One of the compromises made to secure passage of the Unigov legislation was that all incorporated Marion County municipalities with populations of more than 5,000 would be excluded from the city-county consolidation. This exclusion reduced opposition to Unigov among the larger and more influential suburbs within the county. 

excluded-cities-0-cropped.jpg
The growth of Indianapolis and Marion County from 1900 to 1972. Excluded cities are shown in white. Credit: Indiana State Library View Source

The municipalities originally excluded were the cities of Beech Grove and Lawrence and the town of Speedway. Just before Unigov took effect the city of Southport annexed enough territory to meet the population requirement and attain exclusion.

These four municipalities remain part of Marion County but not of Indianapolis. They are essentially self-governing municipalities. Their residents are subject to all countywide ordinances, receive all countywide services, and pay all countywide taxes. They also vote in elections for the Unigov mayor and the City-County Council, in addition to their own municipal officials. Their municipal services are either self-provided or secured from Indianapolis or the township in which they are located.

Revised February 2021
KEY WORDS
Government
 

Help improve this entry

Contribute information, offer corrections, suggest images.

You can also recommend new entries related to this topic.