[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6335703,"mediaKeyId","2288791-63b7ff5ad13ca16f029887b3e459e2a5","parentId",2288791,"title","Whitestown board reports ridership gains for Connector; service provider changes to Go Express","audioSeconds",341,"startMs",117000,"endMs",458000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288791-63b7ff5ad13ca16f029887b3e459e2a5&start=117&end=458","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288791-63b7ff5ad13ca16f029887b3e459e2a5/thumbnail_117000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6335703/Town-of-Whitestown/Boone-County/Indiana/Whitestown-board-reports-ridership-gains-for-Connector-service-provider-changes-to-Go-Express","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335703-fcff9817075f9be09d0d52791b94717a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770886169&Signature=Ynv6w715rPsA4MRpXVf5FJ1zdDkBwz7Ytd6J5MpKEI~eyC0V4QlhM6KZ4rNDBUnTl0ObiCpbdGFvl4T1Bz6y3kck1VJR84b9v-bPq0blS9vK9CoVAzVImbs7vpeeL4h3YvRw1xIzZFzjtk5qneUK-QgwifxB4lLFLNSbZAd7SiH52o2eIFcaI2ZAieQBHMAceNu~xxQki3OdfskzuQua9gxyIuPo7fhTJ5w19G~UpUF4DVFHrUmNszOGdT3KYRLxy~h62REQgyrFh5n6IpUbK~Y2o7BjSyCO4Uxh6oMl~-hvEnd8fpB5Vb~a7PQKVbd2m~MVWQc5jkGyYQ6X6HUvvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Whitestown, IN","date","2025-01-14T15:46:40Z","article","The Whitestown Economic Improvement Board told the Town Council on Feb. 12 that the Whitestown Connector transit service finished 2024 largely self-funded after an earlier CIRTA grant ended and that the board has selected Go Express as the 2025 service provider.

Todd, a representative of the Whitestown Economic Improvement Board, said the board met twice in 2024 and that “the primary function of this board, right now anyway, is to fund the Whitestown Connector,” the shuttle that links Traders Point and industrial areas to the Indigo route. Todd said the small district initially received additional funding from the Redevelopment Commission but in the last two to three years has covered its own operating costs.

The nut of the report is that the Connector has continued producing steady ridership after five years of operation. The board provided a five-year ridership history that shows steady numbers through 2024 and reported that January 2025 was the service’s second-largest January on record.

Why it matters: the Connector provides first-mile/last-mile service for employees in Whitestown’s industrial and business parks, and sustained ridership supports continued service and potential route adjustments. The board said it is trying to identify what drove January’s uptick — possibilities mentioned included the provider change, improved accounting, or the 2024 decision to remove the dollar-per-ride charge on the Connector itself.

Details from the presentation and council exchange:
- The Town received a CIRTA-related grant that supported part of the service; that grant ended in November 2024. The board said the district has remained financially self-supporting since then.
- The board completed a provider review and selected Go Express to operate the Connector starting in 2025.
- The board has ZIP-code level information for riders but said more detailed origin–destination data is limited; the board plans additional study to understand trip patterns and what produced the January increase.
- A change in state statute last year now allows modification and potential expansion of business-district boundaries; the board plans to investigate whether expanding the district to include newly developed properties could broaden the tax base for the Connector.
- The board plans quarterly meetings in 2025.

The board did not present a final decision on boundary expansion, and council members asked staff to bring back further analysis if the board pursues boundary changes. The board also said it will continue monitoring ridership under the new operator and report follow-up findings to the council.

