HAMCO’s Chris Mertens Named CTO of the Year by IBJ, TechPoint

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IT Director Chris Mertens (second from left) with County Commissioners Mark Heirbrandt, Christine Altman and Steve Dillinger.

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Hamilton County Reporter

Hamilton County Director of Information Technology Chris Mertens has been honored by Indianapolis Business Journal and TechPoint as a 2017 CTO of the Year.

The three-year-old CTO of the Year program recognizes chief technology officers because of the role they play in helping their organizations innovate and grow.

IBJ and TechPoint honored a total of 15 chief technology officers Aug. 10 in five categories: Private Companies (Revenue $100 million or Less), Private Companies (Revenue Over $100 million), Not-for-Profit/Government (Revenue $100 million or less), Not-for-Profit/Government (Revenue Over $100 Million) and Public Companies.

Mertens was an honoree in the larger Not-for-Profit/Government category, along with Judd Williams, chief information officer of the NCAA, and Michael Hineline, chief information and technology officer at the Indiana Public Retirement System.

Since joining the county eight years ago, Mertens has transformed the information technology department to better serve Hamilton County residents. He is credited with improving access to online payment options, for example, and making it possible for property owners to receive tax statements via email.

Mertens, 46, has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lincoln University of Missouri and an MBA from William Woods University.

Mass Transit Referendum Unlikely in 2018

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Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

(NOTE:  Commentaries by Fred Swift are posted here through a partnership between The Hamilton County Reporter and LarryInFishers.com)

Public transportation, or mass transit as it is often called, was a major topic of discussion in Hamilton County early last year. A voter referendum was being considered and supporters of extending the Indianapolis Red Line bus route into the county were encouraging it through “public education.”

There was no referendum in Clay and Washington townships, where it was proposed that voters would be asked if they wished to have an increase in their local income tax to partially pay for the bus service to downtown Indianapolis.

Supporters decided the vote would be delayed until 2018.

But now, probably not. Although no final decision has been made, it is likely to be delayed again. County Commissioner Christine Altman said Friday that she does not feel “there is the will to push it” at this time. She feels more education will be needed before the issue goes on the ballot.

Indianapolis is proceeding with the Red Line plans which will see new electric powered buses running through the city as far north as Broad Ripple in the next few years. But the plan is getting opposition from some property owners along College Avenue where special lanes and waiting stations are planned.

Ms. Altman has been a major advocate for mass transit, and the Red Line in particular, which would take the bus route through the Carmel and Westfield areas as far north as Grand Park.

But various local issues, including the fact that next year will be an off-year election, has led her to doubt 2018 would be the best time to go to voters with the tax proposal. That proposal, if approved, would increase the county income tax from its current one percent to one and a quarter percent.

Gas Tax Money Headed to Hamilton County

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by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

The ten cent per gallon increase in the state gas tax got the attention of motorists earlier this year when it went into effect July 1. Now we know the estimated amount of that increase which will be coming back to local units of government for improvement of our streets and roads.

State Rep. Kathy Richardson’s Statehouse office released figures yesterday that show Hamilton County’s cities, towns and county highway department will get more than $8.4 million next year in additional money to build, repair and maintain local roads and streets.

The disbursements will follow a formula that has been used for years for gas tax distribution based on miles of roadways and population of the various jurisdictions.

As one would expect the county highway department, which is responsible for about 650 miles of roadways, will receive the most, estimated at about $2.8 million.

The eight cities and towns in the county will get the remainder of the added money. The breakdown is as follows rounded to the nearest thousand dollars:

Arcadia          $28,000

Atlanta           $17,000

Carmel           $1.82 million

Cicero             $108,000

Fishers           $1.71 million

Noblesville    $1.17 million

Sheridan        $60,000

Westfield       $693,000

The estimates are based on data from past history of gas sales and the number of vehicles registered in the local areas. The anticipated increase in revenue may allow local governing bodies to adjust their 2018 street budgets, adding more for repair or rebuilding.

Firefighters, Equipment Start Returning to Station 92 Saturday

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Mold mitigation efforts have progressed to the point that both fire personnel and equipment will start to move back into Station 92, located on 116th Street, near Brooks School Road, Saturday morning.  They were moved out Wednesday when mold was discovered in the fire station structure.

A Fishers Fire Department news release says Station 92 will be able to make emergency runs beginning Saturday.

Work in the bunk-room will continue for a few more days to replace the damaged walls and air monitoring will continue.  Until that room has been cleared by air sampling, firefighters will remain out of that specific area and it will remain sealed from the rest of the station.  Firefighters will instead place beds in other areas of the station on a temporary basis.

Once the bunk-room is cleared, the ladder company will return as well and normal operations will resume.

“Firefighters appreciate the patience and understanding of our community as this issue is resolved and we look forward to normal operations,” according to the fire department statement.

Talks Continue on Proposed Park on Geist Lake Between Fishers & IMI

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Talks between the City of Fishers and Irving Materials (IMI) continue over plans to buy property along Geist reservoir owned by IMI to construct a new city park.

“I think we remain optimistic that a resolution in the best interests of all parties can be reached,” Economic Development Director Brandon Didkinson told the Fishers Redevelopment Commission Wednesday evening.  “Then there’s a process we’ll go down and a path we’ll go down if it appears we have a mutual misunderstanding of the valuation of the land.”

The path Dickinson refers to is condemnation by the city of the IMI quarry next to Geist. Both sides appear to be making an effort to avoid that process outlined in state law, but there is no agreement yet.

