WEEK OF JUNE 25, 2018 SHERIDAN | NOBLESVILLE | CICERO | ARCADIA ATLANTA | WESTFIELD | CARMEL | FISHERS Is a Local Income Tax for 911 in our future? Is a new public safety local income tax in our future? It is not certain, but there is talk among political leaders that such a tax might be Photo provided the answer to funding Officials from the City of Westfield, developers and Pro X representatives broke ground last week on a new $5 million the very important and indoor athletic training facility located in Grand Park. (From left) Birch Dalton, Ken Kocher, David Hannum, Jamey expensive 911 commu- FRED SWIFT Gordon, Mayor Andy Cook, Joe Thatcher, Jim Ake, Cindy Spoljaric, Casey Arnold, Chuck Lehman and Steve Hoover. nications operation. The County Line Most folks proba- bly don't pay a great deal of attention to how 911 is funded. Currently the countywide operation, housed at the county sheriff's de- partment, costs about $9.2 million per year, Training facility breaks according to county auditor's records. About $3.6 million of that comes from a user tax levied on telephone subscribers. The other $5.6 million is paid by the cities of Nobles- ville, Carmel, Westfield, Fishers and county government. ground at Grand Park County officials have been seeking The REPORTER to have the other smaller communities in Westfield Mayor Andy Cook joined Adams, Jackson, White River and Wayne other city leaders and owners of Pro X townships pay their shares of the expense. Athlete Development last Wednesday For budget year 2019 there has been no to break ground on the latest business to agreement reached. For next year only coun- make Grand Park its home. The $5 mil- ty commissioners are asking only a token lion Pro X facility is scheduled to open in amount of 10 percent of a smaller units' obli- early 2019. gation in 2019. “Our vision for Grand Park was that it But, for the following year something be an economic driver for Westfield,” said new is expected to be implemented. And, Cook. “Seeing a private company like Pro the speculation centers around an increase X locate here is evidence that our vision in the countywide Local Income Tax. State for this campus is on track. It is the begin- law allows one quarter of one percent of Artistic rendering provided ning of Grand Park’s future in the ‘busi- individual income to be levied for public ness of sports.’” The 60,000-square foot facility will batting cages, two full swing golf simula- safety purposes. “The Pro X team is thrilled that we get be located west of the Grand Park Events tors and a fully operational sports rehab/ In Hamilton County that would raise an opportunity to bring our training experi- Center and will provide the unique inte- physical therapy office. about $35 million. That figure is far in excess ence and expertise to the great city of West- gration of all facets of an athlete’s devel- The Pro X business concept and facili- of the current 911 annual costs, so officials field and Grand Park,” said Joe Thatcher, opment: Physical training, rehab, injury ty were developed and designed by former could be expected to reduce the $35 million Pro X President. “We feel our presence on prevention and sport-specific instruction. professional athletes – including former In- potential collection to current and then sub- the campus will not only compliment what The Pro X mission is to expose ath- dianapolis Colts players Justin Snow, Cur- sequent inevitably rising needs of the 911 has been created, but also be a catalyst for letes of all sports, ages and skill levels tis Painter and Dan Muir – and replicates the communications operation. future growth. Grand Park affords so many to innovative and high-level training. integrated and customized care pro athletes All those figures may sound confusing, athletes the opportunity to compete and The multi-sport training facility will fea- receive on a daily basis. Pro X is dedicated but we can assume local officials and their showcase their talents on a grand scale and ture a 3,000-square foot weight room, to helping young athletes in the journey to advisers will calculate needs and wants in the our goal is help these same athletes be the 38,000-square feet of open turf (enough achieve their full potential. For more go to coming year if the political climate appears best that they can be.” for two full-sized baseball diamonds), 22 proxathlete.com. to allow proceeding. At present the Local Income Tax of one percent on individual income is the saving grace for local government, bringing in more Support Noblesville’s Fourth of July than $140 million countywide for the partici- pating units of government. Because average county incomes are high, the income tax now exceeds the property tax in public