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Monroe County’s election board is preparing for 2026 under a tight budget. Thursday's meeting featured debate about whether to cut early voting hours and reduce Election Day polling sites. The debate over vote centers also resurfaced.

On Wednesday, Bloomington’s council unanimously rejected a four-fold septic hauling rate hike but agreed some increase is needed. Councilmembers are hoping for rates that distinguish between holding tanks and drain-field systems. CBU is expected to return in 2026 with a different proposal.

Bloomington controller Jessica McClellan will leave her post later this month, and former county councilor Geoff McKim is set to take over in January. Mayor Kerry Thomson praised both officials in announcing the transition. McKim will resign from the CIB to assume the role of controller

The Bloomington council unanimously approved a fiscal plan for annexing a single Cory Drive parcel but stressed it doesn’t necessarily support annexation or rezoning. Neighbors questioned missing cost estimates, and raised karst and “service island” concerns ahead of Dec. 17 votes.

Bloomington’s board of public works has opted to repair the iconic brick sidewalks on Kirkwood Avenue, not repour them with stamped concrete, awarding E&B Paving a $491,600 contract to remove trip hazards and stabilize the base. With three additional projects, E&B won $1.18M in city work on Tuesday.

Bloomington’s RDC delayed action on a revised resolution that could make the $7M College Square property available at little or no cost for a proposed host hotel. City councilmembers objected, citing past commitments, as doubts persist about Dora Hospitality’s funding gap.

HB 1032, set for hearing Tuesday, would redraw Indiana’s congressional map mid-decade under pressure from President Trump. The proposal drops compactness scores by half and permits precinct-splitting for 2026. Starting the bill in the House will force Senate Republicans to take a make-or-break vote.