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.

The Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Foundation is set to present its fourth annual Game Day fundraiser February 26th, at Conner Prairie.  In the past, the event was tied to watching college basketball tournament games.  This year, the event will celebrate the game.

Game Day 2016 will also feature Joe Reitz, an offensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts and product of the HSE High School football program.  He will serve as honorary chair of Game Day, mingling with the crowd.

Game Day will feature food, entertainment and a silent auction.  Tickets are $65 each and can be bought using this link. ($41.50 of the cost qualifies for a potential tax deduction as a charitable contribution)

All the proceeds go to STEM projects and teacher led initiatives across all 21 schools.  (STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education)

This event has sold out in the past, so it’s a good idea to get your tickets now if you plan on attending.

It appears the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Administration has settled on a specific referendum recommendation to present to the school board for a vote Monday night.  Based on a Web site posting, administrators will present to the board a referendum amount of 22.75 cents per $100 of assessed property tax valuation.  The current referendum is about to expire after 7 years.  It provided a 10 cent increase, so school officials are recommending raising the current rate by 12.75 cents.

The proposed tax increase would mean an additional $17 million for local schools over the next 7 years.

Actual property tax bills are a bit more complicated, since residential homeowners are allowed deductions and the property tax caps can impact different individual taxpayers in various ways.

The board was set to hold the referendum last year, but decided to delay the process in order to hold meetings with school employees and people in the community for feedback. School Superintendent Allen Bourff has told board members on more than one occasion that the most often mentioned comment in these meetings is that the school system should ensure whatever is requested is enough to take care of the school corporation’s needs

In the posting on the HSE Web site, school officials list three goals to be achieved through the extra money gleaned from a referendum:

• Reduce Class Sizes
• Attract and Retain Quality Teachers
• Prepare Students for Global Competition

The school board is expected to vote on the referendum issue at Monday night’s meeting.

Based on the school board decision, voters will resolve the issue in the May 3rd primary election.

If you look at some of the major economic development projects over the past few months, one would get the impression Fishers is making a move to become a destination city.  If so, what does that mean to the look and feel of our community?

The most recent announcement is Topgolf’s intention to construct a venue near 116th Street and Cumberland Road.  I am not a golfer, but those who are assure me this is a very important facility that will draw people from miles around.

In November, the city had a joint news conference with IKEA to announce that the European furniture retailer will be building next to USA Funds and First Internet Bank, near Exit 5 at 116th Street and I-69.  Again, I have never had an IKEA shopping experience , but if the outlets closest to Indy, in Chicago and Cincinnati, are any indication, IKEA will be drawing customers near and far.

Sun King Brewery still has plans to put a major brewing complex north of 96th Street near I-69 in Fishers that the company says will be a “destination” once completed.  The unusual state laws governing distribution of craft beer products has delayed that project, but Sun King has opened a tasting room on 96th Street in Fishers to show its long-term commitment to the local area.

One possible Fishers destination is in limbo for now.  The “Sports Pavilion” planned for the Saxony area of Fishers was announced in April of 2015.  However, the developer has run into problems financing the project.  We will see if that major indoor sports facility show any forward movement in 2016.

Mayor Scott Fadness has described his vision of Fishers as a place that is smart, vibrant and entrepreneurial.  There is no question the mayor is leading the charge to continue bringing destination centers to the city.

There has been push-back from some in Fishers.  Many residents that have lived here for a long time bought their homes because of the school system, their neighbors and the ease of life here.  The continued development is increasing traffic and bringing more people to the area.  Many in Fishers are in favor of the growth strategy.  However, if you attend some public hearings, you will listen to residents who feel Fishers is changing in ways they never imagined when moving here.

I do not see any letup in the steady stream of economic development announcements for Fishers.  City officials tell me in the coming weeks to look for announcements of more employment opportunities.  The “destination” centers do come with some employment, but not a large number of jobs.

Many anticipate the 106th Street interchange on I-69, which will begin construction this year, could draw some office building tenants, and a number of professional jobs with them.  The area around Metropolitan Airport is now the site of possible development, based on a recent agreement between the city and the Indianapolis Airport Authority.  We will see.

In the meantime, there is no question Fishers will have several “destination” developments opening in the next two years.  That will bring more and more people to Fishers.  Is that a good or a bad thing?  It depends on your point of view.

But one thing is certain.  Fishers will continue to grow, in population and commercial activity.  I see no indication it will slow down anytime soon.

TopGolf will receive impact fee waivers totaling about $666,000 after the Fishers City Council unanimously approved the action.  Mayor Scott Fadness told the council he will hold Topgolf to its promises of constructing a quality venue based on artist renderings of the planned facility.  Topgolf is expected to have about 135 full-time employees, with as many as 450 total workers during its peak season.

The council also approved a rezone request from IKEA to allow that project to move forward.

In other actions..

–Council members gave final approval to text amendments for the City’s Unified Development Ordinance, providing Brewery Standards.

–Provided a final okay for a rezone in a portion of property located on the south side of Southeastern Parkway and east of Olio Road, known as the College Park Church property, to allow church construction and for a commercial area nearby.