Indianapolis City-County Council
| Indianapolis City-County Council | |
|---|---|
| City of Indianapolis | |
 | |
| Type | |
Term limits | None |
| History | |
| Founded | January 1, 1970 |
New session started | January 1, 2016 |
| Leadership | |
President |
Maggie Lewis (D) |
Vice-President |
Zach Adamson (D) |
Majority Leader |
Monroe Gray (D) |
Majority Whip |
William Oliver (D) |
Minority Leader |
Michael McQuillen (R) |
Minority Whip |
Marilyn Pfisterer (R) |
Minority Whip |
Janice McHenry (R) |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 25 |
 | |
Political groups |
Governing party Opposition party |
Length of term | 4 years |
| Elections | |
Last election |
November 3, 2015 (25 seats) |
Next election |
November 5, 2019 (25 seats) |
| Meeting place | |
| Indianapolis City-County Building | |
| Website | |
| Indianapolis City-County Council | |
The Indianapolis City-County Council is the legislative body of the combined government, known as Unigov, of the city of Indianapolis and the county of Marion in the state of Indiana. 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 25 seats, corresponding to 25 districts apportioned by population throughout Marion County. 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.[1] Every seat is up for reelection every four years. The head of council is the Council President who is elected by the majority party at the Council's first meeting in January. Following the 2015 elections, Democrats held control of the council with a 13–12 majority.[2] Republicans have generally been stronger in the southern and northeastern parts of the county (Decatur, Franklin, Lawrence, and Perry townships) while Democrats have been stronger in the central and northwestern parts (Center, Pike, and Warren townships). Republican and Democratic strength is split in Washington and Wayne townships.
In April 2013, the Indiana General Assembly removed the four at-large seats for the Council, starting with the term after the 2015 elections, part of a larger overhaul of Marion County government. Democrats had held control of all four seats when this measure passed the Republican controlled Indiana Legislature.[3]
Members of the Council
Committee chairs shown in bold.
| District | Council Member | First Took Office | Political Party | Committees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leroy Robinson | 2012 | Democratic Party | Metropolitan and Economic Development Public Safety and Criminal Justice Rules and Public Policy |
| 2 | Colleen Fanning | 2016 | Republican Party | Administration and Finance Metropolitan and Economic Development Parks and Recreation |
| 3 | Christine Scales | 2008 | Republican Party | Ethics Public Safety and Criminal Justice |
| 4 | Michael McQuillen | 2008 | Republican Party | Committee on Committees Rules and Public Policy |
| 5 | Jeff Coats | 2016 | Republican Party | Public Safety and Criminal Justice Rules and Public Policy |
| 6 | Janice McHenry | 2008 | Republican Party | Ethics Parks and Recreation Public Works |
| 7 | Joseph Simpson | 2012 | Democratic Party | Administration and Finance Parks and Recreation Public Safety and Criminal Justice Parks and Recreation Public Safety and Criminal Justice |
| 8 | Monroe Gray, Jr. | 1992 | Democratic Party | Committee on Committees Municipal Corporations Parks and Recreation Public Works Rules and Public Policy |
| 9 | William Oliver | 2004 | Democratic Party | Parks and Recreation Public Safety and Criminal Justice Public Works |
| 10 | Maggie Lewis | 2009* | Democratic Party | Administration and Finance Committee on Committees Rules and Public Policy |
| 11 | Vop Osili | 2012 | Democratic Party | Metropolitan and Economic Development Public Works Rules and Public Policy |
| 12 | Blake Johnson | 2016 | Democratic Party | Administration and Finance Community Affairs and Education Ethics Rules and Public Policy |
| 13 | Stephen Clay | 2014* | Democratic Party | Municipal Corporations Public Safety and Criminal Justice |
| 14 | LaKeisha Jackson | 2014* | Democratic Party | Administration and Finance Ethics Municipal Corporations |
| 15 | Marilyn Pfisterer | 2004 | Republican Party | Administration and Finance Public Safety and Criminal Justice |
| 16 | Jeff Miller | 2012 | Republican Party | Community Affairs and Education Metropolitan and Economic Development Public Works |
| 17 | Zach Adamson | 2011 | Democratic Party | Community Affairs and Education Metropolitan and Economic Development Public Works |
| 18 | Susie Cordi | 2016 | Republican Party | Municipal Corporations Parks and Recreation Public Works |
| 19 | David Ray | 2016 | Democratic Party | Administration and Finance Community Affairs and Education Ethics Metropolitan and Economic Development Public Works |
| 20 | Jason Holliday | 2012 | Republican Party | Community Affairs and Education Municipal Corporations |
| 21 | Frank Mascari | 2012 | Democratic Party | Community Affairs and Education Municipal Corporations Parks and Recreation Public Safety and Criminal Justice |
| 22 | Jared Evans | 2016 | Democratic Party | Metropolitan and Economic Development Municipal Corporations Public Safety and Criminal Justice |
| 23 | Scott Kreider | 2016 | Republican Party | Community Affairs and Education Metropolitan and Economic Development Rules and Public Policy |
| 24 | Jack Sandlin | 2010* | Republican Party | Administration and Finance Ethics |
| 25 | Aaron Freeman | 2010* | Republican Party | Municipal Corporations Public Safety and Criminal Justice |
- *Elected in a special election
The Clerk of the Council is NaTrina DeBow.
Salary
As of January 2016, members of the council earn $16,400 a year, an increase from $11,400 during the previous year.[4] This pay increase placed Indianapolis in the number 23 rank among the nation's 25 largest cities.[5]
See also
External links
References
- ↑ "Marion County, Indiana". Savi Interactive. 2008-01-04. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ↑ "2015 Municipal Election Results for Marion County". Marion County Clerk's Office. 2015-11-16. Retrieved 2016-01-03.
- ↑ "Pence signs measure overhauling Marion County government". Indianapolis Business Journal. May 11, 2013.
- ↑ "Indy council approves pay hikes". Indianapolis Star. December 15, 2015.
- ↑ "Detroit council pay raise angers retirees facing cuts". USA Today. April 5, 2015.