The government of Indianapolis

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...

is a mayor-council, consolidated city-county

Consolidated city-county

In United States local government, a consolidated city–county is a city and county that have been merged into one unified jurisdiction. As such it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal corporation, and a county, which is an administrative division of a state...

 system. The executive branch is headed by the elected mayor

Mayor

In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....

, and the legislative branch is made up of the 29-member City-County Council. Indianapolis and Marion County

Marion County, Indiana

Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded a population of 903,393, making it the largest county in the state and 55th most populated county in the country, greater than the population of six states. The county seat is Indianapolis, the state capital and...

 have a consolidated government known as Unigov

Unigov

Unigov is the name adopted by the city of Indianapolis to describe its consolidated city–county government. By an act of the Indiana state legislature, Indianapolis consolidated with the government of Marion County in 1970. Within Unigov are eleven "included towns", which maintain some of their own...

. Most government offices are located in the City-County Building

Indianapolis City-County Building

The Indianapolis City–County Building is a 28-story building at 200 E. Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana that houses the offices of the consolidated city–county government of Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana, known as Unigov...

.

Executive

The Mayor of Indianapolis is the chief executive of the city and the county. The mayor is elected to a four-year term by the citizens of Marion County. There is no limit to the number of terms a mayor may serve.

There are several city departments and other agencies included in the executive branch. The agencies' heads are appointed by the mayor.

Departments

• Department of Administration and Equal Opportunity - Responsible for human resources functions for all city agencies. Enforces the city's anti-workplace discrimination ordinance.

• Department of Metropolitan Development - Carries out urban planning
  Urban planning
  Urban planning incorporates areas such as economics, design, ecology, sociology, geography, law, political science, and statistics to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities....
  
   and enforcement of zoning and land-use ordinances. Also responsible for redevelopment of blighted areas and vacant land.

• Department of Parks and Recreation (Indy Parks) - Maintains public park
  Park
  A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
  
  s and recreational facilities. See also: List of parks in Indianapolis, Indiana.

• Department of Public Safety - Includes animal control, emergency management, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
  Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
  The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is the law enforcement agency for the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, in the United States. Its operational jurisdiction covers all of the consolidated city of Indianapolis and Marion County except for the Airport Authority and three of the four...
  
  , and the Indianapolis Fire Department
  Indianapolis Fire Department
  The Indianapolis Fire Department is the principal fire suppression, prevention, and rescue agency of Indianapolis, Indiana, under the jurisdiction of the Mayor of Indianapolis....
  
  .

• Department of Public Works - Maintains city infrastructure, including streets, sewers, and drainage. Also collects household garbage and investigates illegal dumping.

• Department of Waterworks - Responsible for the city's water utility. The system is operated under contract by Veolia.

Executive Offices

• City Controller - Manages the city's finances. The office controls all purchasing by city agencies, and writes the annual budget.

• Corporation Counsel - Provides legal services to city agencies and represents the city in court. Prosecutes ordinance violations.

Legislative

The legislative branch of the city government is the Indianapolis City-County Council

Indianapolis City-County 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...

, which is composed of 29 members elected to four-year terms. 25 members represent geographic districts, and 4 are elected at large.