
Grant in limbo adds doubt to key transit vote
Federal inaction on a $75 million grant IndyGo is counting on to help fund a planned rapid-transit bus line is complicating a City-County Council decision about a transit tax increase.
Federal inaction on a $75 million grant IndyGo is counting on to help fund a planned rapid-transit bus line is complicating a City-County Council decision about a transit tax increase.
City officials say the billboard company GEFT had a unique case that wouldn’t apply to the several other billboard companies that have been hoping to get past the city’s ban on digital billboards.
The proposal begins its journey through the governmental process this week, and Indianapolis City-County Council is set to vote on the matter Feb. 27.
Although the proposal to raise annual pay for city-county councilors from $11,400 to $25,000 didn’t have enough support on Monday, members of the body are expected to revisit the issue next year.
City-county councilors are skittish about a measure to more than double their annual pay to $25,000 for a number of reasons, including working outside the normal budget process.
Council members voted 24-1 to include in the TIF district the former General Motors stamping plant property and the Market East District.
City-County Council Vice President Zach Adamson, along with fellow Democrat Monroe Gray, will propose on Monday raising council members’ pay from $11,400 per year to $25,000 per year.
The proposal, which supporters say will spur development in needed areas, still needs the support of the full City-County Council to move forward.
Candidates already have come forward to take over Districts 24 and 25 now that Aaron Freeman and Jack Sandlin have won seats in the state senate.
Pedal pubs will be licensed by the city and will have to carry liability insurance, among other requirements.
The move is a win for Mayor Joe Hogsett, who originally faced skepticism from council Republicans over the decision to borrow for big-ticket items by renewing bonds that are about to expire.
Ratings service Moody’s said Indianapolis’ ability to maintain a AAA rating on $78.6 million of general obligation debt reflects a “healthy financial position despite continued draws on reserves to support ongoing operations and capital maintenance.”
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.
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.
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.
Both Indianapolis Republicans and Democrats want to spend $20 million on infrastructure, but the question is about how to fund it.
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.
The deal, which still needs to be approved by the full council, would give the city $45,000 per year in franchise fees.
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.
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.