Indianapolis City-County Council
{{Short description|Legislative body of Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}{{Infobox legislature
| name = City–County Council of Indianapolis and Marion County
| preceded_by = Indianapolis Common Council
| house_type = Unicameral
| legislature = City of Indianapolis
| coa_pic = Flag of Indianapolis.svg
| term_limits = None
| foundation = {{start date|1970|01|01}}
| new_session = January 1, 2024
| leader1_type = President
| leader1 = Vop Osili
| party1 = (D)
| leader2_type = Vice President
| leader2 = Ali Brown
| party2 = (D)
| leader3_type = Majority Leader
| leader3 = Maggie A. Lewis
| party3 = (D)
| leader5_type = Minority Leader
| leader5 = Michael Paul-Hart
| party5 = (R)
| leader6_type = Minority Whip
| leader6 = Paul Annee
| party6 = (R)
| party7 = (R)
| members = 25
| structure1 = IndianapolisCCC2024.svg
| structure1_res = 250px
| political_groups1 = Majority
- {{nowrap|{{color box|#3333FF|border=darkgray}}Democratic (18)}}
Minority
- {{nowrap|{{color box|#FF0000|border=darkgray}}Republican (6)}}
Other
- {{color box|#cac8ff|border=darkgray}} Non-caucusing Democrat (1)
| last_election1 = November 7, 2023
(25 seats)
| next_election1 = November 2, 2027
(25 seats)
| term_length = 4 years
| meeting_place = Beurt R. SerVaas Public Assembly Room
City-County Building
200 E. Washington St.
| session_room = Indianapolis City-County Council Beurt R. Servaas Public Assembly Room.jpg
| website = {{url|www.indy.gov/agency/city-county-council}}
}}
The City-County Council of Indianapolis and Marion County is the legislative body of the combined government of the city of Indianapolis and the county of Marion in the state of Indiana. The council was established as part of the consolidation of city and county governments, enacted by Unigov on January 1, 1970.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Indianapolis City-County Council |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last1=Blomquist |first1=William A. |last2=White |first2=Elizabeth L. |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/city-county-council/ |access-date=September 15, 2022}}
The council is composed of 25 members elected to four-year renewable terms, each representing an electoral district. The council is responsible for reviewing and adopting budgets and appropriations. It can also enact, repeal, or amend ordinances, and make appointments to certain boards and commissions, among other duties. Council offices and the public assembly room are housed in the City-County Building.
History
{{See also|History of Indianapolis|Timeline of Indianapolis}}
=City Council (1832–1891)=
{{expand section|a general overview and citations|date=April 2022}}
Robert Bruce Bagby was elected as the city's first African American to serve on the Indianapolis City Council in 1877.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Robert Bruce Bagby |encyclopedia=Digital Encyclopedia of Indianapolis |orig-date=1994 |year=2021 |last1=Warren |first1=Stanley |last2=Blair |first2=Lyndsey D. |publisher=Indianapolis Public Library |url=https://indyencyclopedia.org/robert-bruce-bagby/ |access-date=April 3, 2022}}
=Common Council (1891–1970)=
{{expand section|a general overview and citations|date=April 2022}}
Nannette Dowd became the first woman elected to Indianapolis Common Council in the 1934 municipal election.{{cite news |author= |url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/16450044/nanette-dowd-indianapolis-city-council/ |title=City Council Will Have First Woman Member |newspaper=The Indianapolis News |date=November 17, 1934 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |page=17 |url-access=subscription}} Sumner Alexander Furniss was elected and served from 1917 to 1921.{{Cite book |title=Who's who in Colored America: A Biographical Dictionary of Notable Living Persons of African Descent in America |date=January 1942 |publisher=Thomas Yenser |edition=Sixth |location=Brooklyn, New York}}
=City-County Council (1970–present)=
Following the launch of Unigov on January 1, 1970, members of the former Indianapolis Common Council and the Marion County Council were combined to form the first City-County Council. The council was composed of 29 seats: 25 representing geographic districts and four at-large. The first City-County Council election occurred on November 2, 1971.{{Citation needed|reason=Needs to be confirmed.|date=April 2022}}
In the 2011 Indianapolis City-County Council election, Zach Adamson was elected as the first openly gay member of the council, representing District 17.{{cite news |last=Pak-Harvey |first=Amelia |date=February 2, 2020 |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2020/02/02/indianapolis-city-council-has-unprecedented-4-lgbtq-community-members/4589604002/ |title=Historic city council has most LGBTQ members ever. Here's why that matters. |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |publisher=Gannett Company |access-date=April 3, 2022}}
In April 2013, the Indiana General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 621 which outlined several changes to city-county government, including eliminating the council's four at-large seats following the 2015 Indianapolis City-County Council election. The controversial bill was signed into law by Governor Mike Pence.{{cite news |author= |date=May 12, 2013 |title=Pence signs measure overhauling Marion County government |url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/41317-pence-signs-measure-overhauling-marion-county-government |newspaper=Indianapolis Business Journal |publisher=IBJ Media |access-date=April 3, 2022}}
The 2019 Indianapolis City-County Council election proved historic. Democrats flipped six Republican seats to earn the party's first supermajority since the council's creation in 1970.{{cite news |last=Hays |first=Holly V. |date=November 11, 2019 |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/11/11/elections-2019-what-democrat-city-county-council-majority-could-mean/2506021001/ |title=Why some expect bipartisanship on City-County Council despite Democrats' historic supermajority |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |publisher=Gannett Company |access-date=April 3, 2022}} Ali Brown became the first openly queer-identifying woman to serve on the council, representing District 5. Along with the reelection of Adamson, Brown was joined by fellow newcomers Ethan Evans (District 4) and Keith Potts (District 2), respectively—the most LGBTQ members in the council's history.
