It’s always a good feeling to return home on Labor Day after a great trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, spending time with my daughter, son-in-law and one-year-old grandson Dakota.  Turning 70 was special on September 3rd, just feeling lucky & thankful to be here with generally good health.

But now that I’m back, I have budgets on my mind.  After watching & listening to the YouTube video of the recent City Council Finance Committee meeting and listening to a city briefing on the budget August 31, I know a lot more about what to expect as the city budget process moves forward.

The mayor is proposing a spending plan for 2022 of $121.64 million with cash reserves for all funds at $41 million.  Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren says this is $10 million more than required under the city’s guidelines for cash reserves, but Mayor Scott Fadness believes the extra money could be a cushion when plans advance in the coming months for a new city hall, arts center and community center, none of which are part of the 2022 budget proposal.

Fadness expects those project plans to be better understand once a group of experts sift through requests for proposals from the private sector.

But the city does plan to hire 3 more uniformed police officers next year, bringing the total of the sworn officers in Fishers to 123.  The city plans to fully staff the new fire station on the northeast side of the city (once constructed) by hiring 8 new firefighters.

City employees (including elected officials) would receive a 4% pay increase in 2022 under the mayor’s proposal.

Fadness is concerned about a 3.6% decrease in Local Income Tax (LIT) funds for 2022, based on numbers provided by the state.  City number crunchers had forecast a 4.1% increase in that tax revenue.  The difference is costing the city $5 million in revenue.  Fadness has asked House Speaker Todd Huston for an explanation as to how the Indiana Department of Revenue came up with the distribution allocation numbers.

HSE Schools will begin their budget process shortly.  Expect an increase in the 2021 budget of $259.25 million when the 2022 plan is revealed.

Ever since the beginnings of this local Fishers news blog in 2012, I have sent the same message to those kind enough to read me.  Budgets are perhaps the biggest decisions local governments make.  It sets the priorities for government in the coming year.  Yet, there is often very little public comment on the budgets during the decision-making process.

The Fishers City Council has a lot to say about the final budget numbers.  The council will conduct a public hearing on the 2022 budget plan.  Take the time to understand the priorities in the city budget and, if you think priorities should be different, this is your chance to have your voice heard.

Bottom line is this….pay attention to budgets.  They decide where your tax dollars are spent.

Hamilton County announced Friday that there will be lane restrictions over the White River Bridge on 116th Street, along the line between Fishers and Carmel.  The lane closures are scheduled to begin on or after September 20th with the work expected to be completed by November 9th.

Below is the full statement from the county highway department:

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Please be advised, beginning on or after Monday, September 20, lane closures will be in effect for 116th Street between River Road and Eller Road for the rehabilitation of Bridge No. 160: 116th Street over the West Fork White River. One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained at all times on 116th Street throughout construction. Lane closures are expected to be lifted by Tuesday, November 9.

In addition, River Drive West will be closed at 116th Street for the first project phase beginning on or after Monday, September 20. Residents are requested to utilize the signalized intersection at 116th Street and River Drive East for the duration of the closure.

Please exercise caution while driving through the construction zone.

The meteorologists say September 1 is the first day of the fall season, but we know there are plenty of good-weather days left for road construction in and around Fishers.

State Road 37 work continues.  The west side of 131st Street has been blocked, but that is expected to change, switching over to a blocked east side of the highway, likely beginning late in September.

For what is happening now, here is the road construction update, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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STATE ROAD 37 AND 146TH STREET
All left-turn lanes are currently restricted on SR 37 and on 146th Street with traffic moved to the interior lanes. Thru traffic and right turns on SR 37 and 146th Street will remain open. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes for all left turn access. View an alternate route map here.

STATE ROAD 37 AND 131ST / 135TH STREETS
The westside of 131st Street at SR 37 is currently closed as work progresses on the interchange. SR 37 will remain open both north and southbound. SR 37 southbound left and right turns onto 131st Street will be restricted. Westbound left turns onto SR 37 will also be restricted on 131st Street. View the detour map here.

The Northbound SR 37 right turn lane onto 135th Street is currently closed from 131st Street to approximately halfway to 135th Street for Phase 1 construction. This portion of the dedicated turn lane will not reopen to regular capacity until the interchange is complete.

Please drive with caution through this area. To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com.

