Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Katy Dowling asked the school board Budget & Finance Committee Tuesday what they are seeking from a contract with Bondry Consulting that she is not already providing.  Ben Orr says he wants to learn more about school finance.

Dowling pointed out that the HSE District already has the highest debt rating possible.  She also voiced concerns that the Vice President of Bondry had done campaign work for a current member of the HSE School Board.

Committee Chair Orr did provide a vote of confidence in Dowling as the meeting was preparing to end.

“I want to say very publicly that I have full faith…in our CFO,” Orr said.  “Katy has been outstanding.”

Dowling also said current numbers indicate a loss of about 231 students in the district compared to September of 2022.  This will mean a loss of state support, because the state provides local school corporations with per-student funding.  Although Dowling reminded committee members there are many variables in computing the revenue loss due to fewer students, Dawn Lang and Orr estimate this will mean a loss of about $1.5 million in state funding.

Orr announced at the beginning of the session that school board member Tiffany Pascoe is stepping down from the Budget & Finance Committee, with a replacement to be named by Board President Lang.  Suzanne Thomas attended the Tuesday afternoon session.

(NOTE:  A previous version of this story stated Dowling said a vice president of Bondry had raised money for a current school board member….Ms. Dowling actually said the Bondry VP had done campaign work for a current school board member.)

Here is the video version of my podcast interview with Natasha Bowen.

Natasha Bowen is the author of a fascinating book, Skin of the Sea, about a mermaid named Simi.  The story is set in the 1400s as the slave trade is beginning on the west coast of Africa.  There is a mermaid in the story the author does not name as a mermaid, but you get the idea as the story moves along.  Her book has been on the New York Times best-seller list and she has another book, Soul of the Deep, a sequel to Skin of the Sea.

Natasha Bowen is coming to Fishers as part of the Books Build Bridges program sponsored by the Hamilton East Library.  She will appear with two other authors Saturday, September 30, 2024, 2:30-4:30pm at the Forum Conference Center in Fishers.

I thank the Hamilton East Library for arranging a podcast interview with Natasha Bowen.  I think you will enjoy my first transatlantic podcast.

As the Fishers City Council meeting was winding down Monday night, Council President John Weingardt asked if there was any unfinished or new business for the Council to consider.  Councilor David Giffel spoke up.  He talked about how high his trash collection bill has become.

Council Member Giffel wants the city to pursue a contract with a trash collection company to lower the costs for city residents.  That immediately brought back memories from 2013.

Giffel was chosen by a caucus of Republican precinct officials to succeed David George upon Mr. George’s decision to resign his council post.  It was David George that had the idea in 2013 to take bids on one trash collector for the city.

The bids were issued and the lowest bidder was Republic, with a plan that would have cost families in Fishers $9-$10 a month to collect the trash each week.  That would have resulted in major savings for most people in Fishers.

Then a public forum was held.  I could not attend so I asked a good friend of mine and a veteran of reporting on local meetings to cover the event.  It packed the old Town Hall council chambers.

The consensus of those at the meeting was this – the city should not tell local residents which trash collection company to use.  Any effort to do so was seen as some sort of government overreach.  The cost savings did not seem important at that meeting.

Scott Fadness, then the Fishers Town Manager, was attacked as a “Communist” by some.  Pete Peterson recalled this as the most aggressive opposition to anything he has experienced on the Town or City Council.

Responding to Councilman Giffel’s remarks Monday night, Mayor Fadness said he would setup a work session to explain the long and extensive process to formulate the bidding process, take bids, take public comment and other legal steps required to award a contract to one trash company.

Councilor Brad DeReamer made clear he is against any effort by the city to contract with one trash collection provider.

As things stand now, Waste Management and Republic are the only two trash collection companies operating in Fishers.

For those Council members that were part of the Town Council in 2013, and for Scott Fadness as Town Manager at that time, there seems to be little interest in trying the process on trash collection again.  But, the mayor at least committed to holding a work session with the council to lay out the process of taking city-wide trash collection bids.

