Scott Fadness: Leadership that delivered for Fishers as city grows

Fishers has grown into one of Indiana’s most dynamic, vibrant and innovative cities.

We have achieved this growth responsibly, with a commitment to good governance, low taxes and the efficient use of public funds. But we also achieved it by doing more with less.

For years, Fishers has experienced a local income tax distribution disparity that effectively redirected dollars from our residents’ pockets to other communities in Hamilton County. This formula flaw in the state law meant fewer resources for the very services our residents rely on.

Thanks to the leadership of state Sen. Kyle Walker, that will no longer be the case. House Enrolled Act 1427, which includes key language authored by Walker, makes a long-overdue change to the state’s local income tax distribution formula that will ensure Fishers receives a more equitable share of local income tax revenue.

To be sure, this was not a quick or easy fix.

Previous legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2020 and 2023 and a resulting lawsuit made the situation more complex, more political and more urgent for our city as we continued to grow. Walker recognized the urgency, rolled up his sleeves and went to work for Fishers and our residents. He understood what was at stake and why it mattered to our city’s future.

For two years, he led the effort to bring people together, engage stakeholders and find a fair and lasting solution. He did the behind-the-scenes work that rarely makes headlines but makes all the difference.

That kind of quiet, effective leadership is what we need more of in government.

Walker’s work matters. It matters for our police department, our fire department, our roads and infrastructure, our parks, and our neighborhoods. It ensures we can deliver the day-to-day services our residents, businesses and visitors rely on.

Here is why: Fishers and Carmel have nearly identical populations. Yet, in 2025, Carmel is projected to receive nearly $77 million in local income tax revenue, while Fishers is projected to receive only $42.5 million. Noblesville, with 30% fewer residents and just more than half the assessed value of Fishers, is projected to receive $41.8 million—nearly the same amount as Fishers.

This discrepancy is not the fault of Carmel, Noblesville or other local governments. It is the result of an antiquated formula that penalizes Fishers taxpayers while disproportionately benefiting residents of other communities.

Under the recently passed law, now $8 million to $10 million of Fishers’ taxpayer money will return to the city of Fishers.

To put that into perspective: Fishers’ entire annual budget is just more than $100 million. That $10 million difference will help us ensure our police and fire departments are fully staffed, provide resources to enhance our parks department, and help cover the ever-rising costs to keep our roads and infrastructure up to date.

Over the years, we have not asked for special treatment. We have asked for fair treatment, an equitable share of the local taxes our residents pay in a way that does not harm our neighbors. Thanks to our senator’s pragmatic and principled leadership, that is exactly what we will receive.

Fishers is now in a stronger position to continue our growth, to hire more police officers and firefighters, and to deliver the high-quality services that make our city one of the best and safest places to live in America.•

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Fadness is the mayor of Fishers.