The City of Frankfort is safe, solvent, compassionate and growing in spite of a few challenges, headwinds and setbacks.
Frankfort’s Mayor Judy Sheets gathered with department heads on stage at the Neighborhood Center Tuesday evening to update citizens, community leaders and neighbors with a view of how the city is doing.
The evening was an opportunity to spotlight achievements in paving new streets, increased fire and police training numbers, safe surroundings and continued improvement in crime numbers, growing patrol areas to match growing city boundaries, increased housing, responsible and solvent fiscal numbers and a chance to award two Frankfort Citizens with the ‘Diamond of Excellence’ award in the Gem City.
Along with many positives, one of the most impactful announcements Sheets made Tuesday evening was to her decision to recommend to the Board of Works at Monday’s meeting, the closure of the TPA Park Petting Zoo. Pressure from USDA, potential legal issues, an aging animal population and increasingly expensive vet bills made the excruciating decision unavoidable, according to Sheets. The Mayor will recommend, for now, that the Aviary remain open while the City gathers data and information to determine what is best for the Aviary going forward.
While we captured some of the highlights of her address here, we encourage you to view the entire address available in thumbnail below. The entire address was carried LIVE on Hoosierland TV and available here: The Address starts at the 49:40 mark.
Frankfort’s annual 2025 budget is $23,393,751. It can be broken down approximately as follows:
Administrative Expenses: 30%
Public Safety/Fire/Police/Emergency: 48%
Streets and Sanitation: 13%
Parks and Recreation: 8%
Frankfort’s cash reserve at the end of 2024 was $7,749,000. Projected cash reserve for end of 2025 is estimated to be $7,516,000.
Sheets estimated the city is NOT receiving 21.7% or $2,600,000 uncollected revenue simply because of the state “circuit breaker” rule that prohibits tax increases that would otherwise be received by the city.
The ending cash balance for City and Utilities is $44,033,000. More detailed information is available in the attached video of the address.
Department Head Highlights:
- Introduced Rob Bogue, Senior Building Inspector. Maintains code compliance city-wide.
- Don Stock, Director of Planning and Housing Initiatives. Reported 14 new sidewalks worth $38,000. Continued city growth with Phase 1- Meadow Brook, Risse of Maish Road and growth in the Riley School District
- Kimberly Black, Community Development Director- Gem City Welcome Packets to new people and Jefferson residents, $215,000 secured in Grants, $32,000 Raised in Community Events, City of Frankfort United Way contributions totaled $39,000, progress on funding for Prairie Creek Park and new Parking lot near Veterans Park. More details available in video. 2025 goals include completing the Mural at Prairie Creek Park, EV Charging Stations and Welcome packets for new residents and businesses.
- Matt Stidham, Fire Chief: Expects ground breaking for new Fire station in May or June. Fire Department completed 906 hours of training, 2.5% increase above last year with 588 classes. Fire Department, EMS, Hazardous materials had 2103 total calls in 2024, 5% over 2023.
- Ryan Edgar, Interim Parks Superintendent: Mayor will swear in April 14. Last year 5 new roofs were installed by Tornado Roofing at TPA park, Dorner Park saw big improvements with Pickle Ball and Dog Park. Festival of Lights at TPA park recieved $65,000 in donations and gave away over 10,000 candy canes. Season #3 at Saphbire Bay raised $108,000 in 2024, about 5 fold OVER what old pool raised. Park department hosted activity with Easter Egg Hunt and Prairie Creek Park Concerts, 4th of July in the park with 37 venders and 10,000 people in attendance. RAICES Festival had its first parade and over 40 venders. 2,000 to 3,000 attended this festival.
- Scott Shoemaker, Police Chief. Frankfort Police Department received state recognition and certification credited to fewer than 5% of Police Departments in the State. Other Police Department Highlights:
- 26% decrease in Drug Violations
- Started patrolling 5 more miles on 28 and 1 mile on I-65
- 8,083 training hours/218 hours per officer
- 0 homicides
- 7 Rapes (down 30%)
- 3 Robberies (down 25%)
- 199 Assaults (down 12%)
- 23 Burglaries (down 43%)
- 143 Larceny Theft (down 32%)
- 12 Vehicle Theft (down 64%)
- Drone Unit added to force with 6 officers and CSI officer
Brian Kilman-Interim Street Superintendent. Sheets will swear in Kilman April 14th. $700,000 funding was used for 3 miles of paving in the City Limits. Grants also came on line for training and equipment. 100 new homes added services on March 25 with no complaints. 350 tons of salt were purchased. Frankfort is once again applying for Phase 3 Maish Road Project worth 10.2 million dollars. If granted, the funding will be 20% city and 80% federal dollars. This will be the third attempt to receive this important infrastructure grant.
Mayor Sheets presented the “Diamond of Excellence” Award to Brady and Tabitha Posey for contributions in volunteerism, championing community and supporting local organizations and businesses. Sheets challenged everyone to sustain this Christ-like model of service to community.
Frankfort’s growth and future, Sheets said, is built on six pillars:
1) Vibrant Downtown
2) Thriving Parks and Green Spaces
3) Welcoming, Neighborly Atmosphere
4) Clean Neighborhoods and Safe Housing
5) Accessible Mental Health Resources
6) Continued Collaboration with County for Decision Making
Sheets reminded the audience her doors are open and phone lines ready for calls from residents of Frankfort who have input and suggestions for what can be done to “better our community” with the reminder that “Negativity does not move us forward.”
English
Español