By MARK HALL
Guest Column
For my entire voting life, I’ve been told “all elections matter,” “all votes matter” and they most certainly do. The 2019 Noblesville municipal elections are no exception; in fact I believe they are especially important for 2020 as we elect and transition into a new administration. But the data shows that this election is also critical for 2050 when our city will look vastly different.
In speaking with voters, we hear the excitement about a new Mayor and a transition of local government leadership. We listen to concerns over traffic, roads, protecting downtown, transparency, first responders, opioids, the arts, attracting businesses, parking and quality of life. These are among the many issues that the next Mayor and Council must address head on.
While not diminishing any immediate issue, the 2019 elections are also critical for 2050 Noblesville. The policies that our next administration implement will determine if and how Noblesville will grow. Let’s look at the numbers. According to the United States Census Bureau we have almost 62,000 residents in Noblesville, up 18 percent since 2010.
Last May, the Indiana Business Research Center projected that Hamilton County will grow to become the second largest county in Indiana by 2050 with a net increase of 218,000 residents.
Local elected officials agreed that Westfield and Noblesville will likely see the largest population growth as Fishers and Carmel reach full buildout. If half of the new residents choose Noblesville, our city moves past Evansville becoming one of the most populated cities in Indiana.
The argument that this election matters more than most to the citizenry of Noblesville is sound. How the next administration plans for and executes against projected growth will define the quality of life in 2050 Noblesville. Picture in your mind the differences required in a city with 150,000 residents verses Noblesville today with 62,000 residents: City services, police, traffic, fire, ambulance, parks, transportation, green space and general infrastructure to name a few. The list goes go on and on but leave it to be said that it will be dramatically different in 2050 Noblesville.
As individuals, we plan for our future and so must our local government. City officials will not get any “mulligans” on this one – they must get it right. They need to recognize and plan for growth, monitor the progress and adjust if or as needed. Growth like this requires steady fiscal policies, sound accountable leadership and an abundance of communication.
The administration that we elect in 2019 will take on the immediate challenges. They deserve our support and encouragement. At the same time, the new administration must be mindful of and have an eye towards 2050 Noblesville when our children and grandchildren are living with the consequences of policy that began in 2020.
Mark Hall is a candidate for Noblesville Common Council in District 1.