The Fishers Police Department prides itself on having accreditation from the Commission on Law Enforcement Agencies. In order to maintain that accreditation, the department is required to periodically survey citizens in the community served by that police agency
Citizens of Fishers are being encouraged by local police officials to complete an online survey. You can access the survey at this link.
“It is the goal of the Fishers Police Department to achieve and maintain the highest level of quality service for our residents and visitors” according to the police department news release. “Input from the citizens of Fishers is essential in the Fishers Police Department’s continued effort to promote effective police services and protection to all members of the community.
The survey is designed to address questions about contacts between the public and Fishers law enforcement officers. Citizens are also asked about their own perceptions of safety in their neighborhoods and commercial areas.
I have talked to a number of graduates from the Fishers City Government Academy, and every single one praises the program. The goal is to give citizens of Fishers an idea of how their government works.
The academy is preparing to bring on a new crop of people this fall. See the city news release below for details on how you can take part.
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The City of Fishers’ award-winning City Government Academy (CGA) returns this spring offering residents an exclusive, behind-the-scenes exploration of local government. Engagement is a resounding theme in Fishers, and there’s no better way for residents 18 and older to get connected to city officials while learning more about how local government operates. Most meetings take place on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., and locations vary.
The ten week course begins on Tuesday, Feb. 23 in the City Hall Auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m. with an introduction and orientation by Mayor Scott Fadness and Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath. During the course, participants will explore city facilities, tour the wastewater treatment plant, and even explore Fishers Fire Department’s Station 91. The City Government Academy curriculum also includes an HSE Schools night, an opportunity to gain perspective on the community’s school system. Participation is free for Fishers residents, but registration is required.
To learn more about CGA curriculum and meeting dates, please visit www.Fishers.in.us/CGA. Individuals interested in securing a spot are encouraged to register online. Special accommodations, such as ASL interpreters, can be made if needed. To arrange any necessary accommodations, please contact Dan Domsic at least two business days prior to the first meeting. Dan can be reached at domsicd@fishers.in.us or by phone at (317) 595-3151.
I was covering the Hamilton Southeastern School Board Monday night, but during that same time, Hamilton County officials were talking about final funding plans for the State Road 37 construction.
Lindsey Erdody of the Indianapolis Business Journal was at the county confab. Bottom line, Hamilton County Council members appear to be in favor of the upgrade, but also seem to be in no hurry to move forward.
Board members raise their hands in unanimous support of referendum
In a unanimous vote, members of the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board moved ahead with plans to place a tax referendum on the May 3rd primary election ballot. The proposal before the voters will ask for 12.75 cents more per $100 of assessed valuation in property tax revenue, on top of the 10 cent rate established in a 2009 operating expense referendum. The total amount to be listed in the referendum language will be 22.75 cents.
If approved, this rate increase would apply to all property owners, no matter where you live in the school district, according to HSE Chief Financial Officer Mike Reuter. Because this is an increase on the total tax rate, which would impact all property in the HSE district. Reuter added that businesses taking advantage of certain tax abatement programs, including Tax Increment Financing (TIF), would still pay any property tax amount approved in a referendum.
School Superintendent Allen Bourff went to great lengths in detailing the needs. The most important is reducing class sizes by hiring more teachers. If approved, Bourff told the board he would utilize mobile classrooms until new facilities can be constructed to handle the smaller classes.
Bourff told the board “World Class” programs are needed to prepare students for the world students will face, including additional language opportunities. He also wants to retain and attract staff by beginning to close the pay gap. HSE schools are in the lower third of pay scales among area school systems.
All board members spoke in favor of placing the referendum on the ballot.
The Youth Mentoring Initiative was honored during Monday’s board session
The Fishers City Board of Public Works and Safety voted to take no action on a request by residents in the area of Brook School Road, between 126th & 116th Streets to enact a weight limit. Alex Echeverria spoke on behalf of the neighborhood residents, arguing that an increase in truck traffic has created danger for those trying to walk along the street or access the neighborhood park.
Mayor Scott Fadness told the residents that even though weight limits are not warranted at this time, “we have an impediment for residents to feel safe to walk across the street to a park that we have and invested in…to me that is a problem.”
Fadness wants the city to study any speeding problems along that stretch of city road.
“There does need to be some thoughtful discussion around – what are the opportunities….whether its lit crosswalks, whether it’s even narrowing some sections of Brook School Road, which gives people a feeling you need to slow down,” Fadness said. “I think all those things need to be evaluated and we need to to identify a way to make this corridor, not necessarily a complete thoroughfare.”
In another matter before the board at its Monday afternoon session, Rick Farnham, Assistant Director of Public Works, said the sewer line that collapsed just after Christmas Day is now repaired, but it will take some time to fully repair the roads and sidewalks in the area of 106th Street and Allisonville Road. He expects the work should be complete by February 12th. Farnham estimates the total cost of the repairs and cleanup to be between $200,000 and $250,000.
It would appear the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board is set to act Monday night (1/25) on a tax referendum on the May 3rd primary election ballot. Per a posting on the HSE Schools Web site, school administrators are prepared to ask the board for approval of a property tax hike in that referendum.