Many cities in our area have trash collection contracts with companies to handle trash duties within their city limits.  There is also the issue of handling Homeowners Associations (HOAs) with contracts already in place with one trash collection firm.

Another added issue relates to recycling and how that would or would not be addressed in any bidding process.  Hamilton County does have a recycling facility in Noblesville near the county fairgrounds available to all county residents, but a recycling option closer to home would be an issue in any city-wide contract.

Will the City of Fishers once again look to enact a city-wide trash collection service contract?  Time will tell.

I have watched more than 10 budget public hearings during my time covering the Fishers Town and City Councils.  Rarely has a member of the public spoken-up during the required public hearing.

There were 3 members of the public that stepped up to the podium and offered their remarks about the city’s 2024 spending plan.  There were comments on the size of the cash reserves and how the money will be spent, whether the city should  be spending money on a program aimed at the local schools and questioning what is happening at Geist Waterfront Park.  There were suggestions on whether the city should take bids on service contracts.  There were compliments on the bike trails proposed but ideas on how the city should develop a transit system.

Councilors Todd Zimmerman and Jocelyn Vare said it is proper to include support for HSE Schools in the city budget as the mayor has proposed.

Now that the public hearing has been held and first reading done on the budget ordinance, a final vote on the 2024 city budget will come in the October meeting.

The city’s Director of Human Resources Ethan Lee presented the salary ordinance for first reading, with a final vote coming next month.  Some new positions are included in the 2024 budget, with some changes in job titles.

A new position of Chief of Staff will be created, with the City Attorney’s job title switched to Corporation Counsel.  The Health Department will add a Deputy Director of Finance & Operations.  A new position will be need as Director of the new Community Center and Membership Manager.  The Department of Public Works will add an Inventory Control Specialist.  There will be an updated position title for the Chief Information Security Officer, with new positions added to the IT operation.  The Police Department will add 1 part-time School Resource Officer.  City employees will receive a 5% raise, including elected officials.

For elected officials, the mayor is slated to receive $6,264.62 bi-weekly ($162,880 a year).  City Councilors will get $934.12 every 2 weeks ($24,287 for the year).  The entire 2024 proposed salary ordinance is available at this link.

In other items before the Council Monday night:

–A Riverfront District Designation received final Council approval, and encompasses a large area of the city based on the state law.  This will free up many more liquor licenses for small restaurants.

–Final approval was provided to Sandstone/Gray Eagle allowing a new restaurant and netting as protection from the golf course.

–There was a swearing-in ceremony for 8 new Fishers Police Officers.

I have written often about the Fishers I found in 1991 when first moving here, where the 1990 census put the town’s population at 7,508.  The 2020 census for the City of Fishers was just under 100,000.

When you live in a place for 32 years, you pick up a lot about the people living here.  I found out something very important about Fishers this year.

My 92-year-old mother passed away in January after living a good, long life.  On September 1st, my youngest brother Tim died at the age of 56.

I realize this blog is centered on Fishers news and that continues to be my main focus.  But every now and then, I ask for your indulgence as readers of this blog to allow me an occasional point of personal privilege.

I did write one piece on this blog each after the deaths of my mom and brother this year.  I was surprised by the response of my readers in this community.

There was an outpouring of messages with thoughts and prayers for my family and myself in our time of grief.  The messages were all wonderful.  Each one was appreciated so much by me.  It has been a part of the grieving process.

I lost count on the number of messages placed on the blog and social media.  I know the number is large.

Fishers has not always been portrayed in a positive light in recent times.  I will not be more specific about that now.  Just keep this in mind – those many kind messages in a time of personal grief tells me what kind of community Fishers has always been and is today.

There are obviously exceptions in a city with about 100,000 residents, but by and large, people living in Fishers are kind and thoughtful  That is one reason why Jane & I decided to remain in Fishers during our retirement years.

Perhaps all of us, regardless of our personal views and politics, should take a step back and enjoy the community we in Fishers call home.  I have done that in recent months, and come out of that analysis smiling.

I live in a special community with special people.  That is the Fishers I know.

I have covered or had some involvement in government budget issues since about 1973.  The numbers involved and the complexities associated with government budgeting can glaze over the eyes of the most involved citizen.