Leading up to the 2023 municipal primary the Marion County Democratic Party announced the end of slating, a political process in which precinct committee persons endorsed candidates during a pre-primary convention. Candidates endorsed through the slating process were supported with party resources.{{cite web |last=Fenwick |first=Tyler V. |date=January 3, 2023 |url=https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/marion-county-democrats-do-away-with-slating|title=Marion County Democrats will stop slating and move to open primary |access-date=January 2, 2023 }} In 2019, of the 24 electoral districts with contested Democratic primaries, 15 candidates were unopposed on the ballot.{{cite web |last= |first= |date=January 3, 2023 |url=https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/2019-indianapolis-primary-election-results|title=2019 Indianapolis Primary Election Results (Unofficial)|access-date=January 2, 2023 }} That year, all the incumbent councilors in both the Democratic and Republican primaries won their primary races.
In the 2023 Indianapolis City-County Council election, the Republican Party gained one seat while the Democratic Party maintained its supermajority with 19 seats. During the Democratic primary, 11 candidates ran unopposed. Three incumbent Democratic councilors were defeated in the May primary.{{Cite web |last=Cheang |first=Ko Lyn |date=2023-03-05 |title=Indianapolis voters oust 3 Democratic incumbents from City-County Council |website=Indystar.com |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/05/03/indianapolis-voters-oust-democrats-monroe-gray-zach-adamson-david-ray-council/70177690007/}} Jesse Brown, an endorsed member of the Democratic Socialists of America was elected to council for District 13.{{cite web|date=2023-11-10|url=https://electoral.dsausa.org/wins-from-coast-to-coast/|title=Wins from coast to coast! |website=DSA National Electoral Commission |access-date=1 January 2024}} Nick Roberts, age 23, was elected to council for District 4, making him the youngest Elected Official for any of the 50 largest American cities. {{cite web |last1=Cheang |first1=Ko Lyn |title=Republicans gain one seat as Democrats retain supermajority on Indy City-County Council. |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/elections/2023/11/07/indianapolis-city-county-council-election-2023-results-analysis/71424103007/ |access-date=8 November 2023 |website=IndyStar}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-03 |title=Meet City-County Councilmember Nick Roberts, District 4 • Current Publishing |url=https://youarecurrent.com/2023/12/03/meet-city-county-councilmember-nick-roberts-district-4/ |access-date=2024-01-08 |language=en-US}}
Composition
The Indianapolis City-County Council consists of 25 seats corresponding to 25 electoral districts apportioned by population throughout Marion County. Because the council is the legislative body for both the city and the county, residents of Marion County's four "excluded cities" (Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport, and Speedway) are eligible to vote in council elections and are equally represented alongside Indianapolis residents.{{cite web |date=2008-01-04 |title=Marion County, Indiana |url=http://www.savi.org/savii/comm_info/Community_Profiles/CNTY/18097/history.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819202308/https://www.savi.org/savii/comm_info/Community_Profiles/CNTY/18097/history.aspx |archive-date=August 19, 2008 |access-date=2008-03-15 |publisher=Savi Interactive}} Every seat is up for reelection every four years. The head of the council is the council president who is elected by the majority party at the council's first meeting in January.