School referendums for operating expenses expire after 7 years, per Indiana state law. The current referendum rate, enacted in 2008, adds 10 cents per $100 of assessed property valuation to property taxes paid in the HSE School District. The proposal from the school staff would request 12.75 cents be added to the current 10 cent additional rate approved in the last referendum.
How this would impact individual taxpayers is a complicated question. Homeowners are allowed deductions from their tax bills. Also, the property tax caps impact different property owners in different ways, depending on whether that homeowner is at or below the cap amount.
The Web site posting indicates class size is the number one reason to request the additional money from taxpayers. Below you will see how Grades K-6 would be impacted if the referendum is passed:
Grade
Current Class Size Average
Proposed Class Size Average
Kindergarten-Second
23-25
21-23
Third-Fourth
26-27
24-25
Fifth-Sixth
27-28
26
It is not clear whether the school corporation would need additional building projects to realize the class size reductions, but this referendum would be aimed at increasing teaching staff levels.
The second reason for the tax increase request is to “Attract and Retain a Quality Teaching Staff.” Administrators say teaching salaries at HSE are in the bottom third of area school systems, citing 2 science teachers that recently left HSE for a $10,000 increase in pay.
The third reason listed by HSE for the referendum amount is to “Prepare Students for Global Competition.” Several programs are listed here, including entrepreneurship and foreign language classes.
The Indiana General Assembly did approve additional money for HSE schools in the current 2-year state budget cycle. That has clearly helped. But to reach the goals of lower class sizes, attracting and retaining staff and preparing students for the world we see today, school officials are saying the additional money is needed.
This referendum campaign should be an interesting one. In the past, local voters have approved school referendums by a healthy margin. However, it appears there will be organized opposition to this referendum, which has not been the case in previous plebiscites. A Political Action Committee (PAC) advocating for passage of the referendum has already been created.
If, as expected, the school board approves the administration’s request, the school funding referendum will appear on the ballot in May. Let’s see how the campaign unfolds.
Lane restrictions and closures will continue in the area of 106th Street and Allisonville Road as crews continue to repair a collapsed sewer line. The city says these restrictions will continue “until further notice.”
Look for more road work along the Fall Creek trail at 96th Street and Brook School Road, Lantern Road between 116th Street and Commercial Drive, 96th Street west of Masters Road in the eastbound lanes and fence work will continue along 116th Street 9-3 from Hague Road to Charleston Parkway.
Below is the full statement from the City of Fishers….
Tree clearing continues along Fall Creek Road between 96th Street and Brooks School Road the week of Jan. 25th. This work is in preparation for trail work coming later this spring, and additional details will be posted as they are available.
LANTERN ROAD
Lantern Road between 116th Street and Commercial Drive will be restricted the week of Jan. 25th. Please use caution and pay close attention to signage displayed in the area.
96th STREET
Beginning on Friday, Jan. 22, eastbound 96th Street just west of Masters Road will have one lane closed. This closure is for utility work in the roadway and will be in place through Monday, Jan. 25th.
106TH STREET
106th Street west of Allisonville Road and the southbound lane of Allisonville Road will be closed until further notice for repairs to the sanitary sewer line. Repair work may require additional road repairs, and ongoing updates will be made available on the @DriveFishers Twitter account as this project progresses.
116th STREET
The eastbound lane of 116th Street from Hague Road to Charleston Parkway will be restricted between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for fence replacement. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling along the corridor and pay close attention to signage displayed.
The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Foundation is set to present its fourth annual Game Day fundraiser February 26th, at Conner Prairie. In the past, the event was tied to watching college basketball tournament games. This year, the event will celebrate the game.
Game Day 2016 will also feature Joe Reitz, an offensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts and product of the HSE High School football program. He will serve as honorary chair of Game Day, mingling with the crowd.
Game Day will feature food, entertainment and a silent auction. Tickets are $65 each and can be bought using this link. ($41.50 of the cost qualifies for a potential tax deduction as a charitable contribution)
All the proceeds go to STEM projects and teacher led initiatives across all 21 schools. (STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education)
This event has sold out in the past, so it’s a good idea to get your tickets now if you plan on attending.
It appears the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Administration has settled on a specific referendum recommendation to present to the school board for a vote Monday night. Based on a Web site posting, administrators will present to the board a referendum amount of 22.75 cents per $100 of assessed property tax valuation. The current referendum is about to expire after 7 years. It provided a 10 cent increase, so school officials are recommending raising the current rate by 12.75 cents.
The proposed tax increase would mean an additional $17 million for local schools over the next 7 years.
Actual property tax bills are a bit more complicated, since residential homeowners are allowed deductions and the property tax caps can impact different individual taxpayers in various ways.
The board was set to hold the referendum last year, but decided to delay the process in order to hold meetings with school employees and people in the community for feedback. School Superintendent Allen Bourff has told board members on more than one occasion that the most often mentioned comment in these meetings is that the school system should ensure whatever is requested is enough to take care of the school corporation’s needs
In the posting on the HSE Web site, school officials list three goals to be achieved through the extra money gleaned from a referendum:
Reduce Class Sizes
Attract and Retain Quality Teachers
Prepare Students for Global Competition
The school board is expected to vote on the referendum issue at Monday night’s meeting.
Based on the school board decision, voters will resolve the issue in the May 3rd primary election.
