by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County’s tremendous growth in new construction is reflected in new taxable valuation totals from the County Auditor’s office. The figures reveal the tax base on which property tax rates are calculated will raise more money next year if a tax rate remains the same as this year.

Countywide, the increase in assessed valuation rose more than $1.4 billion to a record $23.5 billion. Carmel experienced the greatest gain: $570 million, but $195 million of that was due to annexations. Arcadia was the only unit to suffer a loss in valuation, dropping from $38.7 million to $37.9 million.

Overall, there is good news for taxpayers because tax rates are expected to remain static in the case of most units of local government. In fact, rates could be reduced slightly and governmental units could still raise that same revenue as this year. (Exceptions would be in the case of any unit where voters have approved a referendum seeking more money.)

Of course, reductions are actually not likely because needs for services are increasing along with the population. Salary increases, added employees, energy costs and insurance costs will likely eat up the new money provided by the expanding tax base.

In any event, the larger tax base is one advantage of living in a growing county. In many areas of the state where taxable values are static or even falling, officials continue to be faced with either increasing taxes or cutting back on public services and facilities.

Property tax rates for 2020 will be calculated in the next few months. Those proposed rates will be published for each unit of government: City, school, township, library and county.

by

Jeff Jellison

Hamilton County Reporter

Day 2 of the county budget hearing didn’t start quite as smoothly as the previous day.

On Tuesday, Hamilton County Council members deadlocked in a 3-3 vote to provide funding for three advocates for the Youth Assistance Program (YAP). The advocates were to be used for a large case load in the communities of Fishers, Westfield and Carmel. The county already provides funding for the YAP programs in Sheridan and the Hamilton Heights area.

Because of Tuesday’s vote, council members on Wednesday could not revisit funding the three YAP advocates, so on Wednesday, Councilman Steve Schwartz unexpectedly made a motion to provide the organization with $240,000 in cash. Schwartz’s motion was seconded by Councilman Jeff Hern. Hern was not in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.

Schwartz’s motion sparked a debate among council members.

Councilman Rick McKinney questioned the legalities of providing the organization with money they had not specifically requested.

President Brad Beaver conducted a vote on Schwartz’s motion. Fred Glynn and Rick McKinney voted not to support Schwartz’s plan. Council members Amy Massillamany, Brad Beaver, Steve Schwartz, Ken Alexander and Jeff Hern each voted to support the motion.

“It passes. We are going to give them $240K in cash,” said Beaver.

Glynn, who voted on Tuesday not to fund the three advocates, asked council members, “Anybody else we want to divvy money out to?”

Glynn’s question prompted a sharp reply from Beaver. “That’s why we are here.”

Beaver told council members, “This is the day where the tough votes are. Everyone gets all mad at each other, it doesn’t matter. This is what we get paid for.”

Later in the day, council members voted on requests from other nonprofits. Below is a table of organizations, the amount each requested and the amount agreed upon by the council.

Council members also agreed to provide Hamilton County Judicial Services $280,000 to be used for pauper attorney contracts.

A public hearing on the budget will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4 at the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center. Council members will vote to adopt the nearly $100 million budget at 9 a.m. on Sept. 16.

Fishers Chief of Police Ed Gebhart talks about his first year running the department, the state of the body cam installations and a number of other subjects in this podcast conversation

August 7th marks the first day of school throughout the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District.  Superintendent Allen Bourff took a few minutes from a very busy day to talk with me about the first day of classes, the unexpected surge this school year in the student population and a number of other subjects.

by

Jeff Jellison

Hamilton County Reporter

The Hamilton County Council concluded day one of its 2020 budget hearing on Tuesday.

The 2020 county budget, expected to be just under $100 million, includes a 3 percent pay raise for county employees.

Beaver

Council President Brad Beaver in a statement published last week said, “It’s a big budget. It is a big operation. Our biggest expenses are salaries and benefits for the 800 county employees as well as highway projects.”

During the hearing, council members did not have a majority vote to approve funding for three full-time employees, but did approve funding for one part-time employee for the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program (YAP). The council deadlocked on the vote for the three full-time employees with a 3-3 vote. Council members Amy Massillamany, Steve Schwartz and Ken Alexander voted in favor. Council members Fred Glenn, Brad Beaver and Rick McKinney voted not to approve. Councilman Jeff Hern was not in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.

YAP Program Director Trisha Akers was asking the council to fund one youth advocate for each of the cities of Westfield, Carmel and Fishers. Those communities currently have only one advocate handling a large case load.

YAP serves as an early intervention advocate for youth ages 3 to 17 who are facing challenging life circumstances.

