In any community, the city and state government are vitally important to economic progress. Develop Indy works closely with our city and state government officials to ensure Indianapolis remains progressive and business-friendly.
City
Mayor Gregory A. Ballard serves as the chief executive of the city and the county. The mayor is elected to a four-year term by the citizens of Marion County. The legislative branch of the city government is the Indianapolis City-County Council, which is composed of 29 members elected to four-year terms, 25 members representing geographic districts, and four at large representatives.
Key City Departments
- Department of Code Enforcement: Licenses and inspects certain businesses, issues permits for construction, and enforces civil code violations, such as zoning, land use, and animal care and control violations.
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- Department of Metropolitan Development: Carries out urban planning and is responsible for redevelopment of blighted areas and vacant land.
- Department of Parks & Recreation (Indy Parks): Maintains public parks and recreational facilities.
- Department of Public Safety: Includes animal control, homeland security, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Indianapolis Fire Department.
- Department of Public Works: Maintains city infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, sewers and drainage. Also collects household garbage and investigates illegal dumping.
- Department of Waterworks: Responsible for the city's water utility.
Executive Offices
- Controller: Manages the city and county budget, oversees city and county human resources, and manages all purchasing by agencies, departments and offices of the city and county.
- Corporation Counsel: Provides legal services to city agencies and represents the city in court, prosecutes ordinance violations and enforces the city’s anti-workplace discrimination ordinance.
- Minority & Women Business Development: Assists businesses with minority, women and veteran business certifications, and assists small business with city and non-city business opportunities.
State
Indiana’s form of government is closely modeled on the federal government with three branches:
- Executive: Governor Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., heads the executive branch.
- Legislative: The General Assembly consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Indiana’s 50 State Senators are elected for four-year terms and 100 State Representatives for two-year terms. In odd-numbered years, the General Assembly meets in a sixty-one day session. In even-numbered years, the Assembly meets for thirty session days.
- Judicial: This branch consists of the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and local circuit courts.
More Information
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