Local Government

Bloomington city councilmembers sharply questioned whether a $37,900 community survey that intentionally de-emphasized IU students could reliably guide policy or spending. They also challenged its low response rate, wording, accessibility and lack of useful comparisons.

Bloomington’s proposed 2027 budget has dropped. It authorizes $165.7 million in spending, excluding utilities and debt funds. It provides a 2.7% COLA for employees, and no net new full-time jobs. It taps general fund reserves for $5.47 million. City council review starts Aug. 17.

Bloomington’s RDC heard rival $4 million College Square proposals Monday but made no decision. Concord’s hotel-and-housing plan depends on CIB cooperation and a reversal of its convention center host-hotel choice; Dora’s stand-alone plan pairs a boutique hotel with market-rate housing.

Bloomington’s 2026 community survey found general satisfaction with quality of life, but a lot of concern about affordable housing, homelessness, streets and sidewalks, and the local economy. City councilmembers will receive a presentation at their Wednesday meeting.

Bloomington’s RDC will hear two competing College Square proposals Monday: Concord would put a 160-room convention hotel there and housing south of the convention center. Dora proposes a 135-room boutique hotel and 100 apartments on the block. Both value the land at $4 million.

Monroe County transferred six IDOC-linked inmates to Brown County this past week. The move comes as population in the Monroe County facility population trends upward and the county faces fresh ACLU scrutiny. The move shifts $35-a-day state payments to Brown County.