The Redevelopment Commission approved next steps for several economic development projects at its Wednesday session, including The Yard culinary project, the new Knowledge Services headquarters, Central Indiana Orthopedics new building in the Saxony area and the proposed Geist Park.  Several public hearings were held but there were no speakers.

The commission’s job is to review redevelopment proposals for underdeveloped areas within city limits. Commission members also consider authorization of Tax Increment Financing districts.

Ivy Tech Partners With Local Schools Offering Courses To Students

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Hamilton County Reporter

Ivy Tech Community College is partnering with high schools in Hamilton County to offer Career and Technical Education Pathways to students. Participating schools include: Fishers High School, Hamilton Southeastern High School, Eman School, Options Charter School-Noblesville, Options Charter School-Carmel and Westfield High School

Students in the program will attend high school in the morning and take classes at Ivy Tech Hamilton County in Noblesville in the afternoon. Over the course of one year, students can earn 12 to 13 college credits, which count toward a Core 40 or high school Honors Diploma and can be transferred to an associate or bachelor’s degree. Students can also earn industry recognized certifications. The program is free of cost to students.

The Duke Energy Foundation directed a $75,000 grant to Ivy Tech Community College to help create these Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways. The grant is providing scholarships for students in Hamilton County to pursue higher education and training in STEM programs at Ivy Tech. In addition to scholarships, the grant covers the costs of books and supplies, industry certification assessments, career readiness activities, and training for current Ivy Tech and high school STEM teachers in Hamilton County.

“We are grateful to Duke Energy Foundation for partnering with us to support this important initiative in Hamilton County,” said Dr. Kathleen Lee, chancellor of Ivy Tech Central Indiana. “This is another example of how Ivy Tech is making strategic efforts to align with the regional workforce. Through this initiative we are partnering with schools and organizations to prepare students for in-demand jobs in key industries including construction, information technology and advanced manufacturing.”

Specific STEM programs that Ivy Tech will offer these students include Computing and Informatics, Visual Communications and Building Construction Technology. Students start classes at Ivy Tech Hamilton County today, Aug. 10.

Eddie Moore Announces Run For Hamilton County Sheriff

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Eddie Moore

Hamilton County Reporter

A 30 year veteran law enforcement officer, Eddie Moore, officially announced his intention to become a candidate for Hamilton County Sheriff on Wednesday, increasing the field of candidates to four.

A statement from Moore’s campaign team read:

“Eddie Moore, M.Ed. and friends completed paperwork to enter the race for Hamilton County Sheriff. Eddie has been a deputy for the county law enforcement agency since July of 1987 and currently serves as a Lieutenant in the patrol division. His vast experience has been represented not only through time, but also in the variety of positions he has been entrusted. This, combined with his academic studies in organizational leadership, provides him with the leadership perspective other candidates don’t exhibit. This enables him to be able to lead the agency and community in the changes coming and needed to stay ahead of crime and safety issues facing ALL Hamilton County residents, visitors and businesses.”

It is a little unclear what Lieutenant Moore is referring to when saying he has “completed paperwork” to enter the sheriff’s race.  Candidates cannot officially file candidacy for the 2018 primary election until January 10, 2018, at the earliest.  It is possible he has formed an exploratory committee or a committee to run for the office.

Smooth First Day of School in HSE District

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“It’s been a long day but it’s been a great day.”  That’s how Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Superintendent Allen Bourff described the first day of classes in his school district.

Dr. Bourff told school board members Wednesday night that one way to gauge enrollment in the new school year can be measured in no shows and new enrollments.  In the buildings he visited on the first day of school, there were as many new enrollments as there were no shows.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for HSE Schools, Mike Reuter, told the board his data indicated just over 400 new students this school year, with a total of about 100 no shows so far.  The enrollment on the third Friday of September will be turned into the state as the official enrollment figure.

The kindergarten class looks to be at 1,472 pupils.  The senior class for the 2017-2018 school year is at 1,621.  The largest class is the 8th grade this school year.

Reuter told the board enrollment numbers at HSE Schools are beginning to stabilize.

In other school board news, approval was given to negotiate with the architectural firm Fanning-Howey to design plans at New Britton Elementary School, replacing the mechanical, heating, and air conditioning systems, as well as provide updates to the interior spaces bringing the school up to HSE-21 standards.  The work, budgeted at $5.3 million, is scheduled to begin during the summer of 2018 and be finished about a year later.    This project is one component of a ten-year plan to maintain buildings throughout the HSE district.

HSE School Board Member Objects to the Book “Kite Runner” for High School Students

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What at first appeared to be a routine discussion about procedures in approving curriculum in Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools turned into a passionate speech by school board member Amanda Shera.  The center of the controversy was a teacher assigning the book Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini to Shera’s daughter.

The book has been the center of controversy in some parts of the nation because of the author’s fictional depiction of a young boy from Afghanistan enduring the Russian invasion of his country and the later rule of the Taliban.  Reviewers of this book refer to the passages describing scenes of homosexual rape, murder, beatings, and a suicide attempt.

Some parents in localities in certain areas of the country have objected to Kite Runner being on required reading lists.  Many educators argue the book is about complex adult issues and can be taught at the high school level

Shera made clear at Wednesday night’s school board meeting she does not approve of her 16-year-old daughter being required to read Kite Runner.

“I am embarrassed that my child had to read it,” Shera told fellow board members.  “I apologize to my constituents that I did not read it ahead of time.”  Shera added she wants to have “an extra set of eyes” on the required reading book lists.

The school board does not approve required reading book lists, but school administrators establish procedures for such approvals, based on the policy the board passed Wednesday night.