As someone who has covered news in and around Fishers for the past 13 years, one issue I’ve followed closely is the distribution of local income tax revenue — specifically, how it is allocated under the formula set by the State of Indiana.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness has long contended that Carmel receives a disproportionately larger share of county income tax dollars than Fishers, despite the two cities being comparable in size and services. Over the years, Fadness has pushed for legislative changes to correct what he views as an imbalance, only to see his efforts repeatedly blocked in the courts.

That changed during the 2025 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Lawmakers passed a measure that Fadness says finally addresses the longstanding inequity. In an op-ed published in the July 4th edition of the Indianapolis Business Journal, the mayor outlines why this change was necessary and credits State Senator Kyle Walker for playing a pivotal role.

Fadness writes that Walker worked quietly behind the scenes — as lawmakers often do in Indiana — helping to navigate the legislative process outside of public view. While emphasizing that his criticism is not aimed at Carmel or Noblesville, Fadness instead blames what he calls “an antiquated formula that penalizes Fishers taxpayers while disproportionately benefiting residents of other communities.”

For years, the mayor has made the case that Fishers was being shortchanged. Now, it appears a majority of state legislators agree. If Senator Walker was instrumental in getting this measure through the Senate, the recognition from Mayor Fadness is well deserved.

However, it’s worth noting that any new legislation must also pass through the Indiana House of Representatives. That chamber is led by Speaker Todd Huston — a Fishers resident who represents the eastern portion of the city. It’s hard to imagine this provision becoming law without his support.

Curiously, Speaker Huston is not mentioned anywhere in the mayor’s IBJ commentary. That omission stands out.

You can read the Scott Fadness Op-Ed piece at this link.  (NOTE:  You will likely need to have an IBJ subscription to access this story)