are willing to approve a 0.25 percent income-tax hike to pay for expanded mass transit.
Council committee advances mass transit funding plan
A proposal that would let Marion County residents vote for an income-tax increase to help fund expanded mass transit passed a City County Council committee Tuesday night.
City to dub downtown transit center after Carson
Former U.S. Rep. Julia Carson was instrumental in securing funding for an Indianapolis public transportation hub.
City-County Council approves Hogsett’s ethics proposal
The rules are intended to strengthen gift-reporting requirements, impose stronger penalties for violations and create a website so the public has better access to ethics disclosures.