But when governments at any level propose a budget, it is about much more than numbers.  A government spending plan provides an insight into priorities of our elected officials.   We are talking law enforcement, emergency services, streets & roads, health and many other parts of local government that impact your daily life.

The City of Fishers has a budget proposal on the table for 2024 that totals $164 million.  The city’s share of the property tax rate will go down slightly next year.

When you drill down on what is included, I could point out a number of specifics, but allow me to center on one part of Mayor Fadness’ spending plan now before the City Council.  It relates to Carmel.

How so, you may ask?  Fishers city officials convinced state lawmakers to change the formula for distributing local income tax money which Fishers argued gave Carmel an unfair windfall (obviously, Carmel has a different view).  That legislative fix lasts just three years.

Mayor Fadness has taken that extra money from the state’s decision and saved it into the city’s cash reserves.  The mayor says there is about $21 million of that money from Carmel in the cash reserves account, and in 2024, he plans to spend $12 million of that money on specific projects.  They include an innovation fund for local teachers and establishment of a retired teacher group to evaluate and make decisions on which teacher plans will be funded.  There will be money for trail connectivity, an enhanced neighborhood vibrancy program, sidewalk repairs, urban forestry and sidewalk repairs.  There will be new landscaping for medians on city streets so they will not need grass cutting in the future, a safety issue for city crews.

There is more, but here is the point.  In many instances, city leaders are limited in how money can be spent.  Some money is earmarked only for streets and roads and have further limitations under state law.  Other funds coming into city government are limited to a specific use.

This money from the three-year state tax distribution change with Carmel has no such limitation.  The cash reserves can be spent however the mayor and city council decide.

The public hearing on the City of Fishers 2024 budget is scheduled for Monday. September 18, with the meeting starting at 7pm.  The public hearing on the city’s 2024 budget is one of the first agenda items.

If you have specific ideas on how your city should spend the money available, take some time and review the budget at this link.  If you have comments, you can stand before the podium and give city leaders your ideas on how our public money should be spent.

We may be heading into the season of fall but road construction has not let up in and around Fishers.  Be on the lookout for lane closures.  Also, be aware of traffic restrictions for the Geist Half Marathon and 5K coming September 16.

Here is the full listing, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Fishers area road construction for the work week starting Monday, September 18 →

After serving under Planning & Zoning Director Megan Vukusich as her assistant, Ross Hilleary has moved up to the Director’s chair with Megan’s departure.

According to a city news release, Hilleary’s responsibilities will include leading the day-to-day operations and implementation and special initiatives for long-range planning of the city’s parks, trails and greenways efforts and Unified Development Ordinance update.

“Ross has been instrumental in the success of our Planning & Zoning Department, and his efforts are crucial to elevating the quality of life in Fishers,” said Mayor Scott Fadness. “I’m excited to collaborate with him as we continue investing in our community.

Hilleary will continue to lead the team in their efforts to identify gaps and priorities in the City’s trail network and potential funding sources; streamline and update the department’s review processes; educate the public and development community on land use and zoning regulations; and gather local data to assist policy makers and community officials in making informed decisions regarding the City’s future.

I turned 72 years of age September 3rd.  On September 13th, I began to feel my age.

The day started upon arrival at the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District Administration Building on Cumberland Road just before 6:30am.  Local television news crews were already on the scene, many doing live stand-up pieces for their morning news broadcasts.

Monday morning, the district placed a notice on its Web site that there would be a special meeting Wednesday morning at 7am.  The school board has a habit of scheduling work sessions at 7:30am which do not include actions.  This 7am session included action items “to be determined.”  That was very unusual.

Just after 5pm on September 12, the online posting from school officials listed the agenda items.  The board would accept the resignation of Dr. Yvonne Stokes and approve her separation agreement.  Dr. Matt Kegley would be named interim superintendent and paid a  stipend to take on the added responsibility until a new permanent superintendent is chosen.  The board provided no indication of when the search process would begin to replace Dr. Stokes or how it would be conducted.

