[{"_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",6469980,"mediaKeyId","5780387-df2ab65db3111e95aefe81880f466967","parentId",5780387,"title","Residents urge more invasive-species funding, ask about AgriPark lead testing and transit during Fishers budget hearing","audioSeconds",1334,"startMs",1829000,"endMs",3163000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780387-df2ab65db3111e95aefe81880f466967&start=1829&end=3163","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780387-df2ab65db3111e95aefe81880f466967/thumbnail_1829000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6469980/Fishers-City/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Residents-urge-more-invasive-species-funding-ask-about-AgriPark-lead-testing-and-transit-during-Fishers-budget-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469980-58019ffd4931552139e395690fe68aa6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469197&Signature=CwN0xJGEkHtVpmUyDcQCHND2K2yRgADBj9-aQdFCpWDaWpfGAEWXIkgA-cbC3NaDHDrf-nHREJKtVgRgAVPnwS9DNYpDJS8vnzE7aGnsf1RIaog~ZIgjgo8z2cJU2726HBUZ4miNEjtQbBhGoN9wIVt-6Rk8LbUvySMyt~cv2UJ7rNlwda2lycEO1RhUWYmYNQ51UEg~iHBE~7bSGRrRxhB13GcfIe045ZpC9E5Kdyb0I3M7U3XKuZwniEWpBxJ8tZBg6LL5o3cDKM3YQik8VYCnwxL9JWcy1FJUR5OzaD9bOwDtvq5WcmfDZ49fh5ptPwsGFrPLDtXzcS-A3MBOFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fishers","date","2025-09-16T00:01:43.047Z","article","During the Sept. 15 Fishers City Council budget hearing residents raised three recurring concerns: funding for invasive-species removal in city parks, potential lead contamination at the proposed AgriPark site, and the need to study public-transit options.

Amy Perry, a Fishers resident, asked the council to increase the 2026 budget allocation for removing invasive woody plants such as honeysuckle, noting removal costs escalate with infestation density. Perry said Ritchie Woods Nature Preserve is roughly 40–42 acres and warned that high-density invasions could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to remediate if left unchecked.

Becky McNichols and other neighbors spoke in favor of the AgriPark project and urged careful planning and neighborhood access. In response to community questions about soil lead levels at the AgriPark site, Elliott Holkren, deputy mayor, said the city contracted A & L Great Lakes Laboratories, a Fort Wayne testing firm, to perform soil lead testing. Holkren reported a test result of 26 parts per million and said that, in his statement, the Environmental Protection Agency’s screening benchmarks indicate that level is safe for farming activities.

Separately, resident Ross Reinhardt urged the council to consider public transit as a strategic investment to increase density efficiency and broaden mobility options as Fishers grows. Reinhardt said transit could increase returns on existing infrastructure by allowing more intensive use of built assets and cited accessibility benefits for residents who cannot drive.

Other commenters raised traffic concerns at 96th Street and Allisonville Road and asked whether planned intersection work would include pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements. Resident Ross Wright Harris urged council and staff to use the intersection project to improve pedestrian crossings, bump-outs and leading pedestrian intervals to make crossings safer for nearby schools and neighborhoods.

