Civic Ticker

Fomby appointed Bloomington community engagement director

Nikesha Fomby introduces herself at Monday's (April 7, 2025) Traveling Town Hall, hosted by Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson.

A Tuesday (April 8) news release issued by the Bloomington mayor’s office announced the appointment of Nikeshia Fomby as the city's director of community engagement.

Fomby was introduced by Bloomington mayor Kerry Thomson on Monday night, at her Traveling Town Hall, which was held at the Banneker Community Center on the west side of downtown.

According to the news release, the position is supposed to “spearhead initiatives that promote transparency, foster collaboration, and elevate resident voices in city decision-making.”

Fomby will help build “sustainable relationships between the City and the community—ensuring that programs, services, and resources are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to diverse needs,” according to the news release.

Thomson is quoted in the news release saying, “Co-creating with the community means recognizing that every voice matters—not just during moments of celebration or crisis, but in the everyday work of building a city that reflects the people who call it home.”

Fomby taking the role with the city of Bloomington after serving most recently as the associate director for the Metropolitan Indianapolis Central Indiana Area Health Education Center (MICI-AHEC) at the University of Indianapolis.

Aja Jester appointed to vacant seat on MCCSC board

Aja Jester has been appointed to fill the District 7 vacancy on the MCCSC (Monroe County Community School Corporation) board. Making the appointment were the six members who remained, when the seat was left vacant after the resignation of Brandon Shurr on March 14. Jester is a finance specialist with

Former state police general counsel named jail transition director by Monroe County sheriff

At their regular Tuesday meeting, county councilors were introduced to Todd Smith as the new jail transition director. Making the introduction was Monroe County sheriff Ruben Marté. Smith is replacing Cory Grass who was appointed by Marté in late 2023 to head up the transition to a new jail facility.

First hearing on vote centers in Monroe County in the books, second one set for May 19

On Monday evening (April 7) starting at 5 p.m. in the Nat U. Hill Room of the Monroe County courthouse, the county election board listened to at least a dozen and a half people weigh in on the question of establishing vote centers in the county. Vote centers are

Read next