Unigov

Unigov, short for Unified Government, refers to the consolidated city-county government of Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana. It was established through reforms enacted in 1969 and approved by Marion County voters in 1970, aimed at addressing urban growth, governance fragmentation, and inefficient service delivery in central Indiana. The plan merged most of Marion County's governmental functions with those of the City of Indianapolis, creating a single municipal structure for most urban services while preserving some autonomy for incorporated towns and townships.

Under Unigov, most functions—public safety, public works, parks and recreation, planning and zoning, and other municipal services—are administered by the City-County government, led by a mayor and governed by the Indianapolis-Marion County Council. The arrangement provided for the annexation of areas within Marion County into the City of Indianapolis, expanding the city's authority and tax base, while allowing separate municipalities to retain limited self-government in areas not annexed.

Outcomes of Unigov include centralized budgeting and planning, improved delivery of urban services, and a framework for regional growth. Critics have argued that it reduced suburban autonomy and shifted political power toward the center city. Nevertheless, Unigov remains the legal basis for governance in Indianapolis and Marion County and is widely cited as a notable example of city-county consolidation in the United States.