McKinney

County Councilman Rick McKinney stated, “All in all, the Hamilton County Council’s first day of budget deliberations went extremely well.”

McKinney told the Reporter, “Based on our financial consultant’s estimates, the county tax rate will decrease 1.4 percent with assessed valuation increasing 6.33 percent.”

“Hamilton County government is in a solidly strong financial position today, which will continue through the end of 2020, with a projected combined Rainy Day and General Fund cash balance of nearly $46 million.”

“We have approved the addition of six new full-time and two part-time positions for county government in 2020,” said McKinney.

McKinney did point out two highlights from Tuesday’s meeting:

1. The approval of $835,000 for new and additional voting machines to improve and lessen the time to vote.
2. The County Recorder providing $574,606 from the office’s dedicated document fee fund to pay for her office’s salaries. This was made possible by a state law that includes an annual allowance from this fund, which may be done on a year by year basis. The fund’s current balance is $3.9 million and can only be used for the office’s operations.

The budget hearing resumes at 8:30 a.m. today at the Hamilton County Judicial Center. Council members are expected to discuss the County Highway and Communication Center budgets, along with possible funding of nonprofits.

by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

A celebrity starts school today at Fishers. Ana Gaston begins her senior year as president of Girls Nation, the American Legion Auxiliary annual program for high school students. Gaston was elected last month by delegates from throughout the nation.

Gaston is believed to be the first girl from Hamilton County to be elected president in the 73 year history of Girls Nation. She and delegates from all 50 states enjoyed a week in Washington, D.C., visiting government and historic sites and campaigning for president and vice president in a mock election.

The process, designed to acquaint young Americans with their government, begins with Hoosier Girls State where Gaston was chosen to be one of two representing Indiana at the national conclave.

There is also a Boys State and Boys Nation sponsored by the American Legion. In the mock election in Washington, Gaston (president) and Caroline Couch of Tennessee (vice president) ran successfully on the Federalist Party ticket. The entire delegation was welcomed by Vice President Mike Pence.

Hamilton County also did well at the Girls State gathering earlier when Carolyn Ramsay of Carmel was elected governor.

The National Night Out is a day in August each year when local police departments throughout America meet with the local community.  In Fishers, the celebration was held Tuesday evening at Billericay Park.

The splash park was a big hit with the youngsters, but free food and lots of police officers were also available.

Here are a few photos I snapped at this year’s Fishers National Night Out.

Continue reading National Night Out in Fishers →

As construction on The Yard development near IKEA continues, the Fishers Arts Council has announced a new “call for artists” for the Hyatt Hotel planned for this development.

The Council is in the market for Metal Artist for this project.

The turnaround time is quick with a deadline of 3:00pm, August 23rd.

Here are the details of how to apply:

Continue reading Fishers Arts Council “Call for Artists” →

As teachers and other staff member from the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School System gathered at the Fishers High School Gymnasium to kickoff the new school year, Superintendent Allen Bourff said the the school corporation may top 22,000 students this year, the highest count yet.

The new Southeastern Elementary was projected to be 80% occupied, now it is at capacity with a larger than expected kindergarten class.

Two students were recognized at the staff gathering.  Ana Gaston of Fishers High School was named American Legion Auxiliary Girls President, a national honor.  HSE High School student Salma Mohammad gained national recognition, winning the National Poet Award, Student Ambassador.

Here are more photos from the Tuesday morning event:

Continue reading HSE Schools student count may top 22,000 this school year →

During the summer months, drivers tend to forget the school bus rules of the road once  buses begin to fill our local streets and roads.  Well, Wednesday marks the start of school for the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Corporation.  That means there will be buses filled with youngsters all around our roads every school day.

New laws enacted in the last Indiana legislative session toughen penalties for motorists violating laws related to school buses.  You can review the new law provisions from a WISH-TV story available at this link.

The Fishers Police Department is providing some tips for local motorists as school is set to start once again:

• Be prepared for a longer commute. School buses and teenage drivers will add to the traffic congestion in the mornings and afternoons.

• Expect the unexpected. Watch for slowing or stopped traffic and the possibility of children darting out into the street.

• Be patient and observe the law when approaching or following a school bus.

• Be very aware of intersections where children are waiting for the bus.

• Be mindful of reduced speed limits in designated school zones.

• Police officers will provide increased patrols in neighborhoods and school zones. Officers in marked and unmarked police cars will be enforcing school bus stop arm violations and speeding in school zones.

• Residents should report suspicious activity and dangerous drivers by calling the Hamilton County Dispatch Center at 911 or 317-773-1282.