FRANKFORT, Ind. — Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Friday with a recollection of that day, then updated residents on the city’s economic growth, housing developments, a delayed fire station project and a tight municipal budget during her regular appearance on WILO’s “Party Line” program.
Remembering 9/11
Sheets recalled working at the Frankfort Police Department when the attacks unfolded 25 years ago.
“It’s something I’ll never forget. It was a very scary time, I think, for our nation,” Sheets said. “We had a TV in dispatch, and we were all standing around the TV in the dispatch area trying to figure out what was going to happen next.”
With her daughter away at the University of Indianapolis for her freshman year, and Grissom Air Force Base nearby, Sheets said the uncertainty of the day weighed heavily.
“Nobody really knew what to expect,” she said. “I was kind of in a panic mode at that time. I didn’t know, do I go get her, do I stay here? We just didn’t know.”
Sheets said the Frankfort Fire Department organized a memorial walk Friday morning to honor those affected by the attacks, with participants — including police officers, firefighters and community members — starting at the fairgrounds, passing the Veterans Memorial Park on the south side of the square, continuing to Station 2, and ending at fire headquarters on Clay Street.
A concert benefiting the fire department was scheduled for Friday evening at Prairie Creek Park from 5 to 10 p.m., featuring performances by Penthouse Suite and Crowd Therapy.
Economic and downtown growth
Sheets pointed to a low county unemployment rate and continued investment in the local industrial park, which she said has seen several million dollars in expansions over the past five years. She noted Frankfort is home to one of Frito-Lay’s largest production operations in the country; the company has had two plants in Frankfort for more than 30 years and previously invested $159 million and $70 million in expansions there. The city is also hoping to bring in an economic development firm to work alongside the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, city and county.
Downtown Frankfort continues to add businesses, Sheets said, citing a new salon, Settle and Steel, along with a recently opened restaurant, boutiques and other shops.
“We are growing. We do have economic growth,” Sheets said. “It’s just sometimes I think we overlook it.”
Housing developments underway
Several residential projects are moving forward, according to Sheets:
– Meadowbrook is entering phase two, with a home from the Indiana Builders Association’s Building Trades program underway along with additional homes.
– The Risse Addition off Sunrise Street is moving forward with a national homebuilder involved, Sheets said.
– A local contractor is also building in the area, and Riley School’s development is nearly full with a few lots remaining.
– Habitat for Humanity recently held another ribbon-cutting for a new home.
Asked where she’d like to see future development, Sheets said she favors expansion to the west, near the industrial park, to give employees an easier commute, as well as growth to the east.
“My goal is to get people living right here in Frankfort, also working here … being a part of our community,” she said.
New fire station delayed to late November
Construction on Frankfort’s new fire station, which will also serve as a training facility, is now expected to be completed by late November rather than the original September target, Sheets said, citing typical construction delays.
The station’s location near the industrial park and interstate will provide critical coverage as development continues in that area, she said, adding that the move should also ease pressure on nearby volunteer fire departments that currently respond to calls in the area.
Budget outlook tight ahead of November deadline
Sheets said the city’s 2027 budget process is underway on a tight timeline, with the budget due to be adopted by Nov. 2 and submitted to the state by Nov. 9. Two public hearings are required before the city council adopts the ordinance.
“Things are tight, I’m not going to deny that,” Sheets said, adding the outlook could worsen in coming years without further state reform to property and income tax structures.
If cuts are necessary, Sheets said she would look first at capital and equipment purchases — such as delaying vehicle replacements — before considering staffing or service reductions.
“Your employees and those necessary things, you don’t want to cut those,” she said. “We just want to make sure that we can make cuts in other areas.”
Asked where she’d like more funding, Sheets cited employee pay and benefits, as well as the parks department, noting that two small pieces of playground equipment installed this year and last cost a combined $100,000.
A caller urged the mayor to consider raises for the street department, comparable to police and fire, even if it meant a property tax increase. Sheets responded that street department work — including trash pickup, snow removal and recycling — is funded entirely through a self-funded utility fee rather than property taxes. She noted crews have resurfaced every alley in the city this year, including repairs after summer rain damage.
Holiday lights and upcoming events
Sheets said crews will begin sorting and testing the city’s Christmas light displays within the next week ahead of the holiday season, noting Frankfort’s display has climbed into the state’s top five and onto a national list. The display is funded largely through donations, she said.
Sheets also reminded residents of two upcoming community events:
– A ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated Crawford Family Basketball Courts at TPA Park, a roughly $75,000 project supported by NHK and other local sponsors, set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.
– The fire department-sponsored concert at Prairie Creek Park Friday evening from 5 to 10 p.m., featuring Penthouse Suite and Crowd Therapy.
Mayor Sheets appears regularly on WILO’s “Party Line” program.
