“Prices are climbing, we’re ordering early.”  That was the message from Fishers City Fleet Manager Tabatha Miller to the Board of Public Works and Safety Tuesday morning.  Both rising costs and supply chain issues are impacting equipment the city needs.

The first item before the board was a Medic unit used by the Fishers Fire & Emergency Services Department, replacing a current one.  Miller told the board it will take 12-24 months to take delivery of the unit.  Mayor Scott Fadness remarked that this would place it in the 2023 budget with delivery as late as early 2025.  The board approved the purchase.

Next, the board also approved a fire truck costing just under $691,000 which will not be delivered for 24 to 30 months.  Mayor Fadness raised a concern about financing expense with the timeline drawn-out so far on major equipment purchases.

“If it’s a traditional loan…we’re carrying that money, paying interest on money we’re not using for 2 years or 3 years, upwards of $700,000 to $800,000,” Fadness said.  “We probably need to have a side conversation on how to reduce our carry costs.”

Miller says one manufacture of fire engines is currently 4,000 units behind and all manufacturers of this equipment have a long list of fire engines on back order.

Two leaders from the Fishers Fire & Emergency Services Department have received honors for their work.  Department Chief Steve Orusa was the recipient of the “Presidents Award.”  “EMS Officer of the Year” award went to EMS Division Chief Steve Davison.

Both were recognized at the annual Indiana Emergency Response Conference dinner, held  September 23, 2022, in Indianapolis.

With election campaigning in full swing, the League of Women Votes of Hamilton County is scheduling two early October evenings of candidate forums.

The first will be held Tuesday, October 4, at Carmel City Hall.  This forum will feature candidates for seats in the Indiana General Assembly.  Invited to attend are the following:

Senate District 21 – Democrat Josh Lowry and Republican Jim Buck

Senate District 29 – Democrat JD Ford and Republican Alex Choi

House District 24 – Democrat Joellyn Mayer, Republican Donna Scheibley & Independent Ken Tucker

House District 32 – Democrat Victoria Wilburn and Republican Fred Glynn

House District 39 – Democrat Matt McNally and Republican Gerald Torr

House District 88 – Democrat Donna Griffin and Republican Chris Jeter

The second forum is set for Thursday, October 6, at Noblesville City Hall.  Here are the invited candidates:

Senate District 25 – Democrat Tami Dixon-Tatum and Republican Mike Gaskill

Senate District 31 – Democrat Jocelyn Vare and Republican Kyle Walker

House District 88 – Democrat Donna Griffin and Republican Mike Gaskill

Hamilton County Prosecutor – Democrat Jessica Paxson and Republican Greg Garrison

The League has hosted a forum for 5th District candidates for the seat in the United States House of Representatives in the past, but Federal Election Commission rules do not allow such a forum if only one candidate accepts an invitation to attend.  According to the Hamilton County League, no date could be found when incumbent Congresswoman Victoria Spartz would commit to attending.

“It’s important for voters to interact with candidates before they cast a ballot,” said Lisa Dick, LWVHC president, in a news release. “I used to be one of those people who walked into the voting booth and sometimes felt like I was guessing after I got past the federal and state races. I started attending the forums when I joined the league, which gave me a better sense of who the candidates are beyond their name and party.”

Citizens may attend in person or register in advance on the event calendar at LWVHCIN.org to receive the Zoom link.

For residents who cannot attend the forums or those who want to watch once again, recordings will be available afterward on the LWVHCIN.org website and Vote411.org, the league’s online voter guide.

When Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness unveiled his plan to pay for a $170 million events center, he described ways the city could finance the project.  He explained how  the city’s debt could be reorganized, how revenue generated from the center can be utilized and added one more part of the package – a food and beverage tax of 1% on local restaurant meals.

The mayor asked for a resolution from the city council supporting his plan for funding the events center and it passed by a vote of 8-1.  The Councilor voting no, Jocelyn Vare, indicated she is not necessarily opposed to the tax, she says her no vote stemmed from not having enough time to to evaluate the proposal.

The city has yet to enact this food and beverage tax.  A special City Council meeting has been set for Thursday, October 6, at 5pm.  No agenda has been officially released for that meeting, but it is assumed the council plans a public hearing on the food and beverage tax proposal at that session.  Note that with City Hall set to be demolished and replaced, the special meeting of the council will be held at the Fishers Police Department Training Room.

I have received a variety of reactions to the mayor’s proposal to use the proceeds of a food and beverage tax as part of the plan paying for the events center.  Some have been supportive, many not so supportive.

The Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) has used it’s paper’s editorial for the September 22nd edition to support Fadness’ proposal for a food and beverage tax.

