Local Government

In 2024, the city of Bloomington, as well as Monroe County government, leaned on general obligation (GO) bonds to finance capital improvements for 2025. But for the 2026 budget year, it looks like only the county government will be moving forward with a new bond issuance.

A judge has denied a request by three retired Indiana University professors for an preliminary injunction that would have allowed them to participate in faculty governance when the Bloomington Faculty Council convenes on Tuesday. The lawsuit will stay in court, to be heard eventually on its merits.

In the last month, there’s been new activity in a free speech lawsuit filed by Turning Point USA against Bloomington, after a court's ruling in late July found mostly in favor of the city. The IU Chapter of Turning Point USA wanted to paint an “All Lives Matter” mural on Kirkwood Avenue.

Bloomington’s drinking water has been without the recommended level of fluoride since late 2019, and city officials say it will be at least next year before the situation is resolved. But when fluoride levels are restored, the public will be notified. That’s according to CBU director Kat Zaiger.

When IU Health stops providing key public health services under a contract with Monroe County’s health department at the end of 2025, it’s not yet clear how the department will satisfy its responsibility under state law to provide those functions.

Since the demolition of the old NAPA Auto Parts building at the corner of 3rd and Walnut Streets in the third week of July, the block just south of 3rd Street, between College Avenue and Walnut, has been clanging with construction work on the Bloomington Convention Center expansion.