The Fishers City Council on Monday night formally approved the city’s 2026 budget, totaling $203.6 million across operating, capital, and debt service funds. The spending plan passed unanimously, 7–0, with Councilors Pete Peterson and Cecilia Coble absent.

Mayor Scott Fadness first outlined the details of the proposed budget during the Council’s September session. On Monday, City Controller Lisa Bradford presented the plan for final approval.

Finance Committee Chair John Weingardt described this year’s budget preparation as particularly extensive. “It was a long process. It took months,” he said, adding that “any city in Indiana would love to have our (2026) budget.”

Fishers benefited from recent state legislative changes that allow the city to receive a larger share of revenue from the local option income tax than in prior years. Going forward, cities in Indiana will also have greater authority to set their own local income tax rates within state-established limits.

Other Council Actions

• Lift-Assist Fees for Care Facilities:
  The Council approved an ordinance allowing the Fishers Fire and Emergency Services Department to charge a $1,000 fee to certain care facilities beginning in 2026, after the second non-emergency lift-assist call in a calendar year.
  The department has worked with nursing homes and assisted living facilities to clarify when non-emergency calls should be handled through other means, but the number of such calls has continued to rise. The new fee is intended to help offset the cost of repeated non-emergency responses.

• Car Condominium Definition:
  Council members also held a first reading on proposed amendments to the city’s zoning ordinance. One change would formally define a “Car Condominium” as a facility for long-term vehicle storage, maintenance, and related uses such as workshops or lounges for vehicle enthusiasts. A final vote on the proposal is expected in November.

• Meeting Schedule Adjustment:
  Monday’s meeting was held earlier in the month than usual due to next week’s fall break for Hamilton Southeastern Schools.

The Fishers Police Department is urging parents to talk with their children about safe riding practices following a rise in unsafe and disruptive use of e-bikes, dirt bikes, and motorized scooters by juveniles on city streets and trails.

In a social media m statement released Monday, police said they have received multiple reports of young riders creating safety hazards and disturbances in public spaces. Among the issues reported are kids blocking and riding in traffic, operating on private property, riding recklessly without helmets, damaging property, and showing disrespect toward pedestrians.

Officers have also encountered juveniles riding in large groups that block trails for other users and, in some cases, fleeing from officers attempting to make contact.

Police said that when officers respond to such incidents, parents or guardians will be notified, and in some cases, the bike may be held until an adult retrieves it. The department also announced it is increasing patrols on and around Fishers’ trail network to address the issue.

“We want every child in Fishers to have fun outdoors, but safety must come first,” the department said in its statement. “Unsafe and disorderly behavior will not be tolerated.”

Officials encouraged parents to ensure their children understand safe riding rules and to stay aware of where and how they are using e-bikes and scooters.

“Together, we can keep Fishers safe for everyone,” the statement concluded.

The Indianapolis Recorder is a key part of Indiana history and the story of how African Americans fit into the patchwork we know as Central Indiana. It began as a two-page church directory in 1895. By 1899, the paper had grown to a circulation of more than 20,000 and expanded to eight pages in 1912.

For many years, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, Indianapolis media didn’t pay much attention to what was happening in Black neighborhoods unless there was a crime story. If you wanted that news, the Recorder was the only place in Indianapolis to find it.

Even with today’s struggles in print newspaper media, the Indianapolis Recorder has remained a solid source of news in the local African American community. The circulation continues to be in the thousands.

I recently found an article online in the Recorder about the completion of a new project from Conner Prairie in Fishers. The exhibit is called “Promised Land as Proving Ground.” Reporter Chloe McGowen does a nice job of describing it all in a well-written piece.

I would encourage anyone with an interest in local history to read this story.  It is available at this link . (It appears there is no paywall)

We may be into the month of October and the fall season is here, but road construction activity in and around Fishers continues to be busy.

Below is the latest update, as provided by the City of Fishers:

Continue reading Road construction update for the work week starting Monday, October 6 →

The Fishers Event Center is introducing an expanded lineup of food and beverage options this fall as it prepares for the Indy Fuel hockey team’s home opener on October 17.

Venue officials say the new menu emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, a wider variety of choices, and an experience that goes beyond typical arena concessions. Options range from grab-and-go snacks to chef-driven dishes, with vegetarian, vegan, and premium selections available.