116th Street in downtown Fishers has fully opened to four lanes of traffic after the completion of the Nickel Plate Trail tunnel. Upon completion of the Nickel Plate Trail, slated for Spring 2022, pedestrians will access the trail via the tunnel to provide safe passage beneath 116th Street. Construction in the area related to the downtown development projects will impact the roadway at various times in August and September.

NICKEL PLATE TRAIL
Paving of the northern portion of the Nickel Plate Trail is currently taking place, beginning at 131st Street and moving north of 146th Street over the coming weeks. The project is anticipated to take approximately six weeks to complete, pending weather delays. A speed table (roadway crossing) and pedestrian warning signal for motorists will be installed at 141st Street during this construction. Until paving is complete, this northern portion of the railbed remains closed and no trespassing is permitted. The northern portion is anticipated to be open for pedestrian use by the end of October.

106TH STREET 
On Tuesday, September 7 and Wednesday, September 8, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., 106th Street will have lane restrictions in place between Mollenkopf Road and Hoosier Road for storm work. Flaggers will be in place to direct traffic.

ADA ramp and curb reconstruction has started as part of the 2021 Resurfacing Project. After ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is completed, those areas will be restored with topsoil and seed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to water the seed for the seed to germinate. Prior to road resurfacing, residents will be notified via street signage for street parking restrictions.

My brother Tom is 2 years younger than me.  He called on September 3rd to remind me that a number is just that – a number.

Tom & I grew up together and he has a couple of years to go, but September 3rd, 2021 does represent a number – it is the day I turn 70 years of age.

Reflecting on that number brings so much into my mind I cannot express all of it here, but let’s look at some of the major thoughts.

We do not choose our families, but I hit the jackpot with mine, with a pair of wonderful parents.  My mom is still around at age 91 and I treasure every day with her.  My dad has been gone for 27 years but taught me so much that remains with me today.

I am the oldest of 6.  I am so proud of all 5 siblings.  They are special people.  My extended family is also important to me.  So, I may not be wealthy in some ways, but very rich in others.

My wife Jane has been by my side for 30 years.  No father anywhere can be more proud of his daughters as I am of twins Allison and Mary.  They have grown up to be outstanding young women.

I have made so many friends through my work in radio broadcasting and the federal government.  There is no way I could name you all here, but you know who you are and I have not forgotten any of you.

Facebook is something that is good and not so good at the same time.  But it does provide a way for people to wish others a happy birthday, and I have a long list of well-wishers on this September 3, 2021.  I cannot reply to everyone wishing me a happy birthday, but do try to add a like to each one just to let you know I saw and read your message.

So, there is a lot to look back upon over 70 years.  The many people I have known and so much I have been able to achieve.  I feel extremely fortunate to be in relatively good health for a guy my age.

The past nearly 10 years has been my volunteer effort as a local Fishers news blogger.   I’ve tried to quit at least twice, but circumstances always draw me back into the fray.  We have a special community here in Fishers and it will stay that way only if we, as the citizens of this city, pull together to keep it special.

Thanks for reading this blog and listening to my podcasts.  I’m looking back over 70 years and have no idea what the future looks like – but for as long as I am able, I’ll be writing about it here.

Fishers may have been a bit of a sleepy suburb in 1991 when I arrived, but no one can say that in 2021.

The City of Fishers is reminding everyone of the many events set, kicking-off September with the annual Blues Fest at the Amphitheater September 3 & 4.

Don’t forget the rescheduled concert with the Spin Doctors October 1st (OK, it is one day after September).

Of course, Fishers plans a special commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of September 11th.

For more, check this listing below, as provided by the City of Fishers:

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• Fishers Blues Fest
  • Friday, Sept. 3 & Saturday, Sept. 4 | NPD AMP | 5 – 10 PM
• Fishers Farmers’ Market
  • Every Saturday through Sept. | NPD AMP | 8 AM – Noon 
• Purple Veins – The Essential Prince Tribute Band
  • Friday, Sept. 10 | NPD AMP | 8 – 10 PM
• September 11 20th Anniversary Commemoration
  • Saturday, Sept. 11 | NPD AMP | 8 AM – 8 PM 
  • Register for the Run to Remember 5K
• Fishers Arts Council and Fishers Parks & Recreation Foundation’s Harvest Fest
  • Saturday, Sept. 12 | Heritage Park | Noon – 7 PM
• Maker Playground: Family Night
  • Saturday, Sept. 25 | Maker Playground | 5 – 7 PM
• Spin Doctors
  • Friday, Oct. 1 | NPD AMP | 8 – 10 PM