The city of Westfield and Westfield Washington Schools announced today they have decided to hold the tax rate to the 2008 level and not raise taxes in 2010.

“In light of the current economic climate, we felt it was important to keep the tax rate steady while maintaining our current levels of service in areas impacted by local taxes,” said Dr. Mark Keen, superintendent of Westfield Washington Schools.

Both entities were approved to collect a higher tax rate by the Department of Local Government and Finance, but the city council, school board along with the city and school administrators worked collaboratively to keep the tax rate stable.

“Rarely do you see the type of cooperative relationship we have with the school corporation,” said Mayor Andy Cook.  “It is because of this relationship and our organizations’ efficiencies we are able to prevent an increase in tax rates.”

Even though the city and school district have seen a decrease in revenue and have made extensive cuts, city and school officials continue to pledge a stable tax rate for the citizens of Westfield.

City and school officials feel that a steady tax rate positions our community to attract and maintain existing businesses when the economy stabilizes.

The current city tax is $ .6606, while the school tax is $1.4890.

The city of Carmel, the Ccty of Westfield and Clarian North Medical Center are pleased to announce the “Make It Fit Now” wellness challenge, a program designed to help Carmel and Westfield residents and employees get fit and stay healthy. Launched in 2007 as the Carmel Mayor’s Wellness Challenge, the 2010 wellness challenge is being expanded to include the city of Westfield.

News Conference

Thursday, January 14, 2010

10:00 am

Clarian North Medical Center – Grand Atrium

11700 N. Meridian St., Carmel

Join Carmel Mayor James Brainard, Westfield Mayor Andy Cook and Jon Goble, president and CEO of Clarian North, as they announce the 2010 wellness challenge.

Carmel, Westfield mayors: US 31 project facing significant delays

By Kevin Kane
Current in Westfield


January 7, 2010


Construction is scheduled to begin on U.S. 31 in 2011 as part of the Major Moves program, to improve traffic flow, decrease accidents and promote economic development. However, Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard said he was asked to participate in a special meeting with two INDOT officials in late 2009, during which he was told much of the road construction was suddenly pushed back to 2017.

Funding for the Major Moves program is planned to last through 2015, but if construction is moved to 2017, Brainard said he’s afraid that would mean any delayed portions of the U.S. 31 project would be past deadline and therefore unfunded, including all work in Carmel.


“It would appear to us that there is no funding right now,” he said. “We are very disappointed with this.”

Brainard said he hasn't received an updated version of the construction schedule, and INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield, who Brainard said was one of the two individuals who called the meeting, didn’t agree with the entirety of Brainard’s recollection. He said INDOT met with Brainard and Westfield Mayor Andy Cook at a later date to get their respective input on the project and to hear their priorities. While he acknowledged that some aspects of the project have been moved to 2017, he stressed that the plan is not finalized.


“When you’re talking about construction projects of this size, it’s hard to have concrete plans when looking a few years into the future,” he said. “It’s still a draft at this point.”

 

Cook said his interpretation of his meeting with INDOT was similar to Brainard’s, and he expressed his frustration with the potential postponement.

“It’s terrible,” he said. “It has further rendered this project uncertain with a capital ‘U.’”


Cook said he was very excited after first hearing of the Major Moves program because he said there is more potential for economic growth in Hamilton County than anywhere in the state. The U.S. 31 project, he said, would help promote that growth, but it is also necessary for safety. Cook said too many accidents occur along U.S. 31 for the safety of travelers to be overlooked.


“55 miles per hour and stop lights just don’t match,” he said.


Cook and Brainard said they are trying to work with the state to get all of the construction moved back within 2015 and ensure the project remains funded. Brainard said he’s open to multiple resolutions but stressed that the project has to be done right, that certainty be provided to the businesses along U.S. 31 and that the two sides reach an agreement quickly.


“All options are on the table,” Brainard said. “This isn’t good for Carmel, and it isn’t good for the state.”

At the first City Council meeting of the year, the Westfield City Council elected a new President and Vice president for 2010.  Councilman Tom Smith will serve as president and Councilman John Dippel will serve as vice president.   Their one year terms are effective immediately. 

Smith will be replacing Ken Kingshill and Dippel will be replacing Bob Horkay.  Kingshill and Horkay served for two years. 

For additional information, contact Carrie Cason at 317-804-3004

Westfield Police Department moves to 12-hour shifts
Change puts more officers on the road
For Current in Westfield

Beginning this month, the Westfield Police Department will transition their patrol Officers from eight to twelve hour shifts.  Converting to twelve-hour shifts makes it possible to increase the number of officers on the street without having to hire additional manpower.  Simply modifying the hours worked per shift can increase the average number of patrol officers from four to six.  Adding officers will aid in achieving Mayor Cook’s mission to make Westfield’s streets safer and provide the resources to address the community’s needs.
 
The Westfield Police Department will examine statistical data collected in 2009 to formulate targeted patrols to combat crime in 2010.  In addition, the Department will study crash reports looking at locations and causation factors that provide an understanding as to where to increase enforcement actions along with analyzing needs for signage, pavement markings and other physical characteristic changes.  The increased patrols and enforcement actions will reduce the amount of crime and injuries relating to crashes.
 
Preliminary data indicates that a high percentage of crashes occurred on roads intersecting with US 31.  The community should be aware that heightened enforcement will take place in these areas emphasizing the need for motorists to watch their speed and to be aware of the ever-changing traffic conditions.  Also, the community will notice more patrol cars in areas of the city where statistics indicate an increase in property crimes.
 
“I am thrilled with this change and I believe that the residents will begin to see positive changes immediately,” says Westfield Mayor Andy Cook.  The Westfield Police Department ‘s goal is to take proactive steps utilizing the additional manpower created by the twelve-hour shifts to formulate programs that address the communities concerns.