Local Government

With the filing deadline passed, Monroe County voters face a mix of crowded May primaries and a few November matchups. Democrats have contested races for assessor, clerk, commissioner and prosecutor, while several township boards and trustee seats are also contested.

Bloomington councilmembers sharply criticized city staff's plan to keep Kirkwood Avenue open to cars in 2026, arguing it undercuts last year’s conversion ordinance. Staff cite costs and logistics. The administration is now reconsidering the proposal and could produce a revised plan later this month.

Monroe County’s election board will hold a special meeting next week to set early voting hours for the May primary, as clerk Nicole Browne warns a budget gap and overtime cuts could shrink the schedule to eight hours a day. A $242,781 funding request is pending in front of the county council.

The Monroe County CIB ended its work with Dora Hospitality to develop a convention center host hotel after learning it cannot secure the needed city-owned land south of the existing convention center. The CIB will now ask the county government about land, as it looks to reset an RFP.

Perry Township’s new trustee, Leon Gordon, was sworn in Tuesday at Bloomington city hall after a Democratic Party caucus chose him to replace the late Dan Combs. Gordon is transitioning from New Hope for Families while preparing for the May primary election for trustee.

Bloomington’s redevelopment commission has a packed February which includes: launch of a process to establish the city’s first residential TIF districts, a second plan commission hearing on Hopewell South, and more—as the city tries to tie financing, zoning and land strategy to housing goals.