There is only one competitive race in this primary election. It's for Fishers Clerk in the Republican Primary. The Clerk the Republican elect in this race will face Democrat Janet Pritchett in November.

What is the purpose of our Clerk? (Click) In May 2nd primary election, I encourage you to vote for Jennifer. Why?

Integrity - I have always found Jennifer Honest, trustworthy, and reliable. She has no hidden agenda.

Attention to detail - She has made sure documents are correctly completed.

Flexibility - Jennifer knows how to handle Fishers' changing demands.

Organizational skills - She was once the director of our Fishers Freedom Festival.

Anyone who knows Jennifer knows she is thorough and friendly. *Photo by The Towne Post

Property Update on the NW corner of 106th and Hague Road - I noticed some workers at the house, so I stopped in to get an update. The worker said he was making improvements to the interior. The County notified the owner on February 23, 2023, and sent a legal notification that if the lot is not corrected, the County may hire a contractor and bill the owner.

Property taxes are calculated in the "rears." The assessed values (AV) reflect what happened in 2021. As you can see from the chart below, 2022 AV was a most unusual year above the trendline. The gross property value in Fishers is about $15.5 billion, and the below chart shows net values after deductions. Home Values again increased in 2022. The prediction for AV in 2024 is that assessments will be up again by as much as 6% over this year.

Our debt payments are higher. We decided to fund amenities such as Geist Waterfront Park, Our new Arts & Municipal Center, Community & Rec Center, and several road improvements.

You might hear rhetoric about some business incentives are the reason. These are in our Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Allocation Areas. These have very little impact on your property taxes.

We cannot lower some of our funds called levy limited. These property tax levies are connected to the Local Income tax (LIT) we receive. Taxable LIT goes into one big pot for the County, Cities, Townships, and Library to split. The formula is tied to the previous levy year. A lower levy by Fishers, while other taxing authorities set an increased or flat rate, will result in more Fishers citizen taxable income going out of the City.

I believe Fishers is already subsidizing Carmel and others. Additionally, If the state does not pass a law for a "make-up" this year, the City will receive about $6.3 million less in the LIT in 2024, while Carmel and others would receive this distribution. The City's internal cash reserve policy states that at least 50 percent of next year's projected property tax revenue will be kept as a reserve to protect the City's finances.

The LIT distribution formula is systematically broken.

We have been in a progressive tax ideology in America forever. Unfortunately, our LIT situation is not following this ideology.

Fishers is a donor Community to all of Hamilton County.

Chicken N Pickle announced will build near the Event Center.

Kroger on 116th and Allisonville will build a new store on the NE side replacing the old store.

County Commissioner Mark Hierbrant told me that Allisonville Road at 146th will be closed for a couple of months sometime in the near future.

The County drainage board wants to charge the RJ Craig Shed fee of $45 annually. There is a hearing on R. J. Craig Drain on April 24, 2023, at 9:00 A.M. at County Judicial Center, One Hamilton County Square, Noblesville, Indiana, if you wish to attend. Please send a letter if you want to challenge this fee by Thursday, 4/20. There is no project mention for this increase, just future maintenance. I have requested the board to wait, given the high increases in property tax this year. Neighborhoods in the shed are Timber Springs, Berkley Grove, Summerfield, Fishers Point Townhomes and Enclave, Delaware Pointe, and Delaware Crossing.

2023 Elections - I have announced my candidacy to run for the city council next year. It would be my privilege to serve the community representing the Southwest District. I value everyone who has contributed to my decisions in 2022, and I promise to remember that YOU living in this district are the boss.

THE PUBLIC MAY STREAM THE MEETING BY GOING TO: http://tinyurl.com/CityOfFishers

https://townoffishers.formstack.com/forms/public_meeting_comment_form.

DIRECTIONS:   Launch Fishers, 12175 Visionary Way, Fishers, Indiana 46038

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING, 7:00 p.m., Launch Fishers, Auditorium 

1. Meeting Called to Order with the Pledge of Allegiance 2. Announcements: 

3.      Proclamations:

4.      Presentations: 

a.      State Championship Recognition: 

i.       FHS - We the People

ii.     HSE Cheerleadering Team

b.     Service Awards FPD

i.       Jonathan Floyd (20 years), Brad Myers (25 years), and Anthony David (25 years)

5.      Council Committee Reports

a.      Finance Committee Report - MEETING WAS CANCELLED

6.     Department Reports

a.      Health Department Report - REPORT

b.     Engineering Report - REPORT

7.      Consent Agenda:

a.      Request to approve the previous meeting Minutes from Monday, March 20, 2023.

b.     R041723 - A Resolution of the Common Council Authorizing the City Controller to Transfer Certain Funds: Council Action Form I Exhibit A I Resolution