Following the 2019 elections, Democrats expanded their control of the council with a 20–5 majority.{{cite web|url=https://www.theindychannel.com/news/politics/analysis-indianapolis-democrats-win-big-in-city-county-council-flipping-6-seats |title=Analysis: Indianapolis Democrats win big in City-County Council, flipping 6 seats |publisher=The Indy Channel |date=November 6, 2019 |access-date=November 16, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/democrats-expand-majority-on-city-county-council |title=Democrats expand majority on City-County Council |publisher=Indianapolis Business Journal |date=November 5, 2019 |access-date=November 16, 2019}} This marked the first time in Indianapolis history that Democrats have held a supermajority on the council.{{cite web |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/seismic-shift-democrats-win-city-county-council-supermajority |title=Seismic shift: Democrats win City-County Council supermajority |publisher=WTHR |date=November 6, 2019 |access-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117005838/https://www.wthr.com/article/seismic-shift-democrats-win-city-county-council-supermajority |url-status=dead }} The clerk of the council is Yulonda Winfield.
=Current members=
| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+ class="nowrap" |Current composition of Indianapolis City–County Council ! District !! Councilor !! Assumed office !! Party | |||
| 1 | Leroy Robinson | January 1, 2016 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 2 | Brienne Delaney | January 1, 2024 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 3 | Dan Boots | January 1, 2020 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 4 | Nick Roberts | January 1, 2024 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 5 | Maggie A. Lewis | November 25, 2008{{efn|name=Lewis|Marion County Democratic Party precinct committee members elected Lewis to complete the term of Cherrish Pryor. Pryor vacated the seat after her election to the Indiana House of Representatives.{{cite news |author= |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/126833565 |url-access=subscription |title=Council gets a new member |date=November 30, 2008 |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=September 14, 2022 |page=B3 |via=Newspapers.com |quote=The City-County Council welcomed a new member last week to replace Cherrish Pryor, who won a seat in the state legislature in the recent election. (...) Lewis won 10-3 in a Democratic caucus vote of precinct captains Monday and was sworn in Tuesday.}}}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 6 | Carlos Perkins | January 1, 2024 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 7 | John Barth | January 1, 2020 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 8 | Ron Gibson | January 1, 2024 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 9 | Keith Graves | June 14, 2019{{efn|name=Graves|Marion County Democratic Party precinct committee members elected Graves to complete the term of Stephen Clay following his resignation.{{cite news |author= |title=Clay resigns from City-County Council following tumultuous tenure |url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/74030-clay-resigns-from-city-county-council-following-tumultuous-tenure |date=June 4, 2019 |newspaper=Indianapolis Business Journal |access-date=September 15, 2022}}}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 10 | Alison "Ali" Brown | January 1, 2020 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 11 | Crista Carlino | January 1, 2020 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 12 | Vop Osili | January 1, 2012 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 13 | Jesse Brown | January 1, 2024 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 14 | Andy Nielsen | January 1, 2024 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 15 | La Keisha Jackson | August 22, 2014{{efn|name=Jackson|Marion County Democratic Party precinct committee members elected Jackson to complete the term of Vernon Brown following his resignation.{{cite news |author= |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/106578865 |url-access=subscription |title=LaKeisha Jackson gets council seat |date=August 30, 2014 |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=September 14, 2022 |page=A2 |via=Newspapers.com |quote=A community activist with a long history of service on the Eastside has been selected to replace retired City-County Council member Vernon Brown. (...) She was chosen by Democratic district committee members.}}}} | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 16 | Jessica McCormick | January 1, 2020 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 17 | Jared Evans | January 1, 2016 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 18 | Kristin Jones | January 1, 2020 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 19 | Frank Mascari | January 1, 2012 | {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |
| 20 | Michael-Paul Hart | January 1, 2020 | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican |
