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Local Government

Articles in this section cover Bloomington city council, the mayor's office, Monroe County's board of commissioners, county council, and all the other local units.

Bloomington may increase towing fee limits, end partial payment option, start storage clock quicker

Bloomington may increase towing fee limits, end partial payment option, start storage clock quicker

Bloomington’s city council on Dec. 3 will consider changes to two towing ordinances that raise the maximum charge from $135 to $150, eliminate the 20% release-payment option, shorten the storage-fee clock from 24 to 12 hours, and allow a $75 after-hours pickup fee.

Bloomington eyes big hike in septic disposal fees, would still cover just half the cost

Bloomington eyes big hike in septic disposal fees, would still cover just half the cost

On Dec. 3, Bloomington’s city council will consider an ordinance raising the septic dumping rate at the Dillman Road plant from about 2 cents to 8 cents per gallon—a four-fold increase. A study showed current charges no longer cover treatment costs.

Monroe County, Bloomington area to see heavy patrols, sobriety checkpoints for holiday travel

Monroe County, Bloomington area to see heavy patrols, sobriety checkpoints for holiday travel

Bloomington police and other local agencies will boost traffic enforcement from Nov. 26 through year’s end, staffing sobriety checkpoints and conducting saturation patrols as part of Indiana’s Safe Family Travel campaign. A B Square review found about 5% of recent jail bookings involved OWI charges.

Convention center notebook: Extra costs include foundation change for sanitary sewer; art project draws 180 applications

Convention center notebook: Extra costs include foundation change for sanitary sewer; art project draws 180 applications

Bloomington’s convention center expansion has used about 13% of its $2.4M contingency as steel goes up on the $52M project. The CIB also heard an update on the $520K public-art effort, which drew 180 applicants and is expected to be narrowed to five finalists by mid-December.

Monroe County posts three nursing jobs to bridge public health service gap, looks to Morgan County for help

Monroe County posts three nursing jobs to bridge public health service gap, looks to Morgan County for help

Monroe County has posted three public-health nursing jobs and is pursuing a short-term interlocal agreement with Morgan County to help cover vaccinations and screenings after a contract with IU Health ends Jan. 1, 2026. The board was updated at is Thursday meeting.

Bloomington OKs up to three single-room rentals in owner-occupied houses

Bloomington OKs up to three single-room rentals in owner-occupied houses

Bloomington’s city council voted 7–2 to allow up to three SRO bedrooms in owner-occupied homes in R1–R4 zones, with limits including conditional-use review, owner residency, and a two-year 150-foot buffer. Supporters cited affordability; dissenters warned of investor work-around..

CIB braces for no-deal scenario with preferred hotelier on Bloomington Convention Center

CIB braces for no-deal scenario with preferred hotelier on Bloomington Convention Center

Negotiations between Bloomington and Dora Hospitality over the former Bunger & Robertson site appear stalled, with a Dec. 17 deadline looming. A major funding gap remains, prompting the CIB to prepare backup options—including revisiting the 2024 hotel RFP—if no agreement is reached.