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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.

Appeals judges press attorneys in Bloomington annexation on “urbanized” test, property owner best interests

Appeals judges press attorneys in Bloomington annexation on “urbanized” test, property owner best interests

Bloomington’s effort that began in 2017 to annex several territories into the city continued on Tuesday in front of Indiana’s court of appeals. For a total of about 40 minutes on Tuesday morning, a three-judge panel quizzed the attorneys for Bloomington and for annexation opponents.

Tenant questions eviction deadline on land donated to Monroe County for recreation: “I’m still trying to find somewhere to go, and no luck so far.”

Tenant questions eviction deadline on land donated to Monroe County for recreation: “I’m still trying to find somewhere to go, and no luck so far.”

The tenants of rental properties on the land that the Monroe County government now owns were given notice by the county that their month-to-month leases were being terminated. The tenants would prefer to stay. The county government’s legal position is that it has no choice but to make them leave.

MCPL board to vote on cutting weeknight hours at downtown library

MCPL board to vote on cutting weeknight hours at downtown library

A decision about reducing the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL)’s downtown hours will be made by library trustees at their meeting this Wednesday (Aug. 20). The proposed plan would close the downtown library at 7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday every week.

Monroe County Democrats confirm Rob Council as new vice chair

Monroe County Democrats confirm Rob Council as new vice chair

On Sunday afternoon Monroe County Democrats elected Rob Council as their vice chair. Council is a compliance officer in the city of Bloomington’s HAND Department. Council will now be the backup to county chair Chrissie Geels, who was elected to that position last month at a vacancy caucus.

ACLU presses Monroe County to move ahead on construction of new jail

ACLU presses Monroe County to move ahead on construction of new jail

As Monroe County’s plans to build a new jail face headwinds, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana is still pushing for the county to move forward with construction, according to remarks by attorney Ken Falk at the county council’s Tuesday meeting.

Bloomington utilities looks to raise drinking water rates as part of 4-year cycle

Bloomington utilities looks to raise drinking water rates as part of 4-year cycle

In a news release issued on Tuesday, the City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) announced that it is now taking steps to increase drinking water rates for its customers. Currently residential customers pay $4.38 per 1,000 gallons and a fixed monthly charge of $7.93 for a 3/4-inch line.

Monroe County sets special meeting to vote on Simtra Biopharma tax break for former GE site redevelopment

Monroe County sets special meeting to vote on Simtra Biopharma tax break for former GE site redevelopment

A special meeting of the Monroe County council has been called for 4 p.m. on Aug. 26 to discuss the possible approval of a tax abatement for Simtra Biopharma, which announced in late July that it had purchased the former GE site on Bloomington’s west side from Cook Group.