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Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett on Wednesday night announced a new proposal to help fix roads in Indianapolis.
Hogsett’s proposal would take a portion of the 1 percent expenditure rate for nine counties – Marion, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hendricks, Hancock, Morgan, Johnson and Shelby – and put the money into what the mayor is calling a “Regional Infrastructure Fund.”
Hogsett
The money would go toward fixing Marion County’s roads that are not federally funded.
Income tax is distributed to each person’s county of residence, which Hogsett says leaves Marion County left with the bill for fixing the roads that are used by more than 161,000 daily commuters from outside counties.
The money would go toward bond payments that, Hogsett said, would be distributed to the most-heavily traveled roads.
Indianapolis leaders associated with the proposal said the next concrete steps that would need to be taken are unclear. They said discussions still need to be had involving the General Assembly making some type of regional governing body to better dictate the rules and restrictions involving this decision.
Fadness, Hogsett not exactly on same ‘regionalism’ page
By LARRY LANNAN
When Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness delivered his State of the City address last week, he emphasized regionalism in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area as a way to solve problems, particularly an issue like infrastructure.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett recently unveiled his vision of what regionalism would look like at his State of the City address, and it appears the two mayors are no exactly together in their vision.
Under Hogsett’s plan, Hamilton County would fund 33 percent of the regional fund but receive just 18 percent of the proceeds.
Hamilton County officials respond
Heirbrandt
Jensen
“My top priority is solving Noblesville’s pressing traffic and mobility issues by investing in our city’s current infrastructure needs. As always, we welcome the chance to work with our neighbors in addressing our region’s needs, including infrastructure. As we look at Mayor Hogsett’s proposal and continue this conversation, we welcome any ideas from our partners that will benefit Noblesville and its taxpayers.”
– Noblesville Common Councilman and Republican candidate for Mayor Chris Jensen
“My response is simple: I am against it.”
– Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt
Brainard
Cook
“I support the idea of regionalism because we know that when one Central Indiana city wins, we all win. The Central Indiana Conference of Elected Officials (CICEO), of which Mayor Hogsett participates, developed a concept to use a source of new funding for projects of regional significance. This plan was introduced to the legislature in the last session and was assigned to a summer study committee. As a result, we plan to present a well-defined plan in the next session. I was unaware of Mayor Hogsett’s proposal and I hope the CICEO plan receives serious consideration. As regional leaders, we have been looking at and discussing how other metro areas have already dealt with this issue. I want a future-focused system in which we all participate in the decision-making versus an Indianapolis-only solution.”
– Westfield Mayor Andy Cook
“I need to study this proposal. I agree that we need to work cooperatively, but this is a very complicated proposal that needs to be studied to ensure that it is not a Band-Aid but is in the best interests of residents of both Indianapolis and Carmel.”
– Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard
Fadness
“I’m perplexed by Mayor Hogsett’s proposal that is not consistent with the work the Central Indiana Conference of Elected Officials has been doing collectively over the last year. While I agree that regionalism is important, I believe we need to find a solution that will transcend political seasons and ensure the long-term sustainability of our region.”
– Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness
Indianapolis/Marion County has over three-quarters of a million residents.
Indianapolis came crying to the doughnut counties when it came to the financing of Lucas Oil Stadium. Even though here in Hamilton County I don’t see how the LOS benefits any of the mom & pops in Atlanta, Sheridan or Arcadia.
Now, Indianapolis comes crying to the doughnut counties again, this time for roads & infrastructure which I fully expect will be diverted to other causes chrome-plated causes, as Indy behaves like a drunken sailor with the taxpayers hard earned dollar. (ie, Indy needs money for schools, let’s put up $100K+ LED signs in front of the schools!).
Indy, you want more dollars from the doughnut counties? We, in the doughnut counties get to vote for Mayor of Indy!!!
Sounds very fair for the price of admission.
And vehicles from Indianapolis do not come to Hamilton County and cause damage to our roads? The commuters from Hamilton County driving into Marion County pay taxes there in the form of food, gas and other items purchased. Remember, Hamilton County is one of many counties already paying taxes for Lucas Oil Stadium. We are not their Sugar Daddy.
Indianapolis has neglected their roads for years. My son previously lived on South Spencer Ave. in Indianapolis. The street has not been repaved since it was built in 1934, rebar is sticking up in the street. Indianapolis simply cannot control its spending