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.
Local Government
Articles
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Cumberland seeks through state legislation to split from Unigov
Leaders for the town, a suburban enclave of just under 3 square miles that straddles the line between Marion and Hancock counties, want to separate from Indianapolis government.
Bill would give Indy residents choice to pay higher taxes for better roads
The measure includes a provision to allow Marion County residents to vote, through a referendum, for property-tax hikes that would be used to pay for road improvements.
Voters approve merger of Sheridan, Adams Township in rural Hamilton County
Sheridan residents approved the merger 73% to 27%, while people in Adams Township voted 62% to 38% to merge the town and township. The reorganization will go into effect Jan. 1.
Food truck operators feel regulatory pinch
All 92 counties in Indiana have their own fee structures and procedures for licensing, and some municipalities charge permitting fees, as well.
Gubernatorial candidates advocate cuts in property taxes, spending in second debate
Voters will have one final televised opportunity to hear from the candidates on Oct. 24 during the Indiana Debate Commission’s debate.
Proposed Indy ordinance aims to rein in unwanted dog population
Under the proposal, Indianapolis residents with one or more dogs that can be bred would be required to sign up for the registry and abide by a set of animal care guidelines.
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.
IBJ Podcast: John Stehr, news anchor turned mayor, on tackling one of Zionsville’s hottest issues
Stehr has jumped into the job with a big-picture vision for addressing how to develop the land just south of Zionsville’s gingerbread-like downtown.
Indiana House Democratic leader to run for mayor of Fort Wayne
If Rep. Phil GiaQuinta were to succeed in Fort Wayne, a new leader of the House Democratic caucus would be chosen for the first time since 2018.
Whitestown approves Katie Barr as new town manager
Barr, who most recently served as Whitestown’s deputy town manager of human resources, will take over the position previously held by former Town Manager Jason Lawson.
House committee delays vote on Blue Line bill after hours of testimony
Lawmakers on the Indiana House Roads and Transportation Committee heard nearly three hours of testimony Tuesday on Senate Bill 52, mostly from opponents who said the legislation would jeopardize the future of the planned Blue Line bus line and cause Indianapolis to lose out on $150 million in federal infrastructure improvements.
Bill affecting dog breeders, pet stores clears Indiana Senate
Legislation establishing care standards for dog breeders and pet stores that would simultaneously void more than 20 local ordinances that ban retail dog sales moves back to the Indiana House after passing through the Senate on a 31-18 vote on Monday.