Unigov created municipal enclaves and excluded cities

In 1970 the Indiana General Assembly enacted Unigov, a consolidation that merged most Marion County governments with the City of Indianapolis while leaving several municipalities and towns legally separate. The law produced a patchwork of boundaries and independent 'excluded' cities and towns (for example, Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport and Speedway) that sit as enclaves or pockets within the consolidated county, creating unusual municipal border patterns. The arrangement affects taxation, municipal services, and political representation across Marion County. The consolidation and its exceptions remain the legal framework for Indianapolis municipal borders today.