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Split votes on race-related topics by city, county electeds

Split votes on race-related topics by city, county electeds

Wednesday is the usual meeting day for two local elected bodies—Bloomington’s city council and Monroe County’s board of commissioners. This week they each approved legislation involving anti-racist efforts. The city council approved a resolution endorsing a proposal for art featuring the phrase “Black Lives Matter.” The

Election update: Voting machine accuracy test passed; Poll workers still needed; Registration deadline Oct. 5

Election update: Voting machine accuracy test passed; Poll workers still needed; Registration deadline Oct. 5

At 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Monroe County’s election division started running its voting equipment through the logic and accuracy test that’s required under state statute. After two hours of testing, the county’s equipment passed with a 100-percent score, deputy county clerk Tressia Martin told The

Technology center application to feds for $9.4 million building gets more OKs from RDC, city council committee endorsement comes after grumbling

Technology center application to feds for $9.4 million building gets more OKs from RDC, city council committee endorsement comes after grumbling

On Monday night, Bloomington city council’s four-member sustainable development committee convened a meeting to consider signing a letter of support for an application by the city to the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA). The city looking to build a technology center in the Trades District, just north of

From police, to parking, to public works, to bidets: Bloomington 2021 budget Q&A flush with facts

From police, to parking, to public works, to bidets: Bloomington 2021 budget Q&A flush with facts

Late August marked the conclusion of a four-night series of city council hearings on Bloomington mayor John Hamilton’s proposed 2021 budget. Shortly after that, councilmembers submitted written questions to city staff. In the second week of September, staff responses to councilmember questions were posted in a Q&

Convention center budget session: A glimpse into possible timing for tourism recovery

Convention center budget session: A glimpse into possible timing for tourism recovery

A week ago Friday, the Monroe County council wrapped up a series of four budget work sessions in as many days. On the docket for Friday were the funds related to the county’s convention center. The recovery of the area’s tourism industry from the impact of the COVID-

Benton Township now in Monroe Fire Protection District, Washington Township in queue

Benton Township now in Monroe Fire Protection District, Washington Township in queue

At its weekly Wednesday morning meeting, Monroe County’s board of commissioners approved the inclusion of Benton Township in the Monroe Fire Protection District (MFPD). Benton Township will become a member on Jan. 1, 2022. Sooner than that, Benton Township will start getting backup fire protection from the district for

Bloomington city council declines mayor’s request for tax increase on 4-5 vote, proposal now dead

Bloomington city council declines mayor’s request for tax increase on 4-5 vote, proposal now dead

On Monday Wednesday night, Bloomington’s city council voted 4–5 on a request from mayor John Hamilton for a quarter-point increase to the countywide local income tax. That kills the proposal and it will not be considered by other governing bodies in Monroe County. A press release from