By Dan Domsic
Fishers’ future will be in the hands of its citizens sooner than expected.
On July 1, Senate Bill 343, will take effect. By law and barring any unforeseen ordinances enacted, the Town of Fishers must then put the mayoral election on the next general election, according to Hamilton County Elections Administrator Kathy Richardson.
The bill was signed into law on May 8 and authored by Sen. Randy Head, according to Openstates.org.
It tackles several issues surrounding the reorganization of political subdivisions and more – the center of heated debates during last year’s referenda.
Fishers’ voters’ first step to elect their mayor will come in May 2014 during the primary and will be followed by the general election in November 2014.
“The new dates, according to the recently amended Indiana Code, give us a roadmap to follow in the transition to become a city,” Fishers Town Council President John Weingardt stated in a news release. “In the next few months, Fishers residents can expect the Town to actively communicate every step we will take before Jan. 1, 2015.”
Weingardt said he and the town learned of the new code’s implications on June 13.
The town must redistrict to accommodate the new council seats that will be added as the town transforms to a second-class city by the end of 2013.
Six councilors will be elected by district, and the remaining three will be elected at large.
In addition to having a new city council to elect, Fishers residents will elect a city clerk, according to a news release from the Town of Fishers.
“It’s (elections) coming to fruition in a timely manner, as was voted on by the Fishers residents (in 2012),” Brian Baehl, member of pro second-class city PAC CitYes, said.
Baehl worked with legislators on the bill.
The clock is ticking for Fishers political heavyweights and those who may want to step into the ring.
Richardson said candidates have from Jan. 8, 2014 until Feb. 7, 2014 to file.
A candidate cannot run for the mayor’s office and for a city council seat.
The town cites amended Ind. Code Section 36-4-1.5-3 and 36-4-6-3 for the elections taking place in 2014 and redistricting, respectively.