UPDATE: Outgoing Ballard not taking ‘foot off the pedal’
In an emotional address Thursday, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard explained his reasons for not seeking a third term and promised not to take his last year lightly.
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Biotech firm Algaeon switches gears, stays in Indy
After planning a move to Westfield, Algaeon Inc. has instead leased new space in Indianapolis for a research and production facility. Planning 25 hires, it is seeking a tax break from the city on $4.9 million in new equipment.
Allen County voters reject single-executive plan
Allen County voters rejected a proposal to replace their traditional three-member board of county commissioners with a single exec. The vote leaves Marion County unique among the state’s 92 counties.
Council leaders, mayor find $15M for pre-K scholarships
City-County Council Democrats and Republicans have agreed on alternative sources to fund a preschool program proposed by Mayor Greg Ballard, which also would include $20 million from private sources.
Democrats sweep Marion County elections
All the major races, including sheriff, prosecutor, clerk, auditor and recorder, were won by Democrats.
Ballard unveils $32M plan to rent electric-vehicle fleet
Mayor Greg Ballard announced Tuesday morning a plan to replace gas-powered cars in the city’s fleet with 425 all-electric and hybrid vehicles by 2016. Indianapolis is the vendor’s first customer.
Mayor promotes city controller to chief of staff
City-County Controller Jason Dudich will succeed Ryan Vaughn, who is leaving the mayor’s office to become president of the Indiana Sports Corp.
Legislators in no rush to fix local judge selection process
Marion County’s unique power-sharing judicial-election system won’t be fixed anytime soon, even though a federal judge has ruled the four-decade-old system is unconstitutional.
Rogue Democrat Mahern resigns from Indy council
Democrat Brian Mahern has left the Indianapolis City-County Council. Coming with more than a year left in the term, the resignation allows the party to appoint someone to the seat.
Fishers’ conversion from town to city brings prickly pay issues to fore
Six candidates ran for mayor of Fishers in the May primary without knowing what the job would pay. More than 20 sought seats on its first City Council. Now the outgoing Town Council—with at least two members who won’t return to the dais next year—must decide how to compensate the victors come Jan. 1.
IndyGo deciding which routes should get focus and resources
IndyGo isn’t threatening to eliminate routes, but it is trying to craft a policy to guide it through landmark changes: next year’s opening of the $20 million Downtown Transit Center and, possibly, the passage of a referendum in favor of a regional rapid-transit system.
State pension fund sees wave of retirements prior to rate drop
The Indiana Public Retirement System lowered the interest rate on its annuity savings accounts on Oct. 1, possibly contributing to a 35-percent jump in retirements for state and local government workers this year.
Library plans $59M in new branches, upgrades
Indianapolis Public Library officials are seeking approval from the city to borrow funds to renovate, relocate and build entirely new branches across the city. Despite growing emphasis on digital media, library visits are increasing, they say.
Developer seeks tax break for downtown hotel project
Developers planning a new Home2 Suites by Hilton in downtown Indianapolis are asking the city for a property-tax break on the project that could save them more than $650,000.
Council OKs $70m road bond
The borrowing plan will target streets and sidewalks across the city. Also on Monday night, City-County Councilors approved a $1 billion city budget.
Ballard’s preschool plan gets new life in city budget
The $1 billion budget approved by the City-County Council Monday night included a last-minute amendment that could put $1.7 million toward the mayor’s plan to cut crime and expand access to preschool.
City-County Council to vote on $70M bond issue for roads
The plan scales back Mayor Greg Ballard’s original proposal for borrowing $150 million to help handle street repair.
Indiana cuts some public audits over shortages
The State Board of Accounts no longer is auditing the financial records of Indiana libraries, conservancy districts, some public school accounts, and small towns and townships, its leader says.
New bus service to deliver workers to warehouse districts
Two reverse-commute routes will serve the north Plainfield and Whitestown warehouse districts, taking workers from Indianapolis to major employers like Amazon, GNC, Ingram Micro and Tempur Sealy.
Tax revenue grows in downtown district
A new report from the Legislative Services Agency shows that a special taxing district downtown captured more than $16 million in state and local tax revenue.