By Don Riley
1/16/2008

A state senate committee approved a bill that further consolidates Marion County government.

The senate’s local government and elections committee heard testimony about it Tuesday afternoon, starting with an endorsement from Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard. The mayor said voters elected him to reform local government and the senate bill accomplishes that goal.

The bill transfers control of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the county’s emergency communications system from the sheriff to the mayor effective July 1. It also consolidates township fire departments into the Indianapolis Fire Department in 2009. However, an amendment prevents the city-county council from controlling fire departments in previously excluded towns such as Speedway, Lawrence and Beech Grove.

The bill also eliminates Marion County’s small claims courts, substituting four satellite superior courts specializing in small claims disputes.

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