Northern suburbs investing in new websites
City, town and county officials are investing tens of thousands of dollars to revamp their dated municipal websites and make information easier for residents to obtain.
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Auditor sues city, BlueIndy over car-sharing contract
Marion County Auditor Julie Voorhies has sued the city of Indianapolis over its contract with BlueIndy, saying the city illegally paid $6 million to the electric car-sharing service. Mayor’s spokeswoman calls lawsuit a “stunt.”
Zionsville eyes $600K for nature center, temporary town hall
Mayor Jeff Papa says the town could address two potential needs with one building as officials weigh what to do with the current town hall.
Hogsett’s claim about spending cuts isn’t quite accurate
The Democrat has said repeatedly that he spent less year after year while serving as secretary of state and U.S. attorney. But while his spending was generally lower than the amounts appropriated to the office, they weren’t always less than the year before.
Pacers go into new season with revenue streams headed in right direction
Sales of season tickets, merchandise and sponsorships are all up. Attendance is expected to match—or even exceed—the 2013-2014 season. And the stadium deal the Pacers struck with the city’s Capital Improvement Board last year has freed the franchise to make investments it hopes will pay dividends long term.
Mayoral foes: City must draw residents to bolster tax revenue
Attracting higher-wage residents is key to future growth as city revenues have stagnated and local governments have become increasingly reliant on income taxes. Republican Chuck Brewer and Democrat Joe Hogsett are proposing ways to bolster Indy neighborhoods.
Hogsett solidifies fundraising advantage over Brewer
Democrat Joe Hogsett bolstered his cash advantage in the Indianapolis mayoral race against Republican Chuck Brewer, reporting donations of more than $1.56 million in his most recent campaign finance filing.
City billboard suit spooks Montage on Mass developers
A federal suit filed by a local billboard firm claiming a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision makes the city’s sign ordinance unconstitutional has pushed discussion of another project’s electronic-mesh art display to next year.
Holdups delay razing of blighted properties with federal funds
Fewer than 15 of nearly 170 homes targeted for demolition have actually been razed since Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann and Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard kicked off the program in September 2014 and accepted nearly $6.5 million in federal funds.
Early voting off to slow start in Indianapolis election
In a possible precursor to another low-turnout election, fewer than 3,000 people had already voted or requested absentee ballots by early this week for the Nov. 3 municipal contest.
Indianapolis officials approve $1.1B budget for 2016
The Indianapolis City-County Council signed off on Mayor Greg Ballard's final budget Monday. The 2016 budget is nearly 7 percent larger than last year's and focuses on public safety.
BlueIndy counts 500 members, 1,500 rides in first month
The controversial BlueIndy electric car-sharing service is touting that it has about 500 members in Indianapolis who have taken 1,500 rides in its first month. It’s still far from profitability.
Plant closure spurs call to step back from Indy’s Covanta deal
A recycling plant in Montgomery, Alabama, that Indianapolis officials once touted as a successful model of “one-bin” combined waste and recycling has at least temporarily shut down, citing a drop in the commodities market.
Leaders, candidates grapple with city savings balance
Many are looking to mayoral candidates Chuck Brewer and Joe Hogsett to craft a long-term savings strategy as Indianapolis’ reserves continue on a downward trend.
Where Brewer, Hogsett stand on city’s toughest issues
IBJ asked mayoral candidates Joe Hogsett, a Democrat who is leading in contributions and key endorsements, and Chuck Brewer, a Republican small-business owner who has the support of outgoing Mayor Greg Ballard, about their approaches to hot-button topics of particular interest to the business community.
Divide emerges in committee studying police body cameras
An urban vs. rural split emerged among law enforcement groups Tuesday as a state legislative committee explored potential guidelines governing the use of police body cameras by Indiana's police agencies.
Covanta moving forward on automated recycling plant
Covanta still faces opposition as it moves closer to starting construction on a $45 million facility in Indianapolis that will use automation to pluck salvageable recyclables from household trash.
Hogsett dwarfs Brewer in ad buys
Democrat Joe Hogsett is airing his eighth ad in the mayoral race and has spent $400,000-plus on TV just this month, while Republican Chuck Brewer is preparing his first TV ad.
Budget proposes $250,000 for Indianapolis police cameras
Officials formally unveiled the proposed 2016 budget for Indianapolis police during a Wednesday night City-County Council committee meeting.
Westfield considering six offers to construct hotel at Grand Park
The Westfield City Council has approved rezoning 5.26 acres of city-owned land immediately to the west of the 371,000-square-foot indoor soccer facility to allow for a new hotel or lodging facility. But no specific developer has been picked.