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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.

MCPL trustees consider shortening downtown library hours in response to state tax cuts

MCPL trustees consider shortening downtown library hours in response to state tax cuts

The Monroe County Public Library may reduce hours at its downtown location as tax cuts passed by the Republican-led Indiana legislature in April threaten more than $300,000 in MCPL funding next year. The library might close at 7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday every week.

SRO housing, commercial urban agriculture proposals to get second look from Bloomington’s plan commission

SRO housing, commercial urban agriculture proposals to get second look from Bloomington’s plan commission

Deliberations about where in Bloomington single-resident occupancy residences can be built will resume at the city plan commission’s next meeting on Aug. 11. The same goes for a potential ordinance that would create a new zoning district for commercial agriculture inside city limits.

Bloomington goes a year without telling residents it can’t fluoridate drinking water

Bloomington goes a year without telling residents it can’t fluoridate drinking water

The city where fluoride toothpaste was invented has been unable to reliably add fluoride to its drinking water for years—and Bloomington officials never notified the public, even after they decided to forgo fluoridating the water supply while waiting for repairs.

Hearing on public commenting policy for Monroe County’s board of health: Just one person speaks

Hearing on public commenting policy for Monroe County’s board of health: Just one person speaks

The Monroe County Board of Health held a meeting Monday afternoon (July 14) for the sole purpose of hearing public comment, as board members seek input about the public comment policy draft that was made public last month. Just one public comment was offered at Monday's hearing.

Bloomington gives self-storage project more time to get permit—but just 3 months, not a year

Bloomington gives self-storage project more time to get permit—but just 3 months, not a year

At the Bloomington plan commission’s regular Monday night meeting, the already approved site plan for a 110,000-square-foot self-storage building on the east side of Bloomington got a three-month extension—beyond the one year that site plans are normally valid.

Monroe County election equipment contract OK’d—with background checks added

Monroe County election equipment contract OK’d—with background checks added

This past Thursday, Monroe County commissioners approved a new two-year contract with B&L IT Services for election-related technical work, which totalled $350,000. The contract was amended to include a requirement for background checks for B&L subcontractors.

State AG, Monroe County sheriff spar over ICE detainers; local immigration lawyer says they're unconstitutional

State AG, Monroe County sheriff spar over ICE detainers; local immigration lawyer says they're unconstitutional

There’s been no new activity in the pending lawsuit filed by Indiana AG Todd Rokita against Monroe County sheriff Ruben Marté over the county’s policy on enforcement of immigration law. But on Thursday, Rokita accused Marté of failing to honor a detainer request from ICE for Manuel Lopez Lopez.