UPDATE: Local officials to consider more animal shelter funding
The Department of Public Safety estimates $1.5 million is needed to address findings that the Indianapolis Animal Care and Control shelter is unsanitary, understaffed and underfunded.
Local Government
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Meijer tax ruling may reverberate statewide
The Indiana Board of Tax Review ruled in December that the East 96th Street Meijer store—one of the most successful in the state—should have been assessed in 2012 at the equivalent of $30 per square foot, not the $83 per square foot assigned by Marion County.
Blight-elimination bill targets tax-sale investors
Sen. Jim Merritt hopes that his bill would make tax sales a less attractive haven for investors, who he said lack incentives to maintain abandoned and vacant property.
Westfield’s next big bet: $25M downtown plaza
Westfield city leaders are making downtown a priority in 2015, aiming to start work on an urban park with a festival plaza and outdoor stage.
In unusual deal, Westfield sells fiber network for $5M
The city of Westfield and its school district recently exchanged their homegrown network for $5 million in in-kind services. As a result of the agreement, city and school officials will not have to worry about things like paying for Internet service for the next 10 years.
Former city chief of staff takes IEDC position
Chris Cotterill, a former chief of staff to Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, has joined the Indiana Economic Development Corp. as general counsel, the IEDC announced Monday.
Hogsett kick-starts mayoral election year with $1.4M
Democrat Joe Hogsett hopes his hefty first round of fundraising—including at least three donors of at least $100,000 each—will prove imposing to any Republican challengers in the wings for Indianapolis mayor.
Long tenures distinguish mayors of Carmel, Noblesville
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard has led Carmel since 1996, and John Ditslear has led Noblesville since 2004.
State’s preschool pilot program receives 1,800 applicants
The goal for the first phase of the program was to enroll 350 children. But because of the high demand, the state plans to enroll 100 additional children.
Mayoral mouthpiece to depart
Marc Lotter says he doesn’t know yet where he will land. He has been Mayor Greg Ballard’s communications director since November 2010.
City lines up justice center, music venue for GM site
Redevelopment of the former General Motors Stamping Plant site west of downtown began taking shape in 2014, culminating in December with the city’s selection of a Paris company to build a criminal justice center on the property.
2014 NEWSMAKER: Joe Hogsett
Former U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett went from ruling out a mayoral run to front-runner in the course of eight months.
Ballard won’t seek third term as mayor
The two-term mayor, who came to office as a dark horse, went against internal pressure and opted not to seek a third term, setting off speculation about which Republican would step forward to challenge former U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett.
State senator Merritt declines Indianapolis mayoral bid
No prominent Republicans have started campaigns to replace Mayor Greg Ballard, who announced month that he wouldn't seek election to a third term in 2015.
Section 8 proposal angers Indianapolis landlords
Advocates for low-income housing are clashing with Indianapolis landlords over a proposal that would make it illegal to reject tenants solely because they use government subsidies to pay their rent.
UPDATE: City picks Paris-based group to build justice center
WMB Heartland Justice Partners, which beat out two other finalists, will require the city to pay $46.8 million a year, $3.2 million less than the ceiling the city set.
Hamilton County seeks an out to avoid referendum for renovation
Hamilton County leaders are asking state legislators for relief from a 2008 law that requires all capital projects costing more than $12 million be put to a vote.
Hogsett looks to forge his own path on education
Former U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett, a front runner to become mayor of Indianapolis in 2016, might be less activist than the last two men to hold the job when it comes to education.
Commuter tax part of Indy Chamber’s legislative agenda
The Indy Chamber will support equity in local government funding, preschool expansion and mass transit during the 2015 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
City’s public works director leaving for engineering firm
Indianapolis Department of Public Works Director Lori Miser will join the local office of engineering firm HNTB Corp. as associate vice president of planning, the mayor's office said Friday.