“When a community enters the big leagues of the nation’s suburbs, certain things must happen to serve the growing population and continue to make it an attractive place to live, work and play,” says the opening sentence of the editorial.

IBJ goes on to explain the Fishers District expansion planned for the city.  The editorial reviews plans for the new Andretti Motorsports headquarters and the Italian firm Stevanato’s plan to be a part of a growing Fishers.

“To keep these kinds of investments coming, Fishers officials know they must increase the city’s amenities.  A 1% food and beverage tax seems a small price to pay to help make that happen,” states IBJ in the last sentence of the editorial.

Fadness has emphasized to me in many conversations that his goal is to finance this project, a new Arts & City Hall complex and a new community center that is expected to be announced soon, with no increase in the city’s part of the local property tax rate.  He never closed the door on a food and beverage tax.

I have seen data saying a food and beverage tax in a place like Fishers would be paid by out-of-towners about 50% of the time.  Of course, that also means locals would be paying this tax about 50% of the time as well.

Although the City Council resolution indicates strong support for the food and beverage tax, there will be a public hearing on the issue.  No matter what your point of view may be, the public hearing is your chance to let the city councilors know your opinion.

For full disclosure, I have done some limited writing for the IBJ in the past and did write regularly for an opinion online blog that is no longer published.  I have had no writing relationship with IBJ for some time.  Also, I am personally taking no position on the food and beverage tax issue.

You can read the full IBJ editorial at this link.  (NOTE: If your are not an IBJ subscriber, your access to their online content may be limited)

Life can be hard for first-generation Americans.  Kelly Yang’s family entered this country from China and found hardship at first.  Ms. Yang took that experience and wrote a fiction book, Front Desk, all about a ten-year old girl spending time at the front desk of a Southern California motel managed by her parents.

Ms. Yang appeared at the Hamilton East Public Library Saturday September 23rd for a speaking engagement.  I had the opportunity to talk with Ms. Yang for a mini-podcast of about 15 minutes.  I enjoyed our conversation.  You may listen at the link below.

There is nothing like a murder mystery to grab a theatre-goers attention.  The local Belfry Theatre explores this genre in Rehearsal for Murder.  Here is my review.

Look for a number of lane restrictions and other traffic issues in the coming week.

Here is the weekly road construction update, as provided by the City of Fishers, for the work week beginning Monday, September 26th:

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STATE ROAD 37 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

STATE ROAD 37 AND 135TH STREET
135th Street, west of SR 37, is currently closed as work progresses on the project. During this phase, southbound traffic no longer has access to 135th Street, west of SR 37 and does allow right in/right out access for Northbound traffic at 135th Street.  


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.

96TH STREET
Daily lane restrictions are currently in place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on 96th Street between Allisonville Road and Masters Road for the installation of small cell structures.  

116TH STREET
On Monday, September 26, the westbound inside lane of 116th Street between Hoosier Road and Cumberland Road will be closed between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to allow DPW to make concrete repairs.

On Monday, September 26, traffic signal maintenance will be taking place on the signal at 116th Street & Commercial Drive. Use caution driving through this area.

On Tuesday, September 27, road approach work will be taking place at Fishers Center Drive on the north side of 116th Street between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be intermittent lane restrictions of traffic entering Fishers Center Drive from 116th Street and of traffic exiting Fishers Center Drive onto 116th Street. Flaggers will be in place. 

ADA ramp and curb reconstruction is currently taking place in Cottingham Estates, Geist Overlook and Hamilton Proper as part of the 2022 Resurfacing Project. Homeowners will be notified via door hangers prior to any curb reconstruction near their home. 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.

As Fishers celebrates its 150 year birthday (sesquicentennial), an local event that is 200 years old will be observed – The Great Squirrel Stampede.  It may seen odd to those of us today, but the squirrel stampede reeked havoc at the time.

The Fishers Farmers Market on September 24th, 8am-12noon, will feature a 4-hole mini-golf layout commemorating the squirrel stampede.

The free course takes players along on the journey that hundreds of thousands of squirrels made in 1822 when they invaded Hamilton County as they migrated south, trampling crops and causing mass destruction along the way. Players will scurry with the squirrels at each hole as they cross the historic farmland of Hamilton County, through cornfields and into the waters of the White River as they navigate the path south.

Squirrel Stampede Mini Golf is part of Fishers’ yearlong Sesquicentennial celebration, which kicked off in June and runs through June 2023. There are opportunities for residents of all ages and interests to participate in the 150th birthday celebration, including a self-guided tour of the city’s history, culture, and community favorites along the Fishers Sesquicentennial Trail; a community time capsule in partnership with Fishers Magazine; a blog post and podcast series highlighting local history; Sesquicentennial-themed apparel; and more. Visit ThisIsFishers.com/Fishers150 to learn more.

