Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announces re-election bid
The Democrat, who was elected to his first term in 2015, told IBJ that he has decided to seek another term in an effort to “continue moving the city in the direction we’ve already begun.”
Local Government
Articles
State weighs whether Fishers followed law in proposing tax hike for trail
More than a dozen residents have expressed formal opposition to Fishers’ 2019 budget because of a tax increase related to the proposed Nickel Plate Trail, sparking a public hearing in front of the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance.
Hamilton County asks state police to probe late-fee claims in lawsuit
The Hamilton County Commissioners have asked state police to investigate claims that the treasurer’s office dodged fees for family members who made late property tax payments after a former employee filed a lawsuit alleging the practice.
Council Dems seek to raise $1M from increased parking meter collections
The proposal would decrease the hours in which free parking meters are available across the city, extend fee hours on certain days, and impose Sunday parking meter fees.
Council approves Marion County’s switch to vote centers starting next year
Marion County voters will be able to cast their vote at any polling place in the county starting next year as Indianapolis becomes what is known as a “vote center” county.
IBJ Podcast: Why the Indy CIB will ask the Legislature for millions of dollars
The Capital Improvement Board will seek at least $8 million from lawmakers to help fund what officials say will be a 25-year plan for improvements in the Indiana Convention Center, Bankers Life Fieldhouse and other facilities the CIB owns.
City poised to offer $1.6M to acquire troubled Oaktree Apartments
The abandoned, 336-unit complex “presents considerable safety and security challenges” for its surrounding neighborhood, according to the city.
Moody’s removes ‘negative’ outlook on city’s credit rating
Moody’s also assigned an initial Aa2 rating to $30 million in revenue bonds issued this year by the Indianapolis Bond Bank to pay for long-term transportation funding.
CIB to ask state for millions to help fund long-term needs
City convention officials are gearing up for a big financial ask of the Indiana General Assembly next year as they set out on a $120 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center at Pan Am Plaza.
IndyGo, planning on electric buses for Red Line, skeptical of Albuquerque’s reported woes
The city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, says it has discovered serious structural and safety problems with the same model of electric bus IndyGo plans to use for the Red Line.
Democrat tables proposal for big City-County Council pay hike
The proposal’s sponsor, Democratic Majority leader Monroe Gray, said he intends to bring back the pay-raise plan for a vote early next year.
Proposal to ban sitting, lying down in Mile Square gets little support
A proposal to ban people from sitting and lying down in the Mile Square failed to gain approval in a City-County Council committee meeting Tuesday. The vote took place on same day the mayor announced a plan to dedicate $500,000 to take on homelessness and downtown safety.
City-County Council OKs $30M incentive deal with Dow Agro successor
The City-County Council on Monday approved a plan to provide Corteva Agriscience with $30 million in incentives to maintain operations in Indianapolis, but not without reluctance from some council members.
Democrats to seek major hike in City-County Council pay
Democrats on the Indianapolis City-County Council are planning to introduce a proposal next week that would nearly triple council salaries—the first pay hike for members since 2002.
AMAZON UPDATES: Indy officials pushed three sites for HQ2, showed off Mass Ave during visit
When visiting Indianapolis in March to gather intelligence on the city’s HQ2 bid, Amazon officials had two meals at hot restaurants on downtown’s northeast side and toured three potential sites for the $5 billion project.
City considers eminent domain in quest to acquire abandoned apartment complex
The Indianapolis City-County Council’s Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee unanimously approved a proposal to buy the Oak Tree Apartments near 42nd Street and Post Road from Indy Diamond LLC.
Pittman siblings battle over proposed Carmel office project
Developer Steve Pittman’s proposal to build an office building at 106th and Illinois streets is moving forward through the approval process, despite contentious pleas from two of his siblings that the project be reworked.
Deal to give Dow Agro successor $30M in incentives rankles some councilors
A panel of City-County Council members on Monday advanced a plan to provide Corteva Agriscience with incentives to maintain operations in Indianapolis, but not before several councilors expressed objections.
Lobbyist selected in GOP caucus as new City-County Council member
Danielle Coulter is a senior government affairs associate at Indiana governmental affairs firm Dant Advocacy Inc. She is also a precinct committee member in Franklin Township.
City panel OKs TIF-like districts to help Warfleigh, other flood-prone areas
The City-County Council’s public works committee voted unanimously Thursday night to move a proposal forward that would establish a so-called “flood control improvement district” in the Warfleigh neighborhood, plus parts of Broad Ripple and near Butler University.