Indy City-County Council considers $27.2M spring spending package
Officials have slated $19.7 million for the Department of Public Works, mostly for capital projects, snow removal and road safety.
Local Government
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Some local governments are slowing spending as lawmakers debate property tax cuts
The bill would reduce property taxes—and therefore reduce local government revenue—by about $1.4 billion over three years, according to the bill’s fiscal plan.
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Opposition brings likely end to Indiana utility siting bill, but the issue isn’t going away
A key lawmaker called the bill a response to ongoing resistance of local governments to greenlight solar, wind and other renewables projects that are necessary to support the state’s growing energy demands.
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Senate lawmakers scale back Braun’s ambitious property tax proposal in heavily amended bill
The 93-page amendment to Senate Bill 1 introduced Tuesday scrapped an expanded homestead deduction and tax bill caps, which offered the bulk of the plan’s homeowner relief but threatened local government funding.
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Sheridan aims to manage growth with reorganization, but questions remain
The town of Sheridan and Adams Township are looking to merge—a move that would give Sheridan planning and zoning control over an area that is currently unincorporated and is the jurisdiction of county planners.
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Articles
Fire departments paying more for trucks that take longer to get
Cities and their fire departments are feeling the strain as post-pandemic wait times and costs for new fire trucks have shot up—due in part to industry consolidation.
Residents, activists respond to Hogsett director pick with concerns about Indy’s winter shelter program
Guests who stayed in the city’s temporary winter shelter have spoken against Andrew Merkley’s nomination to head the Office of Public Health and Safety, arguing the shelter was unfit for families.
New prize named for former Indy mayor challenges local leaders to innovate
The Sagamore Institute’s new Goldsmith Prize aims to recognize sustainable solutions that leverage technology and data, foster collaboration, empower public employees and innovate creatively.
State property tax plan might prompt local income tax hikes
Legislators determined to cut property tax bills for homeowners and businesses are set to leave local officials with difficult choices about whether to cut services or raise income taxes to make up for substantial funding gaps.
With after-midnight vote, Indiana Senate sends property tax bill to governor
The high-profile property tax legislation has been criticized both for not providing enough homeowner relief and for reducing revenue for local governments.
UPDATE: Indianapolis public defenders’ union rallies for arbitration in first contract
Arbitration, which would bring in a third party to settle labor disputes between a union and employer, isn’t an issue they’re willing to compromise on, workers said.
Latest tweaks to state road-funding bill impact grant program, township trustees
State senators on Tuesday heavily amended a bill that overhauls Indiana’s road-funding formula.
Report says townships fail to disperse emergency help taxpayers are funding
The January report by poverty- and homelessness-focused service providers, titled “Marion County Township Trustees: Opportunities Seized; Opportunities Missed,” is the result of a yearlong investigation.
Groundbreaking planned for $84M overhaul of former downtown jail properties
Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony comes as interior work gets underway on the overhaul of the former jail and Cole Motor Car Co. building, as well as the Arrestee Processing Center immediately north.
Indiana House considers another property tax overhaul solution
Wednesday’s amendment to Senate Bill 1 marked the bill’s third major iteration this session, signaling that legislative leaders have not yet settled on the approach to lower property taxes.
Small town spirit: How Indiana’s rural communities are working to reverse population losses
More than 70% of Indiana’s counties, many of which are rural and also lost population in the 2020 census, are expected to lose residents over the next 30 years.
Bill to exclude Cumberland from UniGov advanced by Senate panel
Lawmakers on the Indiana Senate Local Government Committee voted unanimously Thursday in favor of legislation that would exempt the east-side town of Cumberland from Indianapolis-Marion County consolidated government.
‘I’m no stranger to hard work’: New CEO takes helm of Indianapolis Housing Agency
The troubled housing agency’s new chief executive is credited with leading two public housing agencies out of scandal and federal receivership.
Gov. Mike Braun threatens to veto property tax bill, call special session if more cuts aren’t added
Senate Bill 1, which previously carried Gov. Mike Braun’s ambitious property tax relief plan, was pared down significantly in committee following outcry from local government leaders.
County jails on the hook as state stops paying prisoner costs
County jails haven’t received payments in months, and there are still four months left in the July-to-June fiscal year.
Partisan school boards, payday lending bills move forward
With the committee deadline over, lawmakers are now working with fewer bills in the 2025 session.
UPDATE: Braun says Senate-passed property tax bill ‘has a long way to go’
The Senate-approved tax bill would limit total growth in property tax revenue, which could reduce individual bills. But the Republican governor said the legislation lacks “meaningful tax cuts.”
Lawmakers scrap proposal to increase Indy road funding through property taxes
Indiana lawmakers advanced road-funding legislation Monday morning without a provision that would have allowed Indianapolis to pose a referendum to its residents to pay for road improvements.
Local leaders sound alarm on Braun’s property tax overhaul legislation
Republicans and Democrats testified the bill would decrease local governments’ revenues significantly and affect the quality of some public services.