Indianapolis City-County Council

The Indianapolis City-County Council is the city legislature of Indianapolis, Indiana and Marion County, known as Unigov. It was formally established in 1970 upon the merger of the city government with the county government. Both the Council and Mayor's office are located within the Indianapolis City-County Building. The council passes ordinances for the city and county, and also makes appointments to certain boards and commissions.

Composition of the Council

The Council consists of 29 seats, corresponding to 25 districts apportioned by population throughout Marion County and 4 At-large seats. Although all cities in Marion County, apart from Indianapolis, retained their status after the merger, their residents are represented on the Council and vote alongside other county residents.cite web | url = http://www.savi.org/savii/comm_info/Community_Profiles/CNTY/18097/history.aspx | title = Marion County, Indiana | publisher = Savi Interactive | date = 2008-01-04 | accessdate = 2008-03-15] Every seat is up for reelection every 4 years. The head of council is the Council President who is elected by the majority party at the Council's first meeting in January. In the previous Council Democrats held a 15-14 majority as well as the Mayor’s office. However, after the 2007 elections there was a major shake up. Republicans regained a majority in the Council, 16-13, and Greg Ballard defeated 2-time incumbent mayor Bart Peterson.cite web | url = http://imcwwa2k3.indygov.org/elecnight/2007gen/ | title = 2007 General Election, Certified Results | publisher = Indy Gov | date = 2007-11-16 | accessdate = 2008-03-15] Republicans have generally been stronger in the southern and western parts (Decatur, Franklin, Perry, and Wayne, townships) of the county while Democrats have been stronger in the central and northern parts (Center, Pike, and Washington townships). Republican and Democrat strength is split in Warren and Lawrence townships.

Committees

* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/Committees/admin-finance.htm Administration and Finance] :Committee Chair: (R) Marilyn Pfisterer

* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/Committees/coc.htm Committee on Committees] :Committee Chair: (R) Bob Cockrum

* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/Committees/community.htm Community Affairs] :Committee Chair: (R) Kent Smith

* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/Committees/economic.htm Economic Development] :Committee Chair: (R) Jeffery Cardwell

* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/Committees/metro.htm Metropolitan Development] :Committee Chair: (R) Lincoln Plowman

* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/Committees/municipal.htm Municipal Corporations] :Committee Chair: (R) Michael McQuillen

* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/Committees/parks-recreation.htm Parks and Recreation] :Committee Chair: (R) Susie Day

* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/Committees/safety-justice.htm Public Safety and Criminal Justice] :Committee Chair: (R) Ryan Vaughn

* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/Committees/public.htm Public Works] :Committee Chair: (R) Benjamin Hunter

* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/Committees/rules.htm Rules and Public Policy] :Committee Chair: (R) Robert Lutz

ee also

*Unigov
*History of Indianapolis
*List of mayors of Indianapolis, Indiana

External links

* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/home.htm Indianapolis City-County Council]
* [http://www.indpls.com/indianapolis-history-and-statistics/ Indianapolis History and Statistics]
* [http://www.indygov.org/eGov/Council/Councillors/historical-list.htm Historical List of Councillors]

References