City Government – Page 87 – Indianapolis Business Journal

Consultant: Indianapolis water utility lax in overseeing Veolia

October 15, 2009

The city too often relied on the Department of Waterworks’ board, on consultants and on the private
operator, Veolia Water, rather than on the department’s own staff “to ensure safe and efficient
operation, maintenance and management” of Indianapolis Water. That’s one of several critical
findings of a consultant hired by the department and filed as part of a 35-percent rate-hike request
pending before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

EDITORIAL: City water utility in over its head

October 15, 2009

As missteps by the city’s water utility threaten to drown local ratepayers with dramatically higher bills, Mayor
Greg Ballard’s administration is exploring a complete overhaul of the system. The mayor’s initiative can’t produce results soon enough.

City strengthens building-permit process

October 14, 2009

The pre-permit review could add nearly three weeks to the current permitting process

CIB improves financial situation with more cuts

October 13, 2009

The Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board’s dire financial situation might be improving enough that it may forego the
first installment of a $27 million state loan.

West Lafayette delays switch to metered trash pickup

October 9, 2009

West Lafayette’s city council has delayed implementation of a new “pay as you throw” garbage collection system.

Stimulus to brighten city’s traffic lights

October 9, 2009

The bright lights of Indiana’s largest city are getting brighter—at hundreds of street intersections, anyway.

Mayor seeks your suggestions

October 8, 2009

The newly created Indy
Ideas Web site and the Neighborhood Association Council are both intended to encourage participation in local government.

Green year for city hall, businesses

October 8, 2009

It’s been a year since Republican Mayor Greg Ballard launched the City’s Office of Sustainability. On Oct. 6,
Ballard and his sustainability director, Karen Haley, outlined accomplishments in the first year.

Controversial downtown project to get tax abatement

October 7, 2009

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission approved a 10-year tax abatement Wednesday afternoon for a controversial
public-private plan to redevelop a vacant downtown office building.

IT consultant up for tax abatement

October 6, 2009

A city board this week will consider tax abatements worth about $47,000 over six years for Indianapolis-based IT consultant
Apparatus Inc., which is moving its headquarters to the former WFYI building at 1401 N. Meridian St.

Council to hear plan for stricter smoking ban

October 5, 2009

A proposal that would prevent smokers from lighting up in all indoor public places in Marion County is expected to meet fierce
resistance from bar owners who oppose a stricter smoking ban.

Noblesville sacks economic development director

October 2, 2009

Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear has fired the city’s economic development director, Kevin Kelly, after Kelly had
been on the job for about two years.

City receives host of sale, privatization ideas for water, sewer utilities

October 1, 2009

Officials grappling with a water utility deep in debt and a sewer infrastructure needing upwards of $2 billion in
upgrades were swamped with proposals about how to fix the mess.

Toll road operator among water-utility suitors

September 29, 2009

Among 23 firms that have expressed interest in operating Indianapolis’ water and sewer systems is Macquarie, the Australian
firm that operates the Indiana Toll Road under a 75-year, $3.8 billion lease. In July, the city asked companies to express
interest in operating the systems.

Indianapolis Economic Development Inc. boasts job-creation success

September 17, 2009

In the worst recession since the Great Depression, it must be difficult to broker business expansions. But
IEDI’s making no excuses for the city’s job creation and retention figures. In fact, it’s touting them.

Westfield makes smoking illegal in most public places

September 15, 2009

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.

More layoffs, furloughs possible for cash-strapped CIB

September 14, 2009

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.

City’s cash-strapped parks turn to private sector for ideas, manpower

September 10, 2009

Mayor Greg Ballard’s administration has asked the businesses for ideas on

how Eagle Creek Park and Riverside Regional Park each could cut costs and generate more revenue.

ICVA unlikely to seek loan to pay for enhanced marketing

September 10, 2009

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.

EDITORIAL: City government in financial bind

September 3, 2009

The solution to the property tax fiasco that swept Republican Mayor Greg Ballard into office in 2007 is making his job harder, and
it could lead to his undoing.

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