Oct. 16, 2025: Hotel deal, county budget, postponed health decisions

Weather Talk

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

Thursday: Start the day with a light jacket or a sweater to ward off the chill but if you are a hearty sort you might be able to get away without it, because the overnight low will be in the mid-50s. Don’t worry about staying dry, because it’s not going to rain, even though it might look like it’s going to on account of all the clouds. The forecasted high is around 71F°.

Friday: Rinse, repeat from Thursday, with a high of 73F°.

Sign up for weather alerts: Monroe County emergency alert system.

Roundup of recent articles

• CIB gives mid-December ultimatum on Bloomington’s convention center hotel deal.  The effort to secure a host hotel supporting the Bloomington Convention Center expansion has lagged behind the expansion project itself. On Wednesday, the CIB gave Dora Hospitality and Bloomington’s RDC a mid-December deadline to show progress on a real estate deal.
• Monroe County adopts $131M budget—big decisions still ahead on public health, $6M in bonds.  The 2026 budget for Monroe County government, with about $113 million in approved spending, was adopted on Tuesday night by the county council. But the council put off votes on new health department positions and the issuance of $6 million in GO bonds.
• Monroe County 2026 budget set for vote: Balanced with help from economic development, jail funds.  Set for a vote on Tuesday by the Monroe County council is a budget for 2026 that shows a total of about $131 million in approved spending. In addition to the budget the council will consider new positions in the health department and a $6-million general obligation bond.

Quick notes

Survey: Public health services. Yes, I know there’s a certain fatigue for surveys—there’s just so many of them. But when your local government asks for your feedback on your own perspective, I think it’s worth considering. This one is from the Monroe County health department on your view of public health services. For example, how important do you think access to vaccinations is? How about access to free blood pressure screenings? Here’s the link: public health services survey.

On the calendar

Board of county commissioners. There is no meeting of the Monroe County commissioners on Thursday (Oct. 16).

Board of health. Set to meet at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday (Oct. 16) is Monroe County’s board of health. A likely topic of conversation is the county council’s postponement of the health department’s request to hire nurses to provide the contractual public health services that will be terminated by IU Health at the end of the year.

Building housing at Hopewell. On Monday (Oct. 20) at 3:30 p.m. in city council chambers, Flintlock LAB will host a kickoff event for the Hopewell South project project. The meeting is designed for home builders, designers, financiers, and community partners to learn about the project’s goals and timeline and participate in discussions on housing, permitting, construction, residential design, and related topics. For B Square background, see: Bloomington rejects 2 Hopewell bids, sets new course ‘democratizing neighborhood development’

Vote centers. Looking ahead to next week, on Thursday (Oct. 23) 1:30 p.m. a special meeting will be held on vote centers. For B Square background see: Push now to reopen Monroe County vote center debate resisted by board chair, clerk

Hoosier Hills Food Bank Community Book Fair: Oct 16. Hoosier Hills Food Bank will present the 41st Annual Community Book Fair from October 16-21, 2025 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds. The event will feature a wide selection of two buildings worth of books, games, puzzles, movies and music at bargain prices to support the food bank’s hunger relief programs.

Pumpkin Launch: Oct 25. The city of Bloomington hosts a competition every year involving the construction of a contraption to fling a pumpkin as far as possible. It’s Pumpkin Launch! The deadline for entry is Oct. 15. The competition itself takes place on Oct. 25. For past B Square coverage of Pumpkin Launch: Photos: Cold rain can’t squash Pumpkin Launch 2021

Little 500 fall racing series: Nov. 1, Nov. 2. Mark your calendar for Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 for cyclocross and street sprints.

Meet Lily!

This very, very good girl is a German pinscher. Here’s what the shelter staff have written about Lily:

Lily is an energetic, fun-loving pup who has never met a toy she didn't have a blast with! In her previous home, Lily didn't get many chances to experience new things, and can take a little time to feel secure with new people and new environments. She's an A+ student who LOVES learning, and all the training treats that come with it. Give this sweet girl a chance and she'll steal your heart!

Photo Finish: High Street & Wimbleton Lane

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

Thanks for reading. I hope you have a great weekend!

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