The board offered to answer further questions at future quarterly meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02-12-2025 TOWN COUNCIL MEETING","oneSentenceSummary","The Whitestown Economic Improvement Board told the Town Council on Feb. 12 that the Whitestown Connector transit service finished 2024 largely self-funded after an earlier CIRTA grant ended and that the board has selected Go Express as the 2025 service provider.","taxTitle","Town of Whitestown, Boone County, Indiana","taxId",52319,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6335698,"Whitestown Council approves paving, trail, public-safety equipment and other contracts in unanimous votes",1774,3180000,4954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288791-63b7ff5ad13ca16f029887b3e459e2a5&start=3180&end=4954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288791-63b7ff5ad13ca16f029887b3e459e2a5/thumbnail_3180000.jpg","/articles/6335698/Town-of-Whitestown/Boone-County/Indiana/Whitestown-Council-approves-paving-trail-public-safety-equipment-and-other-contracts-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335698-2199c1065d0496df9886703536c8303a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770886169&Signature=cFtmKaXiQXJiyIeqKzvRbBj5LFB35EDcyaEO7Mn5cgX-EwU72DzBYDZreYxlFY8~AZxj78rmFMW1JheonmYJBfXueIVV1h6-KDK0tJ7tekMil7PmOsdNIHXK19uKyi8ws2YVsNDhDRt7~fsTf~sZUhItP5LdRcZXRAHvvne46fmCIYOYUP3z~Gem~anRJBA3-V3iuXbtweRhC309tNxDho~UOX11S8Ipc3vbgKINpYY6CX5EKJwnOf8KgYiC0TZTqLQHoc8jURPmNE2B3f3P8FIJfd899X8dWJHO4n-ltb5gv5KyU5iqxhHJAyjS4WWd7-Yr5xm-WHRrRbT6fOXXSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Whitestown Town Council members unanimously approved a series of contracts, purchase orders and resolutions during their Feb. 12 meeting, including road paving, a Main Street Trail extension, public-safety equipment replacements and technology upgrades for Town Hall.

Votes at a glance (each item approved 5–0 unless noted):

- Consent agenda (meeting minutes, January claims, utility claims): approved 5–0.
- Main Street Trail Extension: approved an expenditure exceeding $25,000 not to exceed $38,200 to extend trail from Main Street Park to Albert S. White and connect to the new library and pedestrian signal; motion carried 5–0.
- 2024-2 CCMG paving contract: approved a construction contract award not to exceed $1,788,243.62 to Grady Brothers under the Community Crossings Matching Grant program; motion carried 5–0. Council also approved a related professional services agreement with BLA Inc. for construction administration and inspection not to exceed $99,108.60; motion carried 5–0.
- July 3 fireworks: authorized Ramsey Pyrotechnics for the July 3 fireworks show, amount not to exceed $45,000; motion carried 5–0.
- Ordinance 2025-3 (2025 salary matrix): council suspended the rules, completed second reading the same night, and adopted the ordinance (correcting biweekly math and adding one division chief position in the fire department); ordinance passed 5–0.
- Out-of-state travel: approved planning staff travel to the 2025 National Planning Conference in Denver (two staff), and approved out-of-state travel for one fire lieutenant to attend a command officer boot camp (Lieutenant Zach Schlatter), both motions carried 5–0.
- Resolution 2025-01 (surplus personal property): approved declaration of specified town equipment as surplus for recycling and certified destruction where applicable; motion carried 5–0.
- Microsoft licenses: approved annualized licensing purchase not to exceed $45,042 in order to move from monthly to annual licensing and save on recurring costs; motion carried 5–0.
- Town Hall audiovisual upgrade: approved prepayment (down payment) of $27,188.81 and full purchase not to exceed $54,377.62 for AV upgrades in the council chamber; motions carried 5–0. Council directed staff to research ADA captioning and accessibility options concurrent with the AV upgrade.
- Professional services with Boone County EDC: approved two separate agreements (Town general fund and Whitestown Utilities split) each not to exceed $50,000 for community and economic development services (total budgeted split of previously approved $100,000); both motions carried 5–0.
- Resolution 2025-02: adopted dedicating certain town-owned property as public right-of-way for the Peters/Hull Street reconstruction project; motion carried 5–0.
- Fire purchases: approved new turnout gear not to exceed $80,000 (bulk purchase for seven new hires and replacements) and approved replacement SCBA equipment not to exceed $419,309 (includes a trade-in credit of $35,000); both motions carried 5–0.
- Resolution 2025-03: acknowledged and authorized the clerk-treasurer’s authority per Indiana code to cancel outdated warrants and outstanding unpaid checks (required annual action); motion carried 5–0.
- Conflict-of-interest disclosures: the council acknowledged and accepted uniform disclosure forms filed by Councilor Cheryl Hancock and Councilor Dan Patterson.

Discussion and follow-up directions
- The council asked staff to investigate accessibility features that could be added to the AV upgrade (real-time captions/transcripts and other ADA accommodations). Staff said current assistive listening devices will remain in place and that software/plugins for captions are available but require the planned software upgrade first.
- The fire chief and staff explained the cost savings available through cooperative procurement (Sourcewell) and a state bid opening; the SCBA purchase includes a listed trade-in and would update aging equipment to current NFPA standards.

What was not decided
- No additional boundary changes or new taxes were approved in connection with the Whitestown Connector; any change to district boundaries would return to the board and council for formal action.

All listed amounts and outcomes reflect motions and votes recorded during the Feb. 12, 2025 meeting.

