State Of The City: Fishers Mayor Talks Collaboration

From The City of Fishers: Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness delivered an unconventional state of the city today, inviting community leaders to present accomplishments while reserving his remarks to share his intent to focus on regional collaboration. More than 700 business and community members attended the annual Fishers State of the City luncheon hosted by OneZone Chamber of Commerce.Mayor Fadness began his annual address by sharing the evolution of cities and towns from agrarian economies to industrial economies to 21st-century, people-centric economies.

“Today, cities do not exist or thrive because of their proximity to farms or their distance to natural resources, but they exist to create an experience and quality of life that supports the most precious natural resource of all, people,” said Mayor Fadness. “To compete in today’s economy, we must invest in people. And like with any natural resource it is critical that we continually evaluate the health of that resource to ensure long term sustainability.”

Several rankings were noted throughout the presentation that highlighted the realities of today’s population, noting Indiana ranks in the bottom percentile when it comes to overall health, mental health, smoking, higher education, quality of life, and the natural environment.
“Changing the trajectory of our people’s quality of life can seem daunting for a community, but if we collaborate as a region, I believe we have the opportunity to grow our way out of our problems,” remarked Fadness. “Companies and talented people are comparing metropolitan areas when deciding to locate. Right now, we will not win the race in the long run.”
Mayor Fadness unveiled two regional collaboration solutions that currently underway, aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability:

Regional Investment Hubs
During the 2019 Indiana Legislative Session, Mayor Fadness, on behalf of Accelerating Indiana Municipalities (AIM), advocated for Regional Investment Hubs. Regional Investment Hubs establish a mechanism for any region in Indiana to raise local revenue on a sustainable, ongoing basis to fund transformative capital projects. The legislation did not pass the 2019 Session but has been assigned to a Summer Study Committee for further consideration.

NIBIN Partnership with IMPD
In January 2019, in collaboration with IMPD, the Fishers Police Department began registering confiscated firearms and ballistic materials in a database that tracks ballistic and DNA evidence for every firearm and bullet collected in Indianapolis. As a result of this collaboration, of the 13 firearms or shell casings confiscated in Fishers since January, nine of them have been connected to a violent crime that occurred in Indianapolis. Fishers Police Department hosted over 100 law enforcement officers across Hamilton County for training on the NIBIN database as a first step toward a regional approach to combating violent crimes.
Other Accomplishments highlighted by community leaders include:

Entrepreneurship
Launch Fishers and Indiana IoT Lab – Fishers co-founder John Wechsler shared a few snapshots of success: Launch Fishers boasts 574 members that have received $87 million in investment capital to date while in just its first year, the Indiana IoT Lab – Fishers hosted more than 50 events, more than 3,000 visitors, and is home to 15 companies. On the entrepreneurial horizon in Fishers stands the Fishers Test Kitchen, a restaurant accelerator calling the new Thompson Thrift culinary destination, the Yard at Fishers District, home. Slated to open this fall, the Test Kitchen and The Signature Table will feature unique culinary experiences highlighting chef-entrepreneurs. More information can be found at fisherstestkitchen.com.

CurioCity
HSE Schools Superintendent Dr. Allen Bourff highlighted the unique partnership between the school corporation and the City of Fishers. From grounds maintenance to collaboration on award-winning co-curriculum program Nature First and the latest venture: CurioCity. CurioCity is realized through key partnerships like Conner Prairie to provide students, teachers, and parents access to real-world educational experiences from guest speaking opportunities to co-curriculum, such as the 4th grade Conner Prairie Indiana History collaboration. More information can be found at curiocityhub.com.

Equity and Inclusion
In 2018, HSE Schools received a grant that would lead to the funding and hiring of the District’s first Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, in partnership with the City of Fishers. As a result of Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera’s work, over 80 ‘Intro to Equity’ workshops have been held alongside professional development related to gender diversity, religion, and other identity-related topics. Each District building has established equity teams, led by appointed equity coaches. Coaches conduct monthly racial equity meetings for teachers while administrators and nearly 500 teachers have completed Undoing Racism training through People’s Institute and Child Advocates.

School-Based Mental Health
HSE Schools Mental Health and School Counseling Coordinator Brooke Lawson, LCSW, presented outcomes from the District’s efforts on school-based mental health supports. Since the program launched in October 2016, 1,238 students have received mental health support at school. This is the direct result of the 2016 school referendum which opened funding to establish what is now 17 licensed therapists, one crisis liaison, and a life skills clinician. Prior to the referendum just two clinicians serviced the entire District. The result: increased grades, test scores, and attendance while discipline referrals saw a decrease for students receiving mental health support.

Mental Health Initiative
What began with Mayor Fadness conducting an FPD ride-a-long in 2014, has become a 5 year journey to combat mental illness and the stigma associated with it in Fishers. In Q4 2018, the Fishers Fire Department and Emergency Services launched its behavioral health EMS Duty Officer program to provide a continuum of care within 72-hours of a behavioral health incident. More information can be found at stigmafreefishers.com.

Data-Driven Decision Making
The City of Fishers is dedicated to improving the city’s processes and efficiencies as it transitions to data-driven decision making. Deputy Mayor Elliott Hultgren shared the systems and processes implemented in the last two years to help inform and drive cost savings to the Fishers taxpayer. The Department of Public Works is now tracking its efficiencies to cut down the cost drivers during a typical snowstorm. With data driving decisions, DPW leadership can now better understand salt and bring application rates, route planning, and labor. Decisions made from this data resulted in this past winter being the most efficient snowplow season to date.

Economic Development
Economic Development Director Megan Baumgartner shared that since 2015, businesses have committed to adding over 4,900 new jobs to the city at an average salary of more than $65,000. Combined with over $500 million in capital investment, economic development is thriving in Fishers. In 2018, the City announced projects by Browning Investments, First Internet Bank, and Hub and Spoke Design Center to build on this momentum.

Placemaking
Deputy Mayor Leah McGrath shared the vision for making Fishers a vibrant place to live, visit, and attract the next generation. In 2018, Fishers received the Statewide Cultural District designation for the Nickel Plate District as a result of work that began seven years ago. Efforts to convert the Nickel Plate Rail to Trail kicked off to create a linear park where world-class art, history, wellness, and innovation come together to connect people to places and connect people to what is uniquely Fishers. Master Planning for the Geist Waterfront Park kicked off to create a place transformed to a new identity. The Geist Waterfront Park will be a place where all residents are welcome to enjoy nature alongside Fishers’ natural beauty.