City staff said the city would carry over certain park invasive-removal programs into 2026 and that public-works and parks staff would consider whether to increase funding. The administration did not announce a specific additional funding amount at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting: 9/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents asked the council to increase funding for invasive-species removal, reported a lead-test result for the proposed AgriPark site and urged study of public transit during the Sept. 15 budget hearing.","taxTitle","Fishers City, Hamilton County, Indiana","taxId",4054,"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},6469984,"Votes at a glance: Fishers council approves police training appropriation, State Road 37 financing and two annexations",1976,514000,2490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780387-df2ab65db3111e95aefe81880f466967&start=514&end=2490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780387-df2ab65db3111e95aefe81880f466967/thumbnail_514000.jpg","/articles/6469984/Fishers-City/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Fishers-council-approves-police-training-appropriation-State-Road-37-financing-and-two-annexations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469984-e92a85716e3f5526ba3b261e890a73ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469197&Signature=Ee9s0PGUEN6CQQ~iFWyaTxREURR6LkxSkobU9n6RxrUcFK3PMKjS4peqdF0tfTfm1xleFnfFTX8rAkjbnj4-gqxRETURfYm3WdrCcyymIIn30CehbrIkgazIht~5rOts9w4sHuPpQ3M7wV3-2XVkwmh0GCRgVybX1334dl1XweynLpDOQSVOguRsILMkgZ5s77IE4OVPX-wdesJxKuG4N9aVN73puck0OLdIYNZ4GeYB2U7iqetXmt9x7xFY71cYXmSy1tipp2vi-Npavlhq-TcbX6BtHWsoKIo3h0zq8znSV0aJB4ZKV9u2HZyS~I1YZyXBORGLpRy5pyHPUtj-Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fishers City Council recorded roll-call votes Sept. 15 on several items: an additional appropriation for a restricted continuing-education fund; a resolution to permanently finance a bond anticipation note related to State Road 37 using a lease structure between the Fishers Redevelopment Commission and the Fishers Redevelopment Authority; and two voluntary annexations.

Continuing-education fund appropriation (item 8): Lisa Bradford, city controller, said the restricted fund is supported by violation-related receipts and may be used only for allowed purchases. The council opened and closed the required public hearing with no speakers and approved the appropriation. The motion was made by Councilmember Selena Stoller and seconded by Tiffany (surname not specified on record). During the roll call, recorded ayes included Dean Peterson; John DeLucia; John Weingart; Cecilia Coble; Brad DeRemer; Selena Stoller; Todd Zimmerman; Tiffany; and Bill Stewart. The mayor noted the motion passed.

State Road 37 financing resolution (item 9): Bradford described the item as a financing mechanism that approves the Fishers Redevelopment Commission entering into a lease with the Fishers Redevelopment Authority to permanently finance a portion of an intersection project (listed in the fiscal plan) and other potential projects. The council moved and seconded the resolution; the roll call recorded ayes from John DeLucia; John Weingart; Cecilia Coble; Brad DeRemer; Selena Stoller; Todd Zimmerman; Tiffany; and others. The mayor and staff said Bill Stewart was experiencing technical difficulties but the resolution passed as recorded.

Annexations (items 14 and 15): The council approved a voluntary annexation for Collinswood Lane (resolution 091525E) and a second voluntary annexation presented later. Both were described by staff as annexations tied to new construction; fiscal plans were presented in August and the council approved the annexations by roll call. For the Collinswood Lane resolution staff said it was a voluntary annexation for new construction and moved the council to approve a fiscal plan. The motion was moved by Selena Stoller and seconded by Tiffany; roll-call ayes were recorded and the motion passed. For the second annexation the motion was moved by Councilmember John and seconded by John DeLucia; recorded ayes included Pete Peterson; John DeLucia; John Weingart; Cecilia Coble; Brad DeRemer; Selena Stoller; Todd Zimmerman; Tiffany; and Bill Stewart. Both annexations passed.

Votes were recorded by roll call and, where noted, were unanimous among members present. The meeting transcript records the individual roll-call confirmations; the council president announced each motion as passed.

