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.
City-County Council
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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.
City-County Council OKs $16M more in road-repair spending
The amount adds to the already $8.3 million in street-repair spending that was approved by the council May 12.
Council votes to support $30M Broad Ripple project
Developer Browning Investments Inc. plans to use $5.7 million from the bond issue to help finance the apartment/retail project along the Central Canal.
Council to consider citywide landlord registry
Indianapolis landlords would have to register with the city by Jan. 1 or face a $500 fine under a proposal that will be introduced to the City-County Council on Monday night.
Council OKs smoke-detector ordinance, road repair funds
The Indianapolis City-County Council voted 24-5 Monday night to update the city code on smoke detectors. It also voted 24-5 to spend $8.3 million from the Rebuild Indy fund on emergency road repairs.
City Dems propose $16 million more for road repairs
Indianapolis City-County Council Democrats want to spend $16 million more on emergency road work. The Democrats oppose Republican Mayor Greg Ballard’s plan for a $150 million bond issue and instead want to tap general and special funds.
Democratic councilors wrangle road repairs for districts
Indianapolis might forego repairing some heavily traveled, winter-damaged roads to instead focus on shoddy streets spread among all City-County Council districts.
City predicts rising property values around justice center
The argument that the complex could help revitalize the neighborhoods near the former GM stamping plant southwest of downtown could be crucial for securing the support of residents.
Council sues city over public safety lease deal
The City-County Council wants to force officials to produce documents relating to the controversial lease of the public safety operations center on the east side. It was vacated in September due to safety and health code violations.