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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.

Monroe County commissioners warn: Council’s ‘no’ vote may shift jail’s future to federal court

Monroe County commissioners warn: Council’s ‘no’ vote may shift jail’s future to federal court

After the Monroe County council on Tuesday rejected funding to buy land for a new jail, county commissioners warned on Thursday that the decision could hand control of jail planning to a federal judge, when the ACLU settlement expires on Jan. 15 2026.

Monroe County council unanimously rejects North Park jail site funding after marathon meeting

Monroe County council unanimously rejects North Park jail site funding after marathon meeting

At a marathon Monroe County Council meeting on Tuesday, the appropriation ordinance to pay for the purchase of the North Park property for a new jail was met with unified resistance from both the council and the public, culminating in a 0–7 vote on the item.

Hamilton, Zietlow write joint letter against building new Monroe County jail

Hamilton, Zietlow write joint letter against building new Monroe County jail

At Tuesday’s Monroe County council meeting, former Bloomington mayor John Hamilton read a letter that he and Charlotte Zietlow wrote in opposition to a new jail for Monroe County. The council unanimously voted down an appropriation to fund the purchase of North Park as a new jail site.

Crowded Bloomington town hall comes same day as governor’s call for special legislative session on redistricting

Crowded Bloomington town hall comes same day as governor’s call for special legislative session on redistricting

On Monday, state representative Matt Pierce hosted a town hall about the GOP push for mid-decade redistricting in Indiana. Pierce’s event came after governor Mike Braun earlier in the day announced a special legislative session, starting Nov. 3, to address congressional district boundary changes.

Monroe County council faces $11.4M decision on jail site amid renewed community pushback

Monroe County council faces $11.4M decision on jail site amid renewed community pushback

Around 50 people gathered in the Meeting Room of the UU Church on Sunday afternoon for a town hall focused on Monroe County’s new jail and justice center proposal. On Tuesday, the county council is set to vote on an appropriation to pay for North Park, site of the planned new project.

Cars vs. Peds: Bloomington city council reverses course, disallows visual aids for public comment

Cars vs. Peds: Bloomington city council reverses course, disallows visual aids for public comment

Last Wednesday, Bloomington resident Greg Alexander wanted to support his three minutes of public comment with six photographs, to be projected onto the screen in council chambers. But the council departed from the guidance on its website that allows for this, and did not let him use the photos.

After fiery Monroe County election board meeting, vote centers still nonstarter ‘in the short term’

After fiery Monroe County election board meeting, vote centers still nonstarter ‘in the short term’

After a contentious election board meeting on Thursday, and a meeting between the two county chairs of the major political parties on Friday, Monroe County does not look like it’s any closer to adopting vote centers as a way for registered voters to cast their ballots.