It has been a very lively last few days in Hamilton County Republican politics.  For those of you that may not have been following this, here’s what I know.

Pete Emigh said in November he would resign as party chairman after 8 years in that post. On November 30th of 2015, there were a number of vacancies in the ranks of Hamilton County Precinct Committee people and Vice-Committee people.  Emigh chose to appoint individuals to fill those vacancies.  It’s estimated Emigh appointed roughly 70 people to these open positions.

As Vice Chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party, Laura Campbell assumed the post of acting county chair until a caucus can be held to elect a new county party chairman.  Based on a letter (or e-mail) sent to the Indiana State Republican Party Chairman Jeff Cardwell by Campbell, the November 30th appointees were removed. Campbell argued she used her authority as acting party chairman.  In the letter, which began circulating over the Internet earlier this week, Campbell wrote Emigh was trying to “stack the deck” in favor of Fishers City Council President Pete Peterson.  Campbell and Peterson are the only candidates to succeed Emigh as county chair.  Campbell clearly viewed Emigh’s appointments as those likely to vote for Peterson in the caucus proceedings.

Among the precinct committeemen removed from an appointment were Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness and his wife Aunna.  In a letter dated January 24th, Mayor Fadness asked that the state party reinstate the roughly 70 fired appointees, asserting that party rules are to freeze the caucus voters 30 days before an election.  Fadness also asked the state party to take control of the caucus voting process.

The state party has now reinstated the precinct officials fired by Campbell and will assume control of the caucus election to select a new Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Saturday morning.  The only candidates for the chairman job will be Campbell and Peterson.  The caucus voters will consist of precinct committeemen and vice precinct committeemen.  A majority of those eligible voters present at the caucus will be enough to win the chairmanship.

It is not unusual to see this type of turmoil when one party has so much control over a county’s political process.  Most of the political debates and strife happen within the party in power if the other party is rarely, if ever, even competitive electorally.

Laura Campbell clearly feels Pete Emigh stacked the deck in favoring Pete Peterson to assume the post of county chairman.  Pete Peterson insists he has no quarrel with anyone and just wants to contribute to the well-being of those living in Hamilton County.

The biggest loser in all this strife is Governor Mike Pence.  He is likely in for a tough re-election campaign.  If Hamilton County doesn’t turn out the Mike Pence voters in November, Pence will have a much tougher road to a re-election victory.

Wouldn’t it be ironic if internal arguments within the Hamilton County Republican Party helped elect Democrat John Gregg as governor?  How often would Governor John Gregg turn to Hamilton County Republicans for advice?

After a false start in July of 2015, the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board has now acted on a recommendation from Superintendent Allen Bourff to conduct a tax referendum to be placed on the May 3rd primary election ballot.  The school board was ready to place the referendum on the November, 2015 election cycle, but chose to wait and allow school officials to conduct a months-long “listening tour” to gauge public views.

Now that the board had unanimously voted to move ahead with the vote, let’s take a look at what voters will be deciding less then 4 months from now.

TAX INCREASE

Based on data provided by school administrators, here’s what a homeowner would face in extra taxes if the referendum is voted-in:

–For a home valued at $100,000, expect an annual property tax hike for $41.76

–If your home is valued at $250,000, your estimated annual property tax increase would be $166.07

–For a home valued at $500,000, it is estimated you will see an increase of $373 in your yearly property tax bill.

In 2009, an operating expense referendum, like the one coming up on May 3rd, increased property tax bills by 10 cents per $100 of a assessed valuation.  The proposed referendum would keep that rate and add 12.75 cents, for a total referendum rate of 22.75 cents per $100 of property valuation.

HSE School Needs

Superintendent Bourff listed a number of needs that give rise to his argument that more tax funds are needed.  Here are some of them:

–CLASS SIZE….The size of classes has been rising in recent years as HSE Schools have dealt with budget shortfalls.  Dr. Bourff wants to reverse that trend in grades K-6.  His goal is to reduce the number of students by 2-3 in each classroom.  This would reverse a trend of rising classroom sizes.  If the referendum is approved, administrators would immediately get to work on hiring more staff to reduce the number of students in each classroom in grades K-6.  Dr. Bourff is willing to use those trailers, or mobile classrooms, as the school corporation looks at adding additional building space, in order to reduce the student-teacher ratios immediately.

–COMPETITIVE SALARIES….HSE is in the bottom third of the salary scale for suburban school districts in our area, both for beginning and the most experienced educators.  Dr. Bourff says approving the referendum will allow our school system to be more competitive in attracting and retaining good teachers.

–FEE RELIEF FOR PARENTS….When HSE was in a cost-cutting mode recently, a
“pay-to-play” structure was instituted requiring fees to be paid for student participation in athletics and other school programs.  If the referendum is approved, Dr. Bourff told the board those fees will be phased out and eliminated.

–WORLD CLASS LANGAUAGES….With competition around the world now commonplace, Dr, Bourff is proposing to use some of the referendum funds to institute more language programs.

Here are some other needs listed by Dr. Bourff…

–Additional Resources for Professional Development

–Additional Resources for Programming

–Administrative Support for Large Elementary Schools

–Upgrades to Building Technology Infrastructure and Computer Stations

What about the extra money approved in last year’s legislative session?

With the help of many local legislators, and a push from local elected officials such as Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, Indiana lawmakers did lower the gap HSE Schools has seen compared to the rest of the state, but even with that extra money, HSE is still behind most Indiana school districts.

With the added money from the General Assembly, the state provides $5,175.64 per HSE student in the current school year.  The state average is $5,877.49 per student, leaving a gap of over $700 per student for HSE.  If the referendum is approved by the voters in May, the combination of state funding and the added referendum money would increase per student spending to $5,926.36, placing HSE $48.87 above the state average in per-student financial support.

Referendum Wording

The exact language to appear on the May 3rd referendum ballot has not been officially approved by the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, but here is what the school corporation is proposing (and expecting to get state approval)…

“For the seven (7) calendar years immediately following the holding of the referendum, shall the Hamilton Southeastern Schools impose a property tax rate that does not exceed twenty-two and three quarters cents ($0.2275) on each one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation and that is in addition to all other property taxes imposed by the school corporation for the purpose of funding daily educational operations, academic and support programs, including the reduction in class sizes, and for any other educational needs of the school corporation?”

What happens next?

The campaign begins.  School staff received instructions from school attorney David Day about state law restrictions concerning campaigning on school grounds and using school property during work time advocating for the referendum.  A Political Action Committee (PAC) has been formed to advocate in favor of passing the tax referendum, named “Advance HSE.”  You can access their Web site at this link.

It is not known whether any organized groups plan to oppose the referendum.  If LarryInFishers sees any, we will let you know.

Bottom Line

HSE School Superintendent Dr. Allen Bourff made his case before the school board and the public on hand for the January 25th school board meeting.  The board unanimously approved the referendum as proposed by school administrators.  The next step is the campaign.  We will get our final answer on May 3rd when the votes are counted.  At LarryInFishers, we will be following the story up to (and including) election day when the votes are counted.

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.

You can read Lindsey’s story at this link.

I look back on 2015 and how becoming a city has impacted Fishers in my latest Current in Fishers commentary… read the commentary at this link

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 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:

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….

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FALL CREEK TRAIL

Tree clearing continues along Fall Creek Road between 96^th 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 116^th 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.

96^th STREET

Beginning on Friday, Jan. 22, eastbound 96^th 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.

106^TH 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.

116^th STREET

The eastbound lane of 116^th 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.