Judge halts planned consolidation of Zionsville, Perry Township
A Boone County judge has ruled that Zionsville can’t absorb the operations of Perry Township even if voters OK a reorganization plan that’s already on next month’s ballot.
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Indianapolis again says proposals for justice complex not public
A representative of Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard told Marion County judges Monday that the request for proposals the city issued to three teams competing to design, finance and construct a criminal justice facility is not a document the public can see.
High demand for road salt pushes costs up for state, city
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works will pay 11.5 percent more for road salt this winter than it did a year ago. Salt prices on regional bids across the state are now an average of 57 percent higher than last year's prices, according to INDOT.
Coalition announces legislative agenda aimed at public fraud
A group of officials representing local, state and federal governments will push a series of legislative proposals meant to protect public funds and speed the recovery of tax dollars lost to fraud.
Access counselor doubts city’s need for secrecy on RFP
Indiana Public Access Counselor Luke Britt told the city of Indianapolis that he wasn't swayed by its reasons for withholding its request for proposals for a new $500 million criminal justice complex.
Council Dems say they’re pushing preschool debate into 2016
City-County Council President Maggie Lewis and Vice President John Barth said children could be served next year by the state’s much smaller pilot program, which will reach nearly 800 economically disadvantaged four-year-olds in Marion County.
Former GIPC leader gets 2 years of home detention
The former executive director of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee was sentenced to two years of home detention Friday after pleading guilty to four counts of forgery. The plea agreement was approved after Matthew Hendrix turned over a restitution check for $126,356.
Lean years loom for Capital Improvement Board
The Capital Improvement Board is headed for lean years, but it’s not for a lack of resources. The entity that oversees downtown convention and sports venues faces payment of two big debts.
30 counties to be reimbursed for snow storm costs
Currently, $1.13 million has been processed for reimbursement, and more federal money will be distributed as applications are processed.
GIPC taps Indy Chamber exec as new director
The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee on Wednesday announced the selection of Molly Deuberry as its new executive director.
Dems block funding for preschool plan as meeting erupts
The Indianapolis City-County Council’s finance committee voted to table funding for Mayor Greg Ballard’s $50 million preschool expansion plan and quickly adjourned a three-hour meeting Tuesday night despite protests.
Local mayors tout plan for Red Line transit route
The mayors of Indianapolis, Carmel, Westfield and Greenwood on Tuesday announced a potential plan and a timetable for The Red Line, a proposed rapid-transit all-electric bus route that would stretch 28 miles from Hamilton County to Johnson County.
Lilly execs make pitch for local preschool education
Eli Lilly and Co. executives on Friday repeated their plea to local businesses to support early childhood education, highlighting the work force development and crime-reduction benefits associated with the effort.
Melangton leaving Sports Corp. for IMS
Allison Melangton plans to step down as Indiana Sports Corp. president and will become senior vice president of events with Hulman & Co., parent of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ryan Vaughn, chief of staff to Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, will succeed Melangton.
Hamilton County communities battle tax appeals
Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville are trying to head off appeals that cause tax revenue to come in lower than expected, especially for projects within tax-increment-financing districts.
Democrats raise doubts about Ballard’s preschool plan
Funding concerns involving the homestead credit have prompted work on an alternative plan that Democrats expect to unveil soon.
Indianapolis council OKs public safety tax hike
In a 19-10 bipartisan vote, the Indianapolis City-County Council approved a hike in the public-safety income tax. The 43-percent increase will bring the total local income tax rate to 1.77 percent.
Fishers council candidate fills open seat ahead of schedule
Eric Moeller was sworn as a Fishers Town Council member on Tuesday following the resignation of incumbent Renee Cox. Moeller already was unopposed in the November general election.
Lowe’s seeks $500K tax break from city on customer center
The home-improvement retail giant plans to hire 1,000 workers for the center at Intech Park on the northwest side. The jobs would pay an average hourly wage of about $16.
City Dems tap replacement for departed councilor Brown
LaKeisha Jackson was chosen to replace Vernon Brown in District 18. Brown stepped down in August after 11 years on the council.