Westfield makes smoking illegal in most public places
The Westfield City Council passed a smoking ban 7-0 last night that will prohibit smoking in most public places, including
outdoor arenas, stadiums and amphitheaters.
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More layoffs, furloughs possible for cash-strapped CIB
The financial condition of the city’s Capital Improvement Board, though improving, is still dire enough that employees
of the Indiana Convention Center could be subjected to more unpaid furloughs or layoffs.
ICVA unlikely to seek loan to pay for enhanced marketing
The idea of the not-for-profit Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association taking out a loan was not warmly received by
city officials. And financial institutions were less than thrilled with the idea given the ICVA’s diminishing revenue
and increasing costs.
Fitch strips Indianapolis of prized AAA bond rating
Fitch and other rating agencies are concerned that the phase-in of property tax caps will further strain the city’s finances.
ICVA: Stadium’s retractable roof worth the cost
Three music events with direct visitor spending estimated at $28 million that were hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium offer proof,
city officials said, that the expense of the retractable roof and other features of the $720 million facility are paying off.
Merrillville furloughs workers in budget move
The northwestern Indiana town of Merrillville is requiring its employees to take five unpaid furlough days this year, along
with five more in the first half of 2010.
Chrysler sticks it to Kokomo
Officials in Kokomo and Howard County are in a tough spot. The “new” Chrysler created after its bankruptcy
sale to Fiat contends it‘s no longer on the hook for $12.9 million it owes various local taxing bodies this year and
$12.3 million it will owe next year.
ICVA might take out loan to market city for conventions
The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association is so desperate for more marketing funding, the organization charged
with promoting the city as a convention and tourism destination is considering taking out a loan. While that
would be the last resort, ICVA CEO Don Welsh said it is one he will have to consider if the money can’t be raised through
local taxes.
EDITORIAL: Partisan games plague council
The City-County Council wisely averted disaster for the Capital Improvement Board Aug. 10 by voting to raise the city’s
hotel tax from 9 percent to 10 percent, but the razor-thin vote was another disappointing case of elected officials making
decisions based on partisanship rather than good judgment.
Q&A with Indianapolis Airport Authority CEO John Clark
Clark talks to IBJ about how the airport can increase revenue by diversifying its sources of income. The airport can’t rely
on higher passenger counts to boost its bottom line.
CIB regrouping, still aiming to close budget hole
The beleaguered Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board has whittled its anticipated 2010 deficit of $47 million to only $5 million. But how it slashed $7 million since the end of the Legislative special session and how it proposes to close the final gap are a mystery.
City files complaint against Bright House Networks over unpaid fees
A municipality has filed the first formal complaint against a cable television operator since state telecommunications reform
three years ago unplugged local government oversight of operators.
Carmel grapples with rec center finances
A new business plan is in the works for the high-end Monon Center in Carmel.
EnerDel poised to get jolt of stimulus juice
Within weeks, EnerDel expects to receive notification that it’s getting as much as $480 million in financing under a U.S.
Department of Energy program aimed at fostering advanced vehicle manufacturing.
EDITORIAL: Project near MSA may be worth the risk
The city has unveiled a dramatic plan for new housing and retail development to revitalize the old Market Square Arena site.
Despite some shortcomings, the project deserves a chance to give the stagnant area a boost.
State audit findings sting Westfield
Westfield’s mayor says the city’s rapid growth and small staff are to blame for accounting problems raised in a State Board
of Accounts audit.
MARCUS: Let’s reassess reassessment
The process of assessment could be simplified and performed uniformly and inexpensively.
Arts Council faces grants-divvying dilemma
The Arts Council of Indianapolis faces the unenviable task of divvying up less than $1 million in city grants for the arts, compared with $2.15 million that was awarded last year.
General Assembly heeds public mayhem, not public policy
Which group should make the spending decisions? Consumers or elected officials?
Velodrome plans in limbo
While the Marian College cycling team has been off this month hunting national championships in Colorado, a plan by school officials to manage the Major Taylor Velodrome has not yet won support from Indy Parks.