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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.

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.

As fixed-route use slips, Bloomington Transit works on unified marketing, microtransit expansion

As fixed-route use slips, Bloomington Transit works on unified marketing, microtransit expansion

Bloomington Transit is developing a 2026 initiative called “Bloomington Transit for Everyone,” aimed at unifying messaging across fixed routes and BLink microtransit. The initiative comes as fixed-route ridership continues to fall. BT is also exploring expanded BLink hours and citywide coverage.

Bloomington rejects all 5 bids for Hopewell East, plans new offering in 2026

Bloomington rejects all 5 bids for Hopewell East, plans new offering in 2026

Bloomington’s redevelopment commission has rejected all five bids for Hopewell East, which was released as a $6.1 million public offering a year ago. A revised public offering is expected in 2026 as the city looks for closer alignment with its housing goals at the former hospital site.

Richland-Ellettsville consolidation proposal could feature rural–urban tax differences

Richland-Ellettsville consolidation proposal could feature rural–urban tax differences

At a joint meeting Friday, Ellettsville and Richland Township officials reviewed how a possible 2027 consolidation could structure taxes and services across rural and urban areas. Reorganization committee appointments will come soon.