Fishers City Councilors took the first step in raising fees builders must pay for failed building inspections.  The council had first reading Monday night of an ordinance making changes to that fee structure.

The council is moving toward the following:

Current:  First failed inspection  $75

New:  First failed inspection  $125

Current:  Second failed inspection  $150

New:  Second failed inspection  $300

Current:  Third failed inspection:  $500

New:  Third failed inspection  $750

After the third failed inspection, the city would have the authority to issue a stop work order.

The proposal will come back to the council for a final vote.

Volunteerism is a big part of what makes Fishers tick as a community on the move.  In the spring and fall seasons, volunteerism is once again front and center as city officials organize Keep Fishers Beautiful.

The city released a list of fall activities beginning October 1st.  Check out the listing, as provided by city officials, below:

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Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Katy Dowling briefed school board members on the 2023 budget outlook Tuesday morning.  The Budget Form 3 submitted to state officials shows a budget of just under $269 million, but Dowling cautions this number is always estimated high, because the school district cannot exceed that amount under state law.

Dowling will provide more precise numbers for the overall HSE Schools spending plan next year, during the public hearing set for October 12.  The 2023 budget will be up for a board vote October 26.  The legal deadline to finalize the budget is November 1.

Although overall numbers are not available, Dowling did reveal several items budget related.  Here are are a few:

–The student count for the entire district stands at 21,140 as of September 19.  The HSE Education Fund is expected to total $155 million next year.

–The state funding formula, based largely on enrollment, is projected to increase by $3.8 million.  Dowling also says the General Assembly will be approving a two-year budget in the 2023 session, starting on July 1, 2023.  That means HSE Schools will not know for certain what the funding will be from the state in the second half of calendar year 2023, but can make reasonable estimates.

–Dowling expects the HSE School District’s part of the local property tax rate to drop a bit in 2023, although it is too early to say how much.

–Assessed valuations for local property are expected to rise 17%, based on numbers provided by Hamilton County.

–The debt service tax rate will remain at .5898, where it has been for a number of years.

–The revenue from the referendum is estimated to be $26.5 million, up from this year’s$25 million.

Dowling did mention that several speakers at last year’s budget public hearing complained that federal funding and reimbursements were not included in the budget.  Federal funds are not included in the school district’s budget by law, per the CFO.  Board member Brad Boyer asked how much federal money is spent by HSE Schools, and administrators said the funds come in different ways, but could be put together and provided to board members.

Below is a news release from the Fishers Arts Council, announcing the winners of the juried art competition:

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The Hamilton County Community Foundation welcomed the Fishers Arts Council (FAC) into its bright, open spaces as FAC honored Hamilton County artists at its third annual Juried Exhibit reception on Friday evening, September 9, 2022. As in the two previous years, Jiffy Lube of Indiana was the art competition’s major sponsor, and Fishers Jiffy Lube General Manager Jack Garrett was present to welcome artists and guests and hand out awards.

The Jiffy Lube of Indiana “Best in Show” winner was Carmel resident Jerry Mannell for his painting “Tremors.” He received an award of $850 and the following comment from the show’s judge, Terry Lacy: Jerry’s painting “…is contemplative and reminds me of reading a poem or listening to a song that crystallizes a relationship between the viewer and the art….” The first-place winner, Maeve Asano, formerly of Carmel now Fort Wayne resident, received an award of $650 for her work “Maude’s Wonder,” which tells an “unfolding story” within the painting. The second-place award of $475 was given to Abigail Staffelbach of Fishers for her dreamlike, fairy-tale piece, “Bleeding Heart,” and the third-place winner was “Eternal Bond” and $350 to Shakila Garugu, also of Fishers, for her painting of a beautiful child. All winners were selected by juror Terry Lacy of Carroll County, Indiana.

There was also stiff competition for the People’s Choice award, with patrons voting on Facebook and in-person in the gallery. The winner was Fishers resident and MSD of Lawrence Township Art Teacher, Jeremy Mallov. His work “Guadalupe Hills” received the most overall votes and a $100 cash prize. All of these award-winning paintings are for sale, as are almost all of the their equally amazing works in the gallery through September 29. Fishers Arts Council hopes that many Hamilton County residents, and others, will visit the Hamilton County Community Foundation Collaboration Hub Gallery and experience the art and enjoy the work of many talented people in our area.

Guests can visit the gallery in person at 11810 Technology Drive Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, excluding holidays. You can also see the juried exhibit in their online gallery at FishersArtsCouncil.org/art-gallery-exhibit or on their Facebook page at Facebook.com/FishersArt.

Fishers has seen a major shift in the size and placement of the city’s population between 2010 and 2020.  As a result, the Fishers City Council must redraw the council districts before the next city election in 2023.

City Attorney Chris Greisl presented a proposal for new district lines to council members Monday night.  He said the map was prepared by the city staff, ensuring the districts were in compliance with state and federal laws.

Several council members had been hearing from residents in the Gray Eagle subdivision, unhappy that the neighborhood was split into two council districts, meaning more than one council member would be representing the area.  Gray Eagle in now in Councilor Brad DeReamer’s district, and DeReamer has submitted a change in the map that would keep Gray Eagle back in one council district.

Council President Todd Zimmerman reminded Gray Eagle homeowners that being represented by two members of the council is not necessarily a bad thing.

Councilor Jocelyn Vare said having the Fishers city staff prepare the first draft of the map was not a bipartisan process.  Greisl said any council member can submit proposed changes and there will be a part of the Fishers City Web site where the public may comment on the districts.