No further contested ordinances or failed motions were recorded in the meeting minutes supplied.","At its Sept. 15 meeting Fishers City Council approved (1) a restricted continuing-education appropriation for police supplies, (2) a resolution permanently financing a bond anticipation note related to State Road 37 through a lease structure between redevelopment entities, and (3) two voluntary annexations; roll-call votes were recorded for each.",{"_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},6469991,"Fishers holds first reading of 2026 budget; mayor outlines flat tax-rate goal and new spending priorities",1575,617000,2192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780387-df2ab65db3111e95aefe81880f466967&start=617&end=2192","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780387-df2ab65db3111e95aefe81880f466967/thumbnail_617000.jpg","/articles/6469991/Fishers-City/Hamilton-County/Indiana/Fishers-holds-first-reading-of-2026-budget-mayor-outlines-flat-tax-rate-goal-and-new-spending-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6469991-134ea6467625ebdf408c320aec381994/orig.mp4?Expires=1775469197&Signature=ISsKgh9LTDVS8~zHQYWjLy8Pdt0RlLEdueezaFxRnv06Gpf3sBkZ3TbY-2d4xmpJzu1HzOknAhlhgY7PqRJkskKuGqyyXMmqGQ4P1NKoifR2CeWLa95tm1r30NnhS2swoXz1Hz~YSPl~GMRn9jcRYr2KwKSX9W76GAI8Tn1NaZfTivLWXhPkfEYIM8AzzsDDK4vICn4UOzsELCigSKzIeIbOBDNByXi2m2H6nkQhVkBN4KKTHz6f4N5ufz3lgGNll9d5sR9n-LZzyD4h8ZrfnB7rnTMXd1Fgnt9Au5eUN7YQZ67hzc2TFuyuVbKcp-QQX-CGRCVBaxoIOA2HeKL2uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Fadnis presented a summary of Fishers’ proposed 2026 budget during the City Council meeting Sept. 15, saying the administration expects to keep the municipal tax rate near current levels while advancing investments in public safety, parks and neighborhood programs.

At the hearing, Mayor Fadnis said the total 2026 budget — operating and capital combined — is $203,680,000, with operating and capital spending of roughly $162,000,000 and cash reserves across all funds near $67,000,000. He said the city’s municipal tax rate is about $0.7055 per $100 of assessed value and that Fishers remains the lowest municipal tax rate in Hamilton County.

The mayor listed budget priorities for 2026 including three additional firefighters, two additional school resource officers, continued investment in the city’s fleet and a $100,000 increase in fire training. He also proposed continued funding of the $400,000 neighborhood matching grants program, $50,000 for education innovation grants, and a $10,000 ADA matching-grant pilot program.

Elliott Holkren, deputy mayor, presented the first reading of the city’s 2026 salary ordinance—a package that would add or retitle several positions (a zoning administrator in economic and community development; an operations manager in public works), increase the clothing allowance cap to $1,350, raise longevity pay to $8,000 after 25 years, add bilingual specialty pay for fire, and grant a 3% increase to maximum biweekly salary amounts for all position titles. Holkren said the salary changes align with the proposed budget.

Holkren and Mayor Fadnis also told the council that the city’s health-insurance costs will not increase for the sixth consecutive year, an outcome Holkren credited to a direct-employer contract negotiated with Community Health.

The council opened the required public hearing on the budget. Several residents spoke. Michael Colby asked about a recent change in the state funding formula and whether Fishers had accounted for that shift; Mayor Fadnis said the administration was still analyzing last-minute adjustments to net assessed values and anticipated it could manage the change. Ross Reinhardt urged the city to study public-transit options as a longer-term strategy for accommodating growth. Amy Perry urged a larger allocation for invasive-species removal in Fishers parks, citing Ritchie Woods Nature Preserve as an example and noting removal costs rise the longer treatment is delayed.

Following the public hearing, the council gave the budget ordinance a first reading. Councilmember John provided the first reading; the mayor said the administration expects to return for final approval in October after additional analysis and any necessary adjustments.

The first-reading action does not itself adopt the budget; the council will consider the ordinance again at a future meeting for final adoption.","Mayor presented a $203.68 million 2026 budget summary at the Sept. 15 Fishers City Council meeting, emphasizing plans to maintain the municipal tax rate, add public-safety staff and invest in parks, sidewalks and neighborhood grants; the council held a public hearing and gave the ordinance a first reading.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents urge more invasive-species funding, ask about AgriPark lead testing and transit during Fishers budget hearing

Votes at a glance: Fishers council approves police training appropriation, State Road 37 financing and two annexations

Fishers holds first reading of 2026 budget; mayor outlines flat tax-rate goal and new spending priorities