Shaffer compares Carmel & Fishers

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Dear Editor:

Now that Carmel and Fishers have virtually identical populations, it’s fair to critically compare simple facts.

Carmel has spent about a half-billion dollars on roundabouts, presumably to make driving safer. Fishers hasn’t spent the money but, in the last three years, had virtually the same safety record as Carmel, according to police reports from both cities.

Last year there were 2,009 traffic accidents in Fishers and 2,065 in Carmel. In COVID year 2020, Fishers experienced 1,640 accidents to Carmel’s 1,607.

In 2019, Fishers recorded 2,097 accidents and Carmel, 2,064.

So much for roundie spending.

Carmel’s total outstanding debt now is 53 percent higher than Fishers, and its 2023 debt service (principal and interest) payments will be just 11 percent higher as Fishers taxpayers pay off debt faster than Carmel’s.

All of this explains why Fishers’ per-capita debt is $8,989, and Carmel’s is $18,633, according to data both cities provided the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. Much of Carmel’s debt is redevelopment debt, but the basic principal borrowed by the two cities shows Carmel’s to be three times that of Fishers.

You get the picture. Two cities. One spending like there’s no tomorrow and the other, acting less irresponsibly.

Bill Shaffer
Carmel