The legal deadline to approve the new city council districts is November 8.  First reading of the map was Monday night.  Unless the council schedules a special meeting, the map would need final council approval during the regular council meeting in October.

The search for workers has been daunting for most area employers, and Hamilton County government is no exception.  The county is sponsoring a job fair, Thursday, September 22, 10am-2pm.

The Job Fair will at the Juvenile Services Center, located at 18106 Cumberland Road in Noblesville.  While the Career Fair will predominately be for positions at the Sheriff’s Complex, the county’s Human Resources Department will be on hand to assist interested applicants for all available positions. Computers will be available for candidates to apply.

Hamilton County employs 950 full-time and 350 part-time workers and needs workers for law enforcement, clerical, labor/trades/crafts, and professional/executive positions. Full-time positions offer a benefits package.

The Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA), the organization representing teachers in the Hamilton Southeastern School District, has a tradition of inviting school board candidates to an election forum.  HSEA announced a Town Hall for the 2022 school board election and invited all candidates to attend.

The Town Hall is set form Tuesday,  October 4, 7pm, at the Launch Fishers Huston Theater.

Just as a reminder, below is a list of all the candidates.  Voters only choose the candidate running in the district in which the voter resides.

District 1

Brad Boyer
Jackie Howell
Tiffany Pascoe
Edward A. Gedeon

District 2

Juanita Y. Albright
Janet Pritchett

District 3

Dawn Lang
Carla V. Cork

District 4

Julie A. Chambers
Harry Delks
Ben Orr

(NOTE:  There was an error on the original post, showing the date as October 6…that was incorrect, the Date is October 4)

The State Road 37 project in Fishers reached a major milestone this past week, opening the east-west interchanges at 131st & 146th Streets.  The right-in right-out on 135th Street southbound on the west end remains closed.  There is still plenty of construction going on along State Road 37 in that area, so drive carefully and observe the speed limit.

Also, be on the lookout for lane restrictions on 96th Street in the coming week.

For additional details on that and much more, here is the weekly road construction update, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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STATE ROAD 37 AND 146TH STREET
The SR 37 & 146th Street Interchange is now open! 

STATE ROAD 37 AND 131ST STREET
The SR 37 & 131st Street Interchange is now open! 

STATE ROAD 37 AND 135TH STREET
135th Street, west of SR 37, is currently closed as work progresses on the project. During this phase, southbound traffic no longer has access to 135th Street, west of SR 37 and does allow right in/right out access for Northbound traffic at 135th Street.  


Please drive with caution through this area. To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com.

96TH STREET
Daily lane restrictions are currently in place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on 96th Street between Allisonville Road and Masters Road for the installation of small cell structures.

ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is currently taking place in Brookston Place, Geist Overlook and Hamilton Proper as part of the 2022 Resurfacing Project. Homeowners will be notified via door hangers prior to any curb reconstruction near their home. After ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is completed, those areas will be restored with topsoil and seed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to water the seed for the seed to germinate. Prior to road resurfacing, residents will be notified via street signage for street parking restrictions.

The Fishers Police Department plans its National Night Out Thursday, September 29, at the Police Department Headquarters on Municipal Drive.  This year’s event is being dedicated to the life and service of fallen Elwood Police Officer Noah Shahnavaz.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The annual event is aimed at enhancing the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement.

Citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses, youth organizations and local, state, and federal officials from 16,377 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide will join forces to celebrate the 38th Annual National Night Out – a community crime and safety event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.

The Fishers Police Department encourage all local citizens to join the department for an evening of fun and fellowship. A number of activities are planned for all ages – including vehicle, drone and equipment displays, crime scene collection display, crime prevention information and more. Free hotdogs, chips and cookies will also be provided.

Teachers in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District will receive a pay raise retroactive to July 1 of this year, and the entry-level salary for starting teachers will increase, under a new agreement overwhelmingly ratified by a vote of the teaching staff.  Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA) President Abby Taylor says most teachers in the district will receive a 5.8% pay increase, but about 350 of the 1,305 teachers in the HSE system will receive a 2.9% raise, depending on their level of education and where they appear on the pay scale.

Under the new contract, the starting salary for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree will be $44,074, up from the previous starting pay of $42,832.  Details on how the retroactive payment starting July 1 of this year will be paid are still being worked out.

The school board held a public hearing, as required by state law, but no one chose to speak.  The board is expected to provide final approval of the contract at the September 29  meeting.

In other news from the Thursday night school board session:

–The Lantern Road Elementary planned renovation will be scaled back to keep the project at the $14 million budget.  Furniture replacement, a new playground and other items in the renovation will need to wait in order to keep the cost at the approved budget.  The HVAC renovation will remain in the plans.

–Board President Julie Chambers explained that, per the statute, she, as board president, will be appointing the new Hamilton East Library Board member, not the entire board.  Chambers says 52 applications were received as of the deadline to replace Brian Myers, who, according to Chambers, resigned from the library board for personal reasons.  Reviewing all the applicants will take some time but Chambers says she will narrow the field down to 3-5 candidates and provide fellow board members those names before announcing a decision.  She has no specific timeline to make this appointment.  It may be announced at the September 29 meeting, but could be later.

–Superintendent Yvonne Stokes let everyone know there are plenty of job openings with HSE Schools.  She also reminded parents that September 30 will be an e-learning day.

–Brooke Lawson, Hamilton Southeastern Schools’ Mental Health and School Counseling Coordinator, was recently recognized by the Indiana School Counselor Association,  awarding her the 2023 Indiana Exemplary School Administrator of the Year.  She was honored by the board Thursday night for this recognition.  Watch a video produced by the school district about Brooke Lawson at this link.