Carmichael to step down as Bloomington deputy mayor, Hamilton taps assistant city attorney for job
Mary Catherine Carmichael is stepping down as Bloomington’s deputy mayor effective July 28.
Assistant city attorney Larry Allen has been appointed by Bloomington mayor John Hamilton to replace Carmichael starting July 29.
That’s according to a news release from the mayor’s office around noon on Friday.
The news marks the first of what could be additional transitions at city hall, ahead of the anticipated inauguration of a new mayor, Kerry Thomson, to start 2024. Thomson won the Democratic Party primary, and there’s no opponent on the Nov. 7 ballot.
There is a longshot chance that a challenge by independent mayoral hopeful Joe Davis—over several disqualified signatures on his petitions—could result in a contested mayoral race.
The date of Carmichael’s effective departure will make Carmichael’s tenure as deputy mayor about seven months. She was appointed to the post starting on Jan. 1 of this year.
Carmichael has served in the Hamilton administration since 2016, first as communications director and then as the director for public engagement. She was appointed as deputy mayorship to replace Don Griffin, who resigned the job effective Dec. 31, 2022, in order to run for mayor, a bid that was not successful. Hamilton did not seek reelection.
Griffin was appointed as deputy mayor in April of 2021, succeeding Mick Renneisen, who retired.
Allen has served as an assistant city attorney since February of 2018, according to Friday’s news release. The news release describes his previous work experience as deputy attorney general specializing in appeals for the state of Indiana.
According to the news release, Allen is a graduate of Bloomington High School North, completed his undergraduate education at Olivet Nazarene University, earned a master’s in public affairs at Indiana University, and completed his law degree at the IU McKinney School of Law. According to the news release the annual salary for deputy mayor is $120,913.
Allen provides the legal staff support for Bloomington’s redevelopment commission (RDC), which means he has been involved in projects like the redevelopment of the former IU Health hospital site (Hopewell), and the acquisition of Showers West, which is part of the city hall building. Showers West is expected to be the future location of Bloomington’s police department.
Allen also serves as a litigator for the city, and is currently playing a role in the ongoing annexation lawsuits.
Allen served as the treasurer for Don Griffin’s mayoral campaign and before that as treasurer for John Hamilton’s campaign.