Among the highlights are a smoked BBQ pork chop sandwich featuring Fischer Farms pork, hot honey chicken and waffle sandwiches, Philly cheesesteak eggrolls from local vendor It’s Those Eggrolls, and a nacho station with house-made barbacoa beef. Vegetarian and vegan additions include a spiced chickpea Caesar salad from Leo’s Market and a portabella mushroom burger with garlic vegan aioli.

On the premium side, fans will find a ramen action station, a full BBQ platter, buffalo cauliflower, and a trio of hot dips. For dessert, cupcakes from Indianapolis’ The Flying Cupcake will be available in several rotating flavors. Returning favorites such as the FEC Double Smash Burger and the Hoosier Pork Tenderloin will remain on the menu.

The culinary program is led by Director of Food and Beverage Josh Vaught, who has more than 25 years of experience in the Indianapolis food industry, and Executive Chef Casey Thomas, with nearly two decades of work spanning fast food to fine dining.

In addition to its new offerings, the Fishers Event Center says it remains committed to sustainability and supporting Indiana-based vendors. The venue partners with farms and small businesses including Fischer Farms, Old Major Market, Ohanalulu, Scoop Shack, and Do Goodies. Its sustainability measures include the use of aluminum cups, reusable cocktail cups, and compostable serving products made from plant fibers and palm leaves. The arena also uses high-oleic soybean oil supplied by Indiana farmers through the Indiana Soybean Alliance.

The Fishers Event Center opened earlier this year and will host concerts, family shows, and sporting events, with the Indy Fuel set to make their season debut there October 17.

The Hamilton County Highway Department announced Thursday afternoon (10/2) that motorists should be on the lookout for ramp closures at 146th Street & Allisonville Road.  Below is the full statement issued by county officials:

Please be advised, beginning on or after Friday, October 3, 2025, between the hours of 9AM to 3PM, drivers should expect intermittent ramp closures and additional traffic restrictions around the roundabout for concrete wall coating application.

Please use extreme caution and follow the posted work zone speed limit while driving through this construction zone.

Navigating the Storm: Andre Miksha Reflects on Three Turbulent Years on the Hamilton East Public Library Board

After nearly three years of service on the Hamilton East Public Library Board, Andre Miksha is speaking candidly about his experience at the center of one of the most contentious periods in local library history.

Miksha, who was appointed to the library board by a previous HSE School Board president before the board’s majority flipped in the 2022 election, found himself navigating controversies that drew international attention. His tenure was marked by heated debates over book collection policies, particularly regarding which titles belonged in the young adult section versus the adult collection, and ultimately by efforts from the current school board majority to remove him from his position.

In this podcast conversation, Miksha discusses the tumultuous period openly, including the intense scrutiny he faced and the school board’s attempts to remove him—efforts that ceased only when it became clear there were no legal grounds for his removal. He also shares details of a revealing meeting he had with current HSE School Board members Dawn Lang and Ben Orr, in which they discussed his positions on library board issues.

Despite hoping for reappointment, Miksha was not surprised when that opportunity didn’t materialize. His reflections offer a rare insider’s perspective on how local library governance became a flashpoint in broader cultural debates, and what it’s like to serve in an appointed role when the political winds shift dramatically.

Listen as Andre Miksha shares his story of public service during one of the most challenging chapters in Hamilton East Public Library history.

He also touches on other issues, such as the facilities upgrades at both libraries and the possibility of a third library building on Olio Road, near the Noblesville-Fishers city line.

The Central Indiana Regional Development Authority announced Wednesday the start of a comprehensive economic planning initiative aimed at unifying the region’s 31 member communities under a shared development strategy.

The “Catalyze Central Indiana: Strategic Alignment to Ignite Growth” planning process will develop a long-term economic strategy designed to establish a clear economic identity for the region and coordinate resources across public, private, and philanthropic sectors.

“This plan is really going to help solidify Central Indiana as the economic powerhouse of the Midwest that we’ve already known ourselves to be,” said Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen, co-chair of CIRDA. “Central Indiana, an area that has 40% of the state’s GDP, needs to be at the table and also be a major part of the conversation for Indiana’s future when it comes to economic growth and job creation.”

