Sue Wanzer – The B Square

Based on required pre-primary filings by Democrats in Monroe County races, about $82,000 has been raised by nine candidates for county commissioner or county councilor in the May 7 primary.

The pre-primary reporting period ended April 12. The required CFA-4 documents were due by noon on Friday.

The four Democrats running for the three at-large county councilor nominations raised a total of $15,940.54. Leading the way was incumbent Cheryl Munson, who raised $5,024.60. She was followed by challengers David Henry and Matt Caldie, who raised $4,289.94 and $3,800.00 respectively. Incumbent Trent Deckard raised $2,826.00.

The two Democrats running for the District 2 county commissioner nomination raised $24,184.45, with challenger Peter Iversen collecting more than twice as much as incumbent Julie Thomas. Iverson raised $17,024.42 compared to $7,160.03 for Thomas.

The three Democrats running for the District 3 county commissioner nomination raised a combined $42,521.21. Incumbent Penny Githens raised $20,523.85 compared to $17,593.00 by challenger Jody Madeira. Challenger Steve Volan raised $4,404.36.

The raw totals don’t give a complete picture. Continue reading “2024 Election notebook: Dems raise $82K in races for county councilor, commissioner” →

Randy Cassady, a member of Bloomington’s redevelopment commission, asked about the impact of TIF districts on the tax.

Former school board member Sue Wanzer asked where MCCSC would run its pre-K programs.

Maqubè Reese asked how MCCSC is preparing for the influx of a more diverse population.

David Sabbagh asked if the referendum could not be put off until 2024.

Monroe County Community School Corporation superintendent Jeff Hauswald.

On Wednesday night, MCCSC superintendent Jeff Hauswald presented the district’s case for a referendum on Nov. 7 that would add 8.5 cents to the district’s property tax rate.

Hauswald then fielded questions from meeting attendees.

Wednesday’s meeting came the day after the school board voted unanimously to pass a resolution authorizing Hauswald to consult with Monroe County auditor Cathy Smith about the calculations that would go into increasing MCCSC’s property tax rate by 8.5 cents.

A vote to put the question to the public as a referendum could come at the school board’s June meeting.

The revenue generated by the additional tax would go towards early childhood education for 3-to-5-year-old children, as well as other initiatives to make education more accessible.

The other initiatives include free instructional technology, supplies, and consumables for all students. Also made free would be Advanced Placement (AP) exams and tests that are needed for workplace certificates. The additional revenue would also cover free career education, including tuition, testing, supplies, and associated fees.

Based on the remarks and questions from the public who spoke, the dozen and half people who attended Wednesday night’s presentation were mostly friendly to the idea of the increased tax.

But former city councilmember David Sabbagh questioned the timing of the public vote. Sabbagh said he is a strong advocate of early childhood education. He told Hauswald, “I would have trouble disagreeing with anything you said.”

Sabbagh continued, “Unfortunately, we have this thing called city government that also taxes us.” He noted the Bloomington is considering an increase to trash collection fees. Sabbagh also noted that his tax bill had already increased due to the successful 18.5-cent referendum that MCCSC had put on the ballot in 2022—which passed with 68.6 percent support.

Sabbagh asked, “I wonder if you couldn’t put it off for a year?” Continue reading “School district fields questions about possible Nov. 7 referendum on 8.5-cent tax increase” →