Council passes Hogsett’s $1.09B spending plan
The budget, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s first in office, sailed relatively smoothly through the public process except for a debate from Republicans about road funding.
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Council GOP seeks to spend tax reserves, criticizes Hogsett borrowing plan
Both Indianapolis Republicans and Democrats want to spend $20 million on infrastructure, but the question is about how to fund it.
Council committee approves BlueIndy franchise agreement
The deal, which still needs to be approved by the full council, would give the city $45,000 per year in franchise fees.
City considers issuing $75M in debt to pay for projects, purchases
The Hogsett administration’s proposal is to take big-ticket items out of the city’s operating budget to help resolve a persistent budget deficit. Republicans worry about taking on the debt.
After 2 tax hikes, Indianapolis still has fewer police officers
The city of Indianapolis has raised income taxes twice in the last nine years to raise money to hire more police but it still has fewer officers.
Coroner’s office wants out of downtown building by January
The office will likely remain in the 25,000-square-foot, privately owned building at 521 W. McCarty St. the next two years while the city explores whether to move the office or have a building constructed.
Hogsett seeks to eliminate city pensions
Mayor Joe Hogsett wants to replace traditional pensions for future employees with a retirement option more like a private-sector 401(k) as a way to help erase the city’s multimillion-dollar deficit.
Hogsett’s first budget proposes small cut in spending
The city aims to spend $12.7 million less than it did last year in an effort to begin reducing the structural deficit.
City considers using one-time burst of tax revenue to reduce deficit
Most of the special disbursement has to be spent on transportation funding, but the city can decide what to do with 25 percent of its $53 million distribution.
Hogsett touts task force to plan new jail, criminal justice reforms
In his first State of the City address, Mayor Joe Hogsett said Wednesday that crime problems wouldn’t be solved simply with a new building. A new task force also would focus on issues like mental illness and addiction.
City is far short of $750M necessary for all sidewalk needs
Repairing the city’s aging sidewalks and installing new ones where none exist would run even more than the $720 million it cost to build Lucas Oil Stadium.
Council fails to overturn Ballard’s veto on pay raises
The motion to overturn the veto failed 14-10, despite pleas from council members who say the body has not had a pay raise in nearly 15 years.
Rare year with extra paycheck costs city $8.1 million
There are 27 pay periods in 2015 for employees paid bi-weekly instead of the usual 26. That means the city had to come up with extra cash to make payroll.
State audit expresses doubts about Terre Haute’s future
The audit of Terre Haute’s finances raise doubts about its ability to continue to operate as a municipality. It notes that the city is one of those hardest hit by reductions in property values and property tax caps.
Hogsett taps former Lt. Gov. Davis as ‘city systems engineer’
Local pastor David Hampton and not-for-profit director Jeff Bennett have been picked as deputy mayors by Mayor-elect Joe Hogsett. Former Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis was chosen to help to solve the city’s budget challenges.
Council mulls $30,000 raise for next mayor, pay hike for members
The proposed $125,000 salary for incoming Mayor Joe Hogsett would still be less than the pay for mayors in Gary and Fort Wayne but more than the governor. The pay hike would be the first for the office since 2002.
Hogsett starts ‘aggressive’ cost review of city programs
Indianapolis mayor-elect Joe Hogsett has enlisted public accounting and consulting firm Crowe Horwath LLP to help complete a “strategic review” of city-county government.
Pacers go into new season with revenue streams headed in right direction
Sales of season tickets, merchandise and sponsorships are all up. Attendance is expected to match—or even exceed—the 2013-2014 season. And the stadium deal the Pacers struck with the city’s Capital Improvement Board last year has freed the franchise to make investments it hopes will pay dividends long term.
Mayoral foes: City must draw residents to bolster tax revenue
Attracting higher-wage residents is key to future growth as city revenues have stagnated and local governments have become increasingly reliant on income taxes. Republican Chuck Brewer and Democrat Joe Hogsett are proposing ways to bolster Indy neighborhoods.
Indianapolis officials approve $1.1B budget for 2016
The Indianapolis City-County Council signed off on Mayor Greg Ballard's final budget Monday. The 2016 budget is nearly 7 percent larger than last year's and focuses on public safety.