I was at that event and its aftermath for a while Wednesday morning, went to  my home office to write the first story about it, then changed clothes to attend the State of the City Address at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon.  Then, I went back home to write that story.

There was a City Council Budget & Finance Committee meeting that evening.  It was at that session I began to feel the weight of a busy news day.  I will be writing about the 2023 Fishers city budget later, but allow me to express a few thoughts about our local school district.

As a resident of Fishers for 32 years, I have seen many changes in this place I have called home for so long.  The 1990 census put the population of the Town of Fishers at 7,508.  The 2020 census showed a population for the City of Fishers as just under 100,000.  Fishers has become a much larger and much more diverse place compared to the Fishers I experienced in 1991.  In general, that’s a good thing.

When Dr. Stokes was hired as the local school superintendent in April of 2021 as the first African-American to hold that position, I saw that as a step forward in the maturation of Fishers as a community.  I had a cordial relationship with Dr. Stokes.  She appeared on my podcast series several times and we spoke a few times during her tenure running the HSE Schools.

Any superintendent will make friends and enemies.  Superintendents are decision-makers and some people will like those decisions, and others will not.  I have never encountered a universally-loved superintendent.

One of the biggest remaining questions about Dr. Stokes’ resignation is whether this was genuinely voluntary or was this a “forced resignation,” as community member Stephanie Hunt argued during public comment at the Wednesday board meeting.  Board President Dawn Lang would not answer this question I posed at the post-meeting news conference – was Dr. Stokes told by the board her contract, which runs through the end of June 2024, would not be renewed?  When Indianapolis Star reporter Rachel Fradette asked the same question during her interview with Lang, the board president once again would not answer the question.

Reporter Fradette, in her IndyStar story, wrote that under Indiana state law, the board is not required to disclose such communications between the board and a superintendent.

Having lived in this community for a long time, I speak to many people and many choose to speak with me.  There is no way to officially confirm this, but more than one person in a position to know have told me Dr. Stokes was, in fact, informed by a majority of the current school board her contract would not be renewed.

Was her resignation forced?  There is no way to know that so members of the local community will need to reach their own conclusions.

Was race a factor in all this?  Dawn Lang was adamant in speaking with the media after the meeting, insisting race had nothing to do with this and she and the board have nothing but general praise for the former superintendent. Dr. Stokes co-wrote a statement with Lang which was very positive in tone.

However, Dr. Stokes chose not to appear at the Wednesday morning board meeting.  That says more than any words could express.

Dr. Stokes will receive her full pay through the length of her remaining contract and will retain several benefits through the end of June next year.  She and the board entered into a nondisclosure pact and promise not to sue each other over any of this.

I was out of the meeting room for a time after the session ended, so I only was able to see a part of the impassioned remarks of a local African-American woman, identified by the IndyStar as Norma Johnson.  The 77-year-old made her point clear to the assembled media – she is convinced race was the reason for Dr. Stokes resignation and race was the reason, in Ms. Johnson’s view, Dr. Stokes never was given a fair shake by the current school board.

In Stephanie Hunt’s remarks before the board Wednesday, she said she was speaking on behalf of Black educators at HSE Schools, whom Hunt claims cannot speak out themselves due to “fear of retaliation.”

I do believe there is something positive to say about Wednesday’s board meeting, and that is the designation of Matt Kegley as the interim superintendent.  When I asked Dr. Kegley what his first priority will be in this new role, he raised the issue of the school funding referendum, which will be on the November ballot.  He knows the passage of this referendum is crucial to the future of the HSE School District.

Matt Kegley has a long association with the HSE Schools and will be a person capable of trying to bring stability to the states’ 4th-largest school district, something local teachers’ union President Abby Taylor told the board is badly needed at this time.  Dr. Kegley left open the possibility he could put his hat in the ring for the permanent job once the board decides how to proceed on Dr. Stokes’ replacement.

As Fishers continues to become a more diverse community, what the school board does, and how the local community reacts, will tell us all a lot about where Fishers is headed in the future.  As a local volunteer journalist, I will be watching, even at the age of 72.