Unigov, a unique consolidation of city and county governments, has proven to be one of the most important tools of Indianapolis' continuing growth. Indianapolis has been nationally recognized for its many innovative approaches to publicsector management. Yet, it was Unigov, created nearly a generation ago, that has served as a model to other municipalities of how efficient consolidated local government can be organized and operated.

After years of duplication of services and wasted public funds, former Indianapolis Mayor Richard G. Lugar and community leaders began to develop a plan to reduce the inefficiencies of operating separate city and county governments. The result of those efforts was a proposal to consolidate city and county governments in Marion County. On January 1, 1970, by act of the Indiana General Assembly, consolidated government — Unigov — was instituted and the city of Indianapolis expanded its boundaries to include all of Marion County.

This act increased the Indianapolis population by approximately 50 percent. Unigov also expanded the city's tax base and endowed the consolidated city with powers and functions formerly scattered among various city and county officials and a multitude of departments, agencies, boards, and commissions.

Under Unigov, the City Council and County Council combined to form the City-County Council. City-county government is now divided into three branches, the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, similar to the federal system of government.

1. The executive branch consists of the mayor's office and five departments, each with its own functions and responsibilities. Under Unigov, the mayor is the chief executive officer of both the city and the county. A director is appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City-County Council for each of the five departments:

Each department also has a non-salaried policy making board that holds regular public meetings. The board members are appointed by the mayor and the council.

2. The legislative branch of local government consists of the 29-member City-County Council. Each member is elected for a fouryear term. Twenty-five of the members are elected by the voters in their districts and four at-large members are elected by the voters of the entire county. The council has exclusive power to adopt budgets, levy taxes, and make appropriations. The council can also enact, repeal or amend local ordinances.

3. The third branch of Unigov, the judicial branch, consists of a Circuit Court; a Superior Court with four divisions (Civil, Criminal, Probate and Juvenile); a Municipal Court with 13 criminal trial courtrooms and four civil courtrooms; and a Small Claims Court with eight courtrooms.

Although most government agencies and services in Marion County were consolidated in 1970, not all functions of local government were absorbed by Unigov. School districts remain independent as before and police and fire departments continue their operations with little change.

Because they wished to retain their autonomy, the cities of Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport and the town of Speedway were not included in Unigov. Instead, residents of these "excluded" units of governments elect their own mayors, councils and boards. As residents of Marion County, however, dwellers in Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport and Speedway are obligated to pay countywide taxes. Because of this and because the Indianapolis mayor's power extends to the entire county, residents of the four communities can vote for the mayor of Indianapolis, a city-county council member and the four at-large council members.

In addition to these services and agencies, there are six municipal corporations that operate independently of Unigov, although their budgets are reviewed by the City-County Council. The independent municipal corporations are: