Local Government

With no land deal in hand, the Monroe County CIB has given Dora Hospitality a bit longer to produce a viable host-hotel proposal. Talks over the College Square site remain stalled by a major funding gap; without progress, the CIB will issue a new RFP at its Jan. 21, 2026 meeting.

At the midpoint of Bloomington city council’s four-year term, enough roll call votes exist to analyze voting patterns. Using a purely statistical method applied to 67 split votes, The B Square finds some clear two-member blocs.

With holiday downtime to fill, here’s a low-stakes suggestion: take Bloom Magazine’s revamped food and restaurant survey. It’s short, flexible, and lets you explain why a place matters to you—how it tastes, how it feels, maybe even why it tastes like love.

A 3–0 vote by the Monroe County commissioners will move Bean Blossom Township into the Monroe Fire Protection District in 2027, quadrupling fire taxes. The decision sparked sharp criticism from Ellettsville officials, who say it complicates their ongoing consolidation talks with Richland Township.

Monroe County commissioners could vote Monday on adding Bean Blossom Township to the Monroe Fire Protection District. The MFPD option would raise fire protection costs for Bean Blossom taxpayers by more than fourfold, while spreading part of the cost across other MFPD members.

Three members concluded their service on the Monroe County Board of Health on Dec. 18, including longtime member George Hegeman. Their departures leave three vacancies on the seven-member board, which oversees the county health department and appoints the health officer.