Council OKs $59 million bond issue for library
The Indianapolis City-County Council on Monday overwhelmingly voted to approve nearly $59 million in debt to pay for new and renovated library branches across the city.
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Council leaders, mayor find $15M for pre-K scholarships
City-County Council Democrats and Republicans have agreed on alternative sources to fund a preschool program proposed by Mayor Greg Ballard, which also would include $20 million from private sources.
Grassroots group challenges jail plan, wants focus on jobs
A grassroots, church-based organization is trying to stir up voter interest in the city’s plan for a new criminal justice complex and questioning the need to expand jail capacity.
Rogue Democrat Mahern resigns from Indy council
Democrat Brian Mahern has left the Indianapolis City-County Council. Coming with more than a year left in the term, the resignation allows the party to appoint someone to the seat.
Library plans $59M in new branches, upgrades
Indianapolis Public Library officials are seeking approval from the city to borrow funds to renovate, relocate and build entirely new branches across the city. Despite growing emphasis on digital media, library visits are increasing, they say.
Council OKs $70m road bond
The borrowing plan will target streets and sidewalks across the city. Also on Monday night, City-County Councilors approved a $1 billion city budget.
City-County Council to vote on $70M bond issue for roads
The plan scales back Mayor Greg Ballard’s original proposal for borrowing $150 million to help handle street repair.
Dems block funding for preschool plan as meeting erupts
The Indianapolis City-County Council’s finance committee voted to table funding for Mayor Greg Ballard’s $50 million preschool expansion plan and quickly adjourned a three-hour meeting Tuesday night despite protests.
Democrats raise doubts about Ballard’s preschool plan
Funding concerns involving the homestead credit have prompted work on an alternative plan that Democrats expect to unveil soon.
Indianapolis council OKs public safety tax hike
In a 19-10 bipartisan vote, the Indianapolis City-County Council approved a hike in the public-safety income tax. The 43-percent increase will bring the total local income tax rate to 1.77 percent.
City Dems tap replacement for departed councilor Brown
LaKeisha Jackson was chosen to replace Vernon Brown in District 18. Brown stepped down in August after 11 years on the council.
Infighting bogs down digital billboards
Marion County is an untapped market for digital billboards despite years of lobbying by sign companies, and it’s not because of political opposition to the large, lighted signs. What’s holding back changes to the city code is industry feuding over the form of regulations that could determine their future market share.
City-County Council approves landlord registry
The ordinance is the product of state legislation this year that effectively shut down rental-property inspection programs but left municipalities the option of creating registries.
Ballard proposes $50M preschool program as part of crime initiative
Mayor Greg Ballard on Wednesday proposed a 5-year program to pay for preschool for 4-year-olds from low-income families. He also floated hiring another 280 police officers. The cost to the average household would be $86 per year.
Democratic city-county councilors want police to live inside county
IMPD officers are not required to live in the city, and about 240, or 16 percent of the force, choose to reside elsewhere. Many of the city’s highest-crime neighborhoods have the fewest police officers as residents.
Leaders navigate politics of infrastructure repairs
Indianapolis doesn’t have a long-term street paving plan, and as political leaders look to spend at least $300 million more on infrastructure, the city appears more vulnerable than its peers to partisan bickering.
Democrats want more cops living in tough neighborhoods
A proposal unveiled today would allow officers to live rent-free in new or refurbished houses and then allow the officers to buy the homes.
Longtime councilor Brown to leave office
Democrat Vernon Brown, a key opponent of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s infrastructure-spending plan, said he plans to resign from the City-County Council this summer.
City recycling deal would boost incinerator’s profits
As IBJ was first to report on June 9, Mayor Greg Ballard is contemplating a new, 10-year contract with Covanta, which already is set to receive the city’s waste through 2018.
Christine Scales, a councilor with an independent streak, riles both parties
In her second term on the Indianapolis City-County Council, Scales is testing the limits of political independence and the patience of her colleagues.