Hamilton County blazes trail with court e-filing system
This summer, Hamilton was the first Indiana county to begin electronic filing of court cases. All counties are preparing for the transition, which will cost the state $5 million annually.
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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.
Marion County using new technology to track offenders
The new tech rapidly analyzes GPS data produced each month by offenders wearing ankle bracelets. It can tip off authorities to potentially criminal behavior and save time with case management.
Hogsett forms transition group ‘One City Indy’
The nonpartisan group of business, government and philanthropic leaders will manage the mayoral administration’s transition efforts and help advise on policy.
Northern suburbs investing in new websites
City, town and county officials are investing tens of thousands of dollars to revamp their dated municipal websites and make information easier for residents to obtain.
Auditor sues city, BlueIndy over car-sharing contract
Marion County Auditor Julie Voorhies has sued the city of Indianapolis over its contract with BlueIndy, saying the city illegally paid $6 million to the electric car-sharing service. Mayor’s spokeswoman calls lawsuit a “stunt.”
Leaders, candidates grapple with city savings balance
Many are looking to mayoral candidates Chuck Brewer and Joe Hogsett to craft a long-term savings strategy as Indianapolis’ reserves continue on a downward trend.
Hamilton County moving ahead with judicial center expansion
The addition could cost as much as $22 million. Officials opted against constructing a new building east of State Road 37, thus keeping users and employees in downtown Noblesville.
Lawsuit: County worker fired for objecting to same-sex marriage
A former employee of a southern Indiana county clerk says she was fired over her religious objection to processing a same-sex couple’s marriage application.
UPDATE: Many Indiana counties not meeting public records law
The survey commissioned by the Indiana Coalition for Open Government sought records from 90 public agencies in 30 counties, but only 15 provided electronic copies of the documents.
UPDATE: Council to sue over city’s $32M electric car contract
Vision Fleet, the electric car vendor in the middle of a dispute between the City-County Council and the city of Indianapolis, is seeking a legal review of its contract in which a five-judge panel determines the validity of the pact.
Noblesville seeks to expand planning jurisdiction
The city of Noblesville is proposing expanding its zoning jurisdiction in preparation for future growth and possible annexation of new property.
Hamilton County training center plan spawns squabble
Commissioners are pushing to build a public-safety training campus that might eventually cost more than $40 million.
Meijer tax ruling may reverberate statewide
The Indiana Board of Tax Review ruled in December that the East 96th Street Meijer store—one of the most successful in the state—should have been assessed in 2012 at the equivalent of $30 per square foot, not the $83 per square foot assigned by Marion County.
Blight-elimination bill targets tax-sale investors
Sen. Jim Merritt hopes that his bill would make tax sales a less attractive haven for investors, who he said lack incentives to maintain abandoned and vacant property.
UPDATE: City picks Paris-based group to build justice center
WMB Heartland Justice Partners, which beat out two other finalists, will require the city to pay $46.8 million a year, $3.2 million less than the ceiling the city set.
Hamilton County seeks an out to avoid referendum for renovation
Hamilton County leaders are asking state legislators for relief from a 2008 law that requires all capital projects costing more than $12 million be put to a vote.
UPDATE: Outgoing Ballard not taking ‘foot off the pedal’
In an emotional address Thursday, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard explained his reasons for not seeking a third term and promised not to take his last year lightly.
City-County Council to vote on $70M bond issue for roads
The plan scales back Mayor Greg Ballard’s original proposal for borrowing $150 million to help handle street repair.
$500M Indy justice center relies on novel funding
The city will pay an annual fee to a private-sector consortium that will design, build, finance, maintain and operate the facility. According to the Ballard administration, the project won’t require a tax hike.