2012 NEWSMAKER: Council Dem Mahern plays role of antagonist
City-County Council Vice President Brian Mahern emerged as the chief foe of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s redevelopment agenda.
City Government
Articles
Ballard may wrest management of fieldhouse from Pacers
Indianapolis recently agreed to pay $10 million to help Pacers Sports & Entertainment run Bankers Life Fieldhouse for another year, but Mayor Greg Ballard wants to find out in the meantime whether the city can get a better deal on the venue’s management.
Parks foundation gets $10M from Lilly Endowment
The Indianapolis Parks Foundation has received a record-setting $10 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to upgrade 13 parks in Marion County, the foundation announced Monday.
CIB to consider 1-year extension with Pacers, source says
The Capital Improvement Board of Marion County is expected to seek a one-year extension of its current lease deal with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, according to a former board member and current Indianapolis city-county councilor.
Face-lift nearly complete at Eagle Creek golf courses
Eagle Creek Golf Club received a long-awaited face-lift this year under a contract that will rescue the city from most of its expenses stemming from the previous operator’s loan default.
Mayor reaches preliminary pact with police, firefighter unions
After saying in August he would revoke raises for police officers and firefighters, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has agreed in principal to a new contract that would delay a 3 percent salary hike by six months.
New NBA revenue split gives Pacers cash infusion
The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement will dramatically boost the amount of money the Indiana Pacers get from the league, but it won’t be enough to put the team in the black.
Design stars land contract for transit hub
Architect Daniel Libeskind is part of an international team chosen to design a proposed IndyGo transit hub.
Lawmaker cries foul over Fishers vote endorsement
A state lawmaker is taking issue with a group that backs a new "hybrid city" government in an Indianapolis suburb and says she never endorsed the plan.
City bans bulk land-bank sales after lopsided deal with not-for-profit
Indianapolis last year sold 154 properties from its land bank for $1,000 each to a novice not-for-profit, which immediately flipped them for a total $500,000 profit. More than a dozen have changed hands multiple times since then, making investors more than $1 million. (with interactive map)
CIB to fight council’s attempt to take $15 million
The Capital Improvement Board’s directors voted Thursday afternoon on three actions that will circumvent the $15 million payment-in-lieu-of-taxes, or PILOT, which the Indianapolis City-County Council included in the CIB’s budget.
Ballard to nix parts of council budget
Mayor Greg Ballard plans to sign a $1 billion budget plan approved by the Indianapolis City-County Council earlier this month, but only after using his line-item veto powers to kill major portions of it.
City paying $2.3 million to 2 hurt in officer’s crash
The city of Indianapolis will pay $2.3 million to two people seriously injured when their motorcycle was struck by a police cruiser driven by an officer allegedly driving drunk.
City or town? Confusing ballot to determine fate of Fishers
A group of Fishers residents is crying foul over questions on the November ballot that will determine whether Fishers remains a town, becomes a “reorganized” city with a council and city manager, or a traditional city with an elected mayor.
City-County Council passes controversial budget
The Indianapolis City-County Council approved a budget Monday night that relies on a $15 million payment from a tax-exempt entity, likely setting the stage for a legal battle, plus difficult negotiations with Mayor Greg Ballard.
Democrat-controlled committee OKs tapping CIB for $15M
The plan—opposed by Republican Mayor Greg Ballard and members of the CIB—now advances to the City-County Council.
City asks developers to make local hires in downtown TIF
Indianapolis city-county councilors hope expanding the downtown TIF district will mean more jobs for their constituents. Developers, city contractors and other firms benefiting from the expanded economic-development zone must try to ensure that 40 percent of their work force comes from within the expanded TIF area.
Fishers debates whether to remain a town or become a city
Voters will be faced with three options for how the town will be governed in the future.
Six Sigma guru scours city budget for savings
Efficiency expert Manny Mendez, who has saved the city $4.9 million since 2008 through Six Sigma practices, is now scouring government operations in search of $15 million more.
Indianapolis set for sweeping zoning overhaul
Code dating to 1969 to be updated to encourage density, sustainability and mass transit.