Aug. 17, 2026: Bloomington budget scrutiny, Showers West settlements, jail capacity, Powerline Camp

Civic Solver

We’re skipping the puzzle this week, because we just ran out of time. We hope to have a new one for you next week.

Weather Talk

Based on the National Weather Service forecast in text and charts here’s some advice.

Monday: If you’re heading out after 7 a.m., you can probably get away without an umbrella or other raingear. But the likelihood of showers and thunderstorms before then could be as high as 70%. The rest of the day will be partly sunny, with a high near 83F°.

Tuesday: Slow down. Slow way down. Move-in for Indiana University students starts Tuesday, so it’s a chance for everyone to be patient and helpful in traffic. Dress cool and don’t worry about any rain. It will be sunny, with a high near 84F°.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system

Recent articles

• Bloomington to pay $381K to settle Showers West disputes after court losses.  Bloomington’s redevelopment commission is set Monday to ratify $381,650 in settlements with two Showers West tenants after losing both lease disputes in circuit court. One tenant also gets a year of free rent, ending a legal fight over the city’s effort to clear private occupants from the building.
• Sunday Funnies: Hawk v. Fish.  What does Coach Cignetti say, after a preseason scrimmage, when the quarterback kick the ball to the defensive unit? Did the quarterback really mean to do that?
• Monroe County property transfers through Aug. 12, 2026.  This report includes new property transfers in Monroe County that haven’t previously been reported by The B Square, with dates ranging from July 30 to Aug. 12, 2026. The data in this report comes from Beacon, the county’s online geographic information system for property and parcel data.
• Monroe County jail notebook: Population count dips below one functional capacity benchmark.  Monroe County’s jail population fell from 247 to 227 over 25 days. But the snapshots mask heavy turnover: 220 people left, with a median stay of 3 days. The Aug. 14 count dipped below the ACLU’s 229-person capacity estimate, but remained 41 above Sheriff Ruben Marté’s 186-person figure.
• Bloomington’s $165.7M draft budget for 2027 faces first public scrutiny by city council on Monday.  On Monday, Bloomington’s city council begins four nights of departmental budget presentations covering mayor Kerry Thomson’s $165.7-million proposal for 2027. Written questions already target a $5.47-million general fund gap, vacant positions, and evidence that spending produces measurable results
• Second shots-fired report at Powerline Camp, Monroe County mulls moving up Sept. 1 deadline.  A second report of gunfire near Monroe County’s Powerline Camp has renewed pressure to close the encampment before Sept. 1. For now, commissioners are keeping the deadline, while the sheriff’s office works on a plan to prevent the county-owned Thomson property from being reoccupied.
• Monroe County commissioners rebut councilor over justice building conditions.  Monroe County commissioners pushed back against a councilor’s criticism of their response to sewage damage at the justice center, saying remediation began promptly. They also approved about $118,000 in carpet and building-controls work while describing the aging building as in poor condition.

On the calendar

First night of Bloomington departmental budget presentations. Set for 5:30 p.m. on Monday (Aug. 17) is the first of four nights, over the course of two weeks, of departmental budget presentations to the Bloomington city council. For B Square background see: Bloomington’s $165.7M draft budget for 2027 faces first public scrutiny by city council on Monday

$381K settlement with Showers West tenants. On the 5 p.m. Monday (Aug. 17) meeting agenda for Bloomington’s redevelopment commission (RDC) is the ratification of settlement agreements with two Showers West tenants. For B Square background, see Bloomington to pay $381K to settle Showers West disputes after court losses

Contract with new transit management company. On the 5:30 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 18) meeting agenda for the Bloomington Transit board is the approval of a contract with a new management firm. The decision to go with Keolis instead of renewing an arrangement with RATP Dev was made at the board’s July meeting. For B Square background see: Bloomington Transit picks new management firm on split vote, ending Connell’s tenure

Regular CIB monthly meeting. Set for Wednesday (Aug. 19) at 3 p.m. is the regular monthly meeting of the Monroe County capital improvement board (CIB), which is overseeing the expansion of the Bloomington Convention Center. No agenda is posted yet for the meeting.

Actual ice cream for Traffic Cones: Aug. 26! Hats off to Bloomington’s planning and transportation crew for the greatest name and concept for a public engagement event ever. Free ice cream from Chocolate Moose just for talking about traffic! From the official announcement: “Curious about bike lanes, sidewalks, transit, traffic safety, trails, or future projects? Stop by and chat with a City planner over ice cream! ... As a thank you for stopping by, you’ll receive a free ice cream from Chocolate Moose. This event is part of the City’s August safety week.” The event runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard Garden Gala: Aug. 28. Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard will hold its annual Garden Gala fundraiser Friday, Aug. 28, from 6:30–9 p.m. at 1100 W. Allen St. The evening will include a light dinner, drinks, live music by Don’t Call Me Betty, a photo booth, community art projects and a raffle featuring prizes from local businesses. Tickets cost $45, with sponsored tickets also available for community members. Proceeds support MHC’s accessible garden and kitchen education programs.

Secretly 30th Anniversary: Magnolia & Johnson Electric: Aug. 27. Magnolia & Johnson Electric Co., Early Day Miners and June Panic perform Thursday, Aug. 27, at the Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; music starts at 7:30 p.m. Ages 21 and older: tickets.

Secretly 30th Anniversary: Sharon Van Etten and Kevin Morby: Aug. 28. Sharon Van Etten, Kevin Morby and Jordan Patterson perform Friday, Aug. 28, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m.; music starts at 7 p.m. All ages: tickets.

Secretly 30th Anniversary: Durand Jones & The Indications: Aug. 29. Durand Jones & The Indications, Jensen McRae and Angela Autumn perform Saturday, Aug. 29, at Switchyard Park, 1601 S. Rogers St. Doors open at 5 p.m.; music starts at 6 p.m. All ages: tickets.

New Leaf New Life benefit book event: Sept. 23. Authors Chastidy Mader, Ryan Mader, Nordia McNish and Trunnis Goggins II will discuss resilience, recovery, purpose and second chances Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6–8 p.m. at Redbud Books, 408 W. Kirkwood Ave. Tickets cost $20, with $12 from each ticket benefiting New Leaf New Life, which supports people affected by incarceration and reentry.

Meet Angel!

This very, very good girl is a mix of Labrador retriever and hound. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about Angel:

Seeking a Guardian Angel? Meet Our Little Angel! Are you looking for a love that’s heaven-sent? Meet Angel, a precious 2-year-old girl who is ready to bring pure joy to a loving home. Angel can be a little shy at first—she’s just a cautious soul who likes to make sure the world is safe before she spreads her wings! But don’t let that fool you; she warms up quickly and once she trusts you, she’s a total lovebug who will shower you with devotion. When she’s not curling up beside you, Angel is a playful girl who gets super excited to meet other dogs! She would absolutely love a home with a confident canine buddy to show her the ropes, or she'll happily take all your affection to herself.

Photo Finish: 6th Street & Walnut Street

The Photo Finish items are drawn from the B There section of the B Square website.

Thanks for reading. I hope your week is off to a great start!

Dave Askins
734-645-2633
dave@bsquarebulletin.com

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