revenue. festivities with collectible buttons One might think that within all that mon- The REPORTER the collectible buttons – 500 two- the event bigger and better in ey, the $5.6 million needed for 911 could The Fourth of July Planning Commit- inch, blinking buttons and 500 2019,” Hoffmeister said. somehow be found. We will have to wait and tee has created commemorative 2018 No- round metal buttons measur- Buttons will be for sale see, but it is a matter that bears watching be- blesville Fireworks Festival buttons so res- ing 2.25 inches. Buttons at the Dillon Park Summer cause it seems all taxes start out small. idents can assist in supporting the July 4th will include a new design Concerts on June 28; and festivities and represent Noblesville. along with the year mov- at Federal Hill Commons “We have great community businesses ing forward. during the Foam Party on Hultgren named and organizations sponsoring our parade, LED blinking buttons June 24, Concert at the festival and fireworks. Many residence are $3 each and include Commons on June 30 and Fishers Deputy Mayor have asked how they can also support the three features – fast blink, the 38th Infantry U.S. Army community-focused event, with the cre- slow blink and on. Metal but- Band concert on July 1. But- of Administration ation of these buttons we now have the tons are $1 each. Net proceeds tons also may be purchased with By LARRY LANNAN perfect opportunity for families to get in- from button sales go directly to supporting exact cash or check at Forest Park Inn, 701 LarryInFishers.com volved. We hope that residents will enjoy the Noblesville Fourth of July festivities, Cicero Road, and the Mayor’s Office in collecting them over the years,” July 4th which is subsidized completely by spon- Noblesville City Hall, 16 S. 10th St. Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness announced Planning Committee Co-Chairman Mike sorship dollars and uses no city funds. Those interested in ordering larger at last Monday night’s City Council meeting Hoffmeister said. “Our goal is to sell all 1,000 buttons, that Elliott Huntgren has been appointed as The committee has a limited number of which will allow the committee to make See Buttons . Page A6 Fishers Deputy Mayor of Administration. Hultgren has been the fleet director for the city. He recently served a stint in Afri- Three candidates announce early for HSE School Board ca as a member of the By LARRY LANNAN bent school board member in Dis- candidate for re-election. armed forces. LarryInFishers.com trict 3, has announced officially Brad Banks announced he In his new role she will be seeking another four- plans to file for the District 4 seat as a deputy mayor he Hultgren Candidates for the Hamilton year term. now held by Terry Tolle. Board will head-up the city’s human resources de- Southeastern (HSE) School Board Frank Whelan, an unsuccessful member Tolle says he will not seek partment, information technology, business do not start filing their petitions un- candidate two years ago, will try another term. solutions and the controller’s office. til July 25, but three people have let again, this time running in District With Matt Burke leaning toward “All of the departments that don’t al- it be known they will run for HSE 2, currently represented by John not running for another term, there ways get a lot of air time,” Fadness said, Board seats. DeLucia. Board member DeLucia could be as many as three open seats “but are critical for the operations of our Michelle Fullhart, the incum- has made it clear he will not be a in this year’s school board balloting. internal organization. We’re excited to have him in a leadership role.” A2 News Week of June 25, 2018 Jennifer Templeton named Republican Woman of the Year The REPORTER dollars in dona- situation than The Hamilton Coun- tions of items not when she took it ty Federated Republican covered under on. Teaching her Women’s Club (HCFRW) food stamps. children how to is pleased to announce that Jennifer de- give back to their Jennifer Templeton has scribes herself as community and been selected Hamilton a mother of three making a differ- County Republican Wom- that finds herself ence in some- an of the Year. involved in com- one’s life can be Jennifer is the current munity service more rewarding. Hamilton County Treasur- and outreach, Templeton Community and er and the past President of which began her path of family are very important the Hamilton County Fed- service in 1993. Over the to her and she feels that erated Republican Women. years she has been a Girl every opportunity to spend Jennifer was selected for Scout leader, member of time making a difference is her leadership skills and the Cicero Kiwanis and her purpose in life.