Noblesville sacks economic development director
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 Government
Articles
City receives host of sale, privatization ideas for water, sewer utilities
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Arts funding maintained in city budget proposal
The Indianapolis arts community is breathing a collective sigh of relief after learning that the city is not expected to reduce
its funding in 2010. The City-County Council will hear public comments tonight on Mayor Greg Ballard’s 2010 budget before
voting on it Sept. 21.
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.
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.
Democrats eager to face Ballard
Several prominent local Democrats are lining up to challenge Republican Mayor Greg Ballard just two years into his first
term.
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.
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.
Indianapolis golf course contracts up for bid
Mayor Greg Ballard’s
administration is requesting proposals to manage all but one of Indianapolis’
13 municipal courses.
EDITORIAL: City’s fiscal creativity deserves support
In trying times, people and businesses often have to get creative to make ends meet. The same should hold true for local government. That’s why we commend city leaders for thinking outside the box in considering two initiatives to cut costs and generate public revenue.
City considering new parking meter plan
City officials are considering several proposals designed to wrestle more revenue out of
the city’s roughly 4,000 parking meters, including
the possibility of a long-term lease to a private firm, a move that netted Chicago more than $1 billion
last year.