| 21 | Joshua "Josh" Bain | August 14, 2020{{efn|name=Bain|Marion County Republican Party precinct committee members elected Bain to complete the term of Jason Holliday. Holliday vacated the seat to serve as the Decatur Township Trustee.{{cite news |last=Pak-Harvey |first=Amelia |title=One Republican candidate seeks vacant Indianapolis council seat |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/12/indianapolis-city-county-council-one-candidate-seeks-vacant-gop-seat/3348657001/ |date=August 12, 2020 |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=September 14, 2022}}}} | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican |
| 22 | Paul Annee | January 1, 2020 | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican |
| 23 | Derek Cahill | January 1, 2024 | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican |
| 24 | Michael "Mike" Dilk | January 1, 2020 | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican |
| 25 | Brian Mowery | December 5, 2016 | {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican |
Standing committees
| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+ class="nowrap" |Current composition of standing committees {{Cite web |title=Committees of the Council|url=https://www.indy.gov/activity/committees-of-the-council|access-date=2024-01-10|website=www.indy.gov |language=en}} !Committee !Chair !Members |
| Committee on Committees
|Maggie Lewis |
| Administration and Finance
|Frank Mascari |Paul Annee |
| Community Affairs
|Ali Brown |Paul Annee |
| Education
|Keith Graves |Josh Bain |
| Environmental Sustainability
|John Barth |Jesse Brown |
| Ethics
|Jessica McCormick |Paul Annee |
| Metropolitan and Economic Development
|Maggie Lewis |Paul Annee |
| Municipal Corporations
|La Keisha Jackson |Josh Bain |
| Parks and Recreation
|Jared Evans |Paul Annee |
| Public Safety and Criminal Justice
|Leroy Robinson |Paul Annee |
| Public Works
|Kristin Jones |Josh Bain |
| Rules and Public Policy
|Vop Osili |Paul Annee |
Salary
Members of the council earn an annual salary of $11,400, plus per diems of $112 per council meeting and $62 per committee meeting.{{cite web |url=https://www.municode.com/library/in/indianapolis_-_marion_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIORAD_CH192CO_ARTICOELOF_S192-102COCO |title=Municode Library |website=www.municode.com}} Ordinance stipulates that annual base pay is capped at 12 percent of the mayor's salary ($95,000). In June 2022, councilors approved revisions to the ordinance for the first time in more than 20 years, increasing the annual salary to $31,075, in addition to per diems of $150 per council meeting and $75 per committee meeting. The ordinance will take effect in 2024, following the 2023 Indianapolis City-County Council election.{{cite news |last=Pak-Harvey |first=Amelia |date=June 7, 2022 |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2022/06/07/indianapolis-city-county-council-approves-pay-raise-begin-2024/7513781001/ |title=Indianapolis city-county councilors approve pay raise, their first in more than 20 years |newspaper=The Indianapolis Star |access-date=September 14, 2022}}
Pertinent issues
- Scooters Removal/Regulations{{Cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/07/13/indianapolis-scooters-what-proposed-regulations-could-mean/783069002/|title=Indianapolis scooters: What the proposed regulations could mean|first=Faith E.|last=Pinho|website=Indianapolis Star}}
- Addressing Potholes{{Cite web|url=https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/indy-city-county-council-makes-step-forward-in-addressing-potholes|title=Indy City-County Council Makes Step Forward In Addressing Potholes|first=Lauren|last=Chapman|date=February 28, 2018|website=WFYI Public Media}}
- Improve Downtown{{Cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2018/05/17/31-m-tax-improve-downtown-indianapolis-heads-city-county-council/620762002/|title=$31 million tax to beautify Downtown Indianapolis moves to City-County Council|first=Amy|last=Bartner|website=Indianapolis Star}}
- BlueIndy{{Cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/transportation/2019/12/20/blueindy-indianapolis-electric-car-sharing-program-shuts-down/4259749002/|title=BlueIndy: Indianapolis electric car-sharing program to shut down|website=Indianapolis Star}}
- Equity and Equality{{Cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2019/12/11/how-council-leader-hopes-transform-indianapolis-poor-and-marginalized-people/4390794002/|title=How council leader hopes to transform Indianapolis for poor and marginalized people|website=Indianapolis Star}}
- Council Pay Raise{{Cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2019/12/09/city-county-council-democrats-pull-pay-raise-proposal-agenda/2596630001/|title=City-County Council Democrats pull pay raise proposal from agenda, will revisit in 2020|website=Indianapolis Star}}
Former councilors
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
- Roger W. Brown (1972–1976)
- Paul Cantwell (1970–1979)
- Jeff Cardwell (2008–2013)
- André Carson (2007–2008)
- Ray Crowe (1984–1987)
- Aaron Freeman (2010–2016)
- Phillip Hinkle (1992–2000)
- Glenn L. Howard (1975–1992)
- Blake Johnson (2016–2020)
- Cherrish Pryor (2007–2008)
- John C. Ruckelshaus (1971–1975)
- Jack Sandlin (2010–2016)
- Scott Schneider (2000–2008)
- Beurt SerVaas (1961–2002)
- Jefferson Shreve (2013–2016, 2018–2020)
- Mike Speedy (2004–2010)
{{div col end}}
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.indy.gov/agency/city-county-council Indianapolis City-County Council]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Indianapolis City-County Council}}