The planning effort will focus exclusively on economic development and positioning the region for global competitiveness. The strategy will be built on an assessment of Central Indiana’s existing assets, including industry sectors, physical infrastructure, and workforce capabilities.

CIRDA has enlisted several organizations to support the planning process, including the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Ginovus, Policy Analytics, the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, and Barnes & Thornburg. Local chambers of commerce and regional philanthropic organizations will also participate.

“This collaboration and vision reflects Central Indiana’s focus on creating a unified strategy that builds on its strengths for future growth,” said Jennifer Messer, executive director of CIRDA.

CIRDA was established through bipartisan state legislation to create greater strategic alignment among the region’s 31 cities, towns, and counties. The authority serves as a unified voice for Central Indiana on regional economic development initiatives.

Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness is one of the founders of CIRDA.

A charity golf tournament honoring the late Tom Greiwe will tee off Monday morning to raise funds for homeless animals in Hamilton County.

The 2nd Annual Tom Greiwe Fall Classic Charity Golf Scramble begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday, October 6, at a local course. Registration for the event has closed, and organizers expect record attendance for the second consecutive year.

The tournament honors Greiwe, who died in July 2023 after battling cancer. Known for his love of family, dogs, and golf, Greiwe’s memory is being preserved through the annual fundraiser that benefits the Humane Society for Hamilton County.

Last year’s inaugural event raised thousands of dollars for the organization. Event organizer Ed Ferris has worked to expand the tournament’s reach since its inception.

“To know that so many animals will be helped in the memory of Tom. We couldn’t be more grateful for the support and for this opportunity to continue Tom’s legacy,” said Emma Nobbe, community engagement manager for the Humane Society for Hamilton County.

The Humane Society for Hamilton County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as both the county’s animal control facility and humane society. The organization receives approximately 15% of its funding from Hamilton County, which covers the first seven days of basic care for animals. Individual donations fund the majority of its annual operating budget.

The organization operates as an open-admission, no-kill shelter, meaning it does not euthanize animals due to time or space constraints, treatable medical conditions, or  behavior issues that can be rehabilitated.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District is facing what Superintendent Patrick Mapes has called “a perfect storm of financial challenges,” as contract negotiations with the district’s teachers remain unsettled.

In a statement released this week, Mapes outlined a series of pressures on the district’s budget, including declining student enrollment, rising insurance premiums, and legislative changes projected to reduce revenue in coming years.

According to Mapes, enrollment declines have already cost HSE more than $172,000 in state tuition support this year, with greater losses possible if the trend continues. Rising healthcare costs are also straining the budget, with insurance premiums expected to increase between 10.5% and 16.8% in 2026.

The superintendent pointed to steps the district has already taken to manage finances, including saving $1.5 million through health insurance reforms, $1.35 million through bond refinancing, and more than $200,000 by tightening audits. But he acknowledged that the district continues to face significant obstacles, including a $9.5 million shortfall that carried over from 2023, new state property tax caps that will cost HSE more than $4.5 million annually starting in 2026, and projected declines in referendum revenue beginning in 2027.

“Even with these efforts, we are still facing mounting pressures,” Mapes said. “This is not a message of despair, but of transparency. We will continue to advocate for funding that reflects the value of your work while making smart financial decisions.”

The Hamilton Southeastern Education Association (HSEA), the union representing district teachers, said the administration’s current contract proposal would leave educators with less take-home pay.

Union leaders say the offer would eliminate step increases tied to years of service, provide no increase in base pay, end additional pay for master’s degrees, and impose what they describe as “a huge increase” in health insurance premiums. Taken together, the union argues, the changes would amount to less take-home pay for teachers.

Under Indiana law, teacher contract negotiations follow a set timeline each fall. Bargaining officially begins in September and must conclude by November 15. If no agreement is reached, the process can move into mediation and then fact-finding, where a neutral party reviews both sides’ financial claims and issues a report. A contract may then be imposed if the two sides remain at an impasse.

HSE is not alone in facing financial stress. School districts across the state are working to balance budgets amid rising costs and legislative changes that affect local revenue. Mapes emphasized that HSE will continue advocating for state funding that better supports teacher compensation.

For now, based on public statements, the union and administration remain far apart.