Local Government

Bloomington utilities approved a settlement letting Habitat for Humanity get water service for Phase 2 of Osage Place while a Phase 1 stormwater dispute continues. Habitat will withdraw its appeal, and CBU keeps authority to require approved drainage fixes by Oct. 30, 2027. The vote was unanimous.

Early voting for the Nov. 3 election began Tuesday at Monroe County’s North Showers building. About a half-dozen voters waited outside in 42-degree air before the 8 a.m. opening. Clerk Nicole Browne gave the legally required proclamation that the polls were open.

Bloomington is seeking architects to design a new police headquarters at 714 S. Rogers St., with proposals due Nov. 6. The city wants to reuse as much of the 56,000-square-foot former convalescent center as possible while keeping construction costs at or below $30 million.

Monroe County’s jail population fell to 231 on Oct. 3, down six from a week earlier. The 10-day rolling average dropped to about 233. Over 75 days, the jail has averaged 238 people. Of the 247 jailed on July 21, 108 were still there Oct. 3.

Early voting starts Oct. 6 in Monroe County, with absentee voting ahead of the 2022 pace. Election officials report 1,348 ballots issued and 265 returned. A judge also upheld the state’s “sore loser” law, blocking Joe Davis as a write-in for the county clerk race.

Bloomington council president Isak Asare floated new personnel and organizational cuts during Wednesday’s 2027 budget work session. They including changes to the mayor’s communications operation and the economic and sustainable development department. Votes on changes are expected Oct. 7.