Indianapolis City-County Council

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District map for the Council
District map for the 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.

Contents

[edit] 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3]

Affiliation Members
  Republican Party 16
  Democratic Party 13
 Total
29
 Republican Majority
3

[edit] Council leadership

Position Name Party District
President Bob Cockrum Republican 22
Vice-President Kent Smith Republican AL
Majority Leader Lincoln Plowman Republican 25
Majority Whip Ryan Vaughn Republican 3
Minority Leader Joanne Sanders Democratic AL
Minority Whip William Oliver Democratic 10

[edit] Members of the Council

District Council Member First Took Office Political Party
1 Jose M. Evans January 1, 2008 Democratic
2 Angela Mansfield January 1, 2004 Democratic
3 Ryan Vaughn December 5, 2006 Republican
4 Christine Scales January 1, 2008 Republican
5 Virginia Cain January 1, 2004 Republican
6 Janice McHenry January 1, 2008 Republican
7 Cherrish Pryor January 1, 2007 Democratic
8 Monroe Gray November 23, 1992 Democratic
9 Jackie Nytes January 3, 2000 Democratic
10 William Oliver January 1, 2004 Democratic
11 Paul Bateman March 7, 2006 Democratic
12 Michael J. McQuillen January 1, 2008 Republican
13 Robert Lutz July 20, 2007 Republican
14 Mariliyn Pfisterer January 1, 2004 Republican
15 Doris Minton-McNeill March 22, 2008 Democratic
16 Brian Mahern January 1, 2008 Democratic
17 Mary Moriarty Adams January 1, 1988 Democratic
18 Vernon Brown January 1, 2004 Democratic
19 Dane Mahern January 1, 2004 Democratic
20 N. Susie Day January 1, 2004 Republican
21 Benjamin Hunter January 1, 2008 Republican
22 Bob Cockrum January 1, 1996 Republican
23 Jeffery L. Cardwell January 1, 2008 Republican
24 Mike Speedy January 1, 2004 Republican
25 Lincoln Plowman January 1, 2004 Republican
At-Large Ed Coleman January 1, 2008 Republican
At-Large Barbara Malone January 1, 2008 Republican
At-Large Joanne Sanders January 3, 2000 Democratic
At-Large Kent B. Smith January 1, 2008 Republican

[edit] Committees

Committee Chair: (R) Marilyn Pfisterer
Committee Chair: (R) Bob Cockrum
Committee Chair: (R) Kent Smith
Committee Chair: (R) Jeffery Cardwell
Committee Chair: (R) Lincoln Plowman
Committee Chair: (R) Michael McQuillen
Committee Chair: (R) Susie Day
Committee Chair: (R) Ryan Vaughn
Committee Chair: (R) Benjamin Hunter
Committee Chair: (R) Robert Lutz

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Marion County, Indiana. Savi Interactive (2008-01-04). Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
  2. ^ 2007 General Election, Certified Results. Indy Gov (2007-11-16). Retrieved on 2008-03-15.
  3. ^ Voter turnout a key factor in Carson win. Indianapolis Star (2008-03-15). Retrieved on 2008-03-15.