By LARRY LANNAN
The Fishers City Council allowed the police department to use funds from a forfeiture account to pay for new gun racks in officers’ police vehicles, but not without a sharp discussion over use of this account. A total of $25,000 will be tapped from the forfeiture account to help pay for the gun racks. The vote was 8-1, with Jocelyn Vare the only “no” vote.
City Controller Lisa Bradford told the council there was $65,000 in the forfeiture account before the action Monday night. The city has no control over how much forfeiture money is allocated to local law enforcement. County Prosecutor Lee Buckingham, along with state and federal authorities, control how much forfeiture money is allocated to Fishers.
Vare and former Democrat council candidate Lane Skeeters had concerns about how the forfeiture program is administered overall.
Fishers Police Chief Ed Gebhart said a recent incident where a firearm was stolen from a police vehicle was largely due to the outdated gun racks.
In other news from Monday’s City Council meeting:
- The Council failed to get a unanimous vote for a drainage easement along the former railroad tracks at the airport when Councilor Vare voted no. The matter was approved for first reading. Vare says she has heard concerns from neighbors about proposed development at the airport and wants more time to go through the easement process.
- The Council approved establishment of a fund to receive federal money under the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Controller Bradford said the first installment of the funds should be coming to the city soon. The separate fund allows better tracking for this money because the ARP has restrictions on how the money can be spent and an accounting will be required to state and federal authorities.
- Fishers Public Health Director Monica Heltz praised the council for funding a new city health department in the middle of a pandemic, which she described as a “bold” move when the agency was established about one year ago. She reviewed a long list of statistics and reiterated the goal of having 85 percent of all Fishers residents COVID vaccinated by July.
- Fishers Police Lieutenant Norm Tate was honored for 25 years of service to the city.
- Council members said goodbye to Planning and Zoning Director Tony Bagato and council member Samantha DeLong. Bagato is leaving the city after five years to take a private sector position. DeLong’s family is moving to Las Vegas. Megan Schaefer will take over the directorship of the Planning and Zoning Department. Local Democrats will hold a caucus soon to select DeLong’s successor in the North Central District city council seat.