After its debut at the Fishers Farmers Market this weekend, the course will travel around Fishers throughout the city’s Sesquicentennial celebration through June 2023. Next up, the squirrels will visit the Fishers Agripark Fall Festival in October. To stay up to date on the squirrels’ next stop, visit ThisIsFishers.com/SquirrelGolf.

I have covered Scott Fadness since 2012, when he was Fishers Town Manager and an employee of the (then) Town Council.  He chose to run for mayor when Fishers became a city and has been the only mayor Fishers has ever had.

I had been watching the past few weeks as Fadness began the build-up for a major economic development announcement he said would add up to a $1.1 billion investment in the city. My first thought was this – the mayor had better deliver after building up the anticipation.

Let’s just say he did.  What Fishers is seeing now is an explosion of commercial growth.  In my time covering Scott Fadness, he doesn’t always show emotions if you watch him in public, but his chest must have been bursting with pride at last Monday night’s City Council meeting.

First, Marissa Andretti talked about the new $200 million headquarters for the Andretti racing team planned for Metropolitan Airport in Fishers, near Richey Woods.  The Andretti family made clear they chose this site partly because of its proximity to Richey Woods and the Andretti family plans to enhance the wildlife there.  This Andretti complex coming to Fishers will not only be the center of all the racing series Andretti enters, there will be a museum and restaurants.  If Michael Andretti is successful in landing a Formula 1 team, that operation will be headquartered at the Fishers facility.

Then, it was Stevanato’s turn at the podium.  The Italian life sciences firm already has a facility planned in Fishers, but recently announced an expansion of the original plans, doubling the number of employees through the year 2031, with a 550 square foot facility and a total of $512 million invested in the Fishers operation.

Last, but certainly not least, is the Fishers District II planned by Thompson Thrift.  This will include retail, restaurants, office space and residential.  This development will be an $800 million project.  The developments mentioned so far are private sector developments where the city will be offering Tax Increment Financing (TIF) incentives, along with some city fee abatement relief.

A large public project will be the $170 million, 8,500 seat events center, also called an arena.  Some events, like hockey and basketball games, will seat about 6,500.  Mayor Fadness detailed a plan to restructure some debt and use revenue generated by the events center to pay for it.

But the mayor needs another source of funds to pay for the arena, the food and beverage tax.  Even though the city’s share of the property tax rate is expected to go down a bit next year, the mayor says an additional 1% levy on restaurant meals will be needed to finance this project.  Communities surrounding Fishers already have this tax.  State law is providing Fishers a two-year window to enact this tax, which began July 1 of this year.

Jim Hallett, owner of the Indy Fuel minor league hockey team, talked about having the events center as the home for his team.  The Fuel would have 30-35 home games per year, possibly more if the Fuel make the playoffs.  One interesting story about the Fuel…Mr. Hallett received permission from the league to keep two Russian players in the United States this off-season, so the men would not go back to Russia and be subject to fighting in the Ukraine war.

In 2013, the state gave the (then) Fishers Town Council authority to approve the food and beverage tax, but there were limits on how to use the revenue, mostly for economic development projects.  There were no such projects in 2013, so the town council tabled the measure and never brought it up again.  That authority under state law expired at the end of 2013.

A resolution of the council’s intention to approve the arena financing plan passed, with the lone no vote cast by Councilor Jocelyn Vare.  She said she is not necessarily against the food and beverage tax, she just needs more time to sort through the issues related to the tax.

Fishers City Council meetings normally start at 7pm, but last Monday the agenda was so long and complex the meeting began at 5:30 so everyone could return home at a decent hour.

One last comment.  Scott Fadness, after one of his most important council meetings, organized himself, staff members and a few council members to take down the chairs at the Huston Theater in Launch Fishers after the crowd was mostly gone.  With a new Arts & City Hall about to be constructed, the city is using Launch Fishers for City Council sessions at least through spring of 2024.

I saw all this activity and figured it was time for me to leave.  Not sure how much a 71-year-old volunteer journalist could help without just getting in the way.

Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board candidate Edward Gedeon says he does not plan to actively campaign for the District 1 seat and instead has decided to support another candidate, Jackie Howell.

Mr. Gedeon will be one of four candidates listed on the election ballot in the District 1 election for the HSE board.  The deadline has passed to remove a name from the November ballot.

In a telephone conversation with LarryInFishers Wednesday morning, Mr. Gedeon said he had spoken with Ms. Howell and made the decision to support her in District 1.

Four HSE School Board seats are up for election in this general election, with voters casting a ballot only for a candidate within the district where the voter resides.  There are now three active candidates in District 1 – Ms. Howell, incumbent board member Brad Boyer and Tiffany Pascoe.

Election day is November 8.