Votes and motions are recorded in the council minutes and the meeting packet.","Whitestown Town Council members unanimously approved a series of contracts, purchase orders and resolutions during their Feb. 12 meeting, including road paving, a Main Street Trail extension, public-safety equipment replacements and technology upgrades for Town Hall.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6335693,"Residents press Whitestown council on legal invoices, in-house counsel and subdivision traffic and buffer concerns",309,1484000,1793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2288791-63b7ff5ad13ca16f029887b3e459e2a5&start=1484&end=1793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2288791-63b7ff5ad13ca16f029887b3e459e2a5/thumbnail_1484000.jpg","/articles/6335693/Town-of-Whitestown/Boone-County/Indiana/Residents-press-Whitestown-council-on-legal-invoices-in-house-counsel-and-subdivision-traffic-and-buffer-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6335693-737c1b45ad86b249784b547a5e799583/orig.mp4?Expires=1770886169&Signature=j6kiTGP8VuxOLEtmcgSs8ZDzpY6kl9PkAhREyHJYBrIkCW8WTjlT5lyk-yYqghDlItGDgrgmdheTk12Tm0ac9o~9XJWJZJOdh8PM4-Xx6IvTOCQJR0zUQkcNToVLNJ1mTwY7ALiez47B0PnzUWSy724q1rI3A7jl7GEJ9jfiUWTXBqCZjrRhj1CM~rk4hnyyAYbpwpjPvRqXH6FTS9PfH5YpCulWEVs0bTNiFNaPAHJn-sR7n6VKrYYTivRSAbaLzlhbhvRp0pSjs42kBsx7x6-LXXAhG4108Lhnx-szsLu3ceE4-lGhJD-YJhRmjZWZeEWiflSWhPumZk-IsNEFZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two residents used the Feb. 12 public-comment slot to press Whitestown officials on town legal invoices and upcoming development impacts.

Ken Kingsville (6515 E. 750 S.) asked the council about the status of his public-records request dated Jan. 29 for detailed legal invoices and questioned multiple line entries he saw on the claims register. He told council staff he believed some legal and banking entries appeared to be duplicated and asked for clarification on voided and reissued checks and on a $3 discrepancy he found in a transportation loan entry.

A town attorney or clerk-treasurer staff member responded that the town had met the seven-day statutory initial response to the request and that a further review was in progress because the request covered over a year of invoices and multiple pages that require review. Clerk/treasurer staff explained to Kingsville that some apparent duplicated entries on the register reflected voided checks that were reprinted when a check printed incorrectly, and that insurance-company credits or interfund allocations can appear as credits on utility claims. The clerk-treasurer agreed to update posted agenda links from Jan. 6 and to follow up on Kingsville’s request for invoice clarifications.

Ken Kingsville also suggested the town consider hiring an in-house attorney instead of relying on outside counsel; he said a full-time attorney might reduce outside legal spending. Town staff noted the volume and complexity of matters under review and the need to follow statutory public-records deadlines when processing requests.

Kevin Russell (6123 Golden Eagle Drive, postal Zionsville) raised several non-agenda concerns. Russell said comments on a podcast about council membership could harm property values and asked the council to “disavow those kind of comments.” He also argued council members should be allowed to attend park meetings to hear resident input and urged enforcement of an existing buffer zone near Westwood Landings that he recalled being established when that subdivision was approved. Russell raised traffic concerns about a proposed subdivision on County Road 750 (several hundred homes) and said road capacity and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions (including Ronald Reagan Boulevard extensions) must be addressed before new subdivisions are activated.

What the town said and next steps
- Town staff said they responded to Kingsville’s records request within the seven-day statutory window and would continue the document review; they will report back when the review is complete.
- The clerk-treasurer agreed to look into reissuing or clearing outstanding checks and to update the public links noted by Kingsville.
- Staff acknowledged Russell’s concerns about road capacity and buffer zones; those topics will be considered when related subdivision applications come forward to planning and to the council.

Neither resident asked for nor received an immediate council vote; both matters were recorded as public comment and directed to appropriate staff for follow-up.","Two residents used the Feb. 12 public-comment slot to press Whitestown officials on town legal invoices and suggested hiring in-house counsel to save money, while another resident raised traffic and buffer concerns related to an upcoming subdivision.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Whitestown board reports ridership gains for Connector; service provider changes to Go Express

Whitestown Council approves paving, trail, public-safety equipment and other contracts in unanimous votes

Residents press Whitestown council on legal invoices, in-house counsel and subdivision traffic and buffer concerns