8/15/2005
Media Contact:
Justin Ohlemiller, [317] 327-6709 |
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Department reorganization creates efficiencies, saves taxpayer dollars
Indianapolis – As part of the city’s ongoing effort to provide leaner, more efficient and less costly government, the Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) has combined two of its divisions -- a move that will restructure management positions, save taxpayer money and help the department more effectively utilize community revitalization resources.
Under the reorganization, the functions of both the Economic Development division -- which oversees land acquisition, manages city-owned properties and administers the city’s economic development initiatives -- and the Community Development section -- which directs the city’s neighborhood revitalization efforts through the administration of federal grant dollars -- will merge into one division.
This change is reflected in DMD’s portion of the city’s 2006 budget, which Mayor Bart Peterson presented to the City-County Council last week.
The creation of the new Division of Community Economic Development will enable DMD to take a more holistic approach to community revitalization, more closely tying targeted economic development initiatives with the creation and rehabilitation of quality housing.
"Just as we have planned for Fall Creek Place, housing and neighborhood retail development must occur together to create successful communities," said DMD Director Maury Plambeck. "This change saves taxpayer money and streamlines our efforts to help ensure a healthy mix of quality housing and commercial development to improve neighborhood quality of life."
Plambeck said the merger of the two divisions will reduce DMD’s dependency on tax dollars by approximately $23,000 this year and $42,000 in 2006. These cost savings are realized by two division-head positions being combined into one and the restructuring of several lower-level positions.
The portion of DMD’s budget funded by taxpayer dollars has been reduced each of the last three budgets. The percentage has gone from 14 percent in 2004 to just over 10.5 percent in the proposed 2006 budget.
Margaret Lawrence Banning, formerly the administrator of the Economic Development division, will head up the new division of Community Economic Development.
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