Attempting to guide a ship when you are merely a passenger of good standing will always be an uphill climb.  As someone heavily invested in the outcomes of our community, this has never stopped me.  

As expected, these outcomes rarely come out exactly the way I want. Recently, the City of Bloomington (COB), received an 8-0 recommendation from the Planning Commission for changes in the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).  This ordinance provides the roadmap for planning and development.  The proposal was what the Chamber considered to be improvements that would allow certain processes to be streamlined including adding or increasing parking maximums.  Four meetings and public comments later, the improvements we wanted were excised from the changes.  

Through perseverance, these positive outcomes are within the Chamber’s grasp. Often, a change in the environment can provide the necessary opening where all the hard work comes to fruition.   Earlier in the month, the Chamber scored a pair of victories that were a long time in the making.  First, the Monroe County Commissioners created a Capital Improvement Board (CIB).  The entity will oversee the expansion and renovation of the Monroe County Center.  The food & beverage tax was raised in 2017 to pay for this effort. Since then, there has been no shortage of strain between the COB and county on a framework to make this possible.  Thanks to the tireless effort of the Chamber and its partners, we have been able to see the process through. The State has continually threatened to sunset the tax based on a lack of action from our elected officials.  Our role was to dilute this language but there was only so long that strategy would work. Now we have seen four members appointed to the CIB, awaiting two more.  Finally, expansion is in sight. 

The second development was a change in the city code that now allows Bloomington Transit (BT) to provide service outside the incorporated.  This language has been in books for forty-one years.  As a result, service to the Park 48 area including Cook Medical and Ivy Tech College was off limits for service, despite being a mere 1.3 miles away from the border. As a result, residents of Bloomington were unable to enhance their careers through employment and education opportunities.  The Chamber has been pursuing this change since I started here five years ago. This included in a transit summit to address the disparity four years ago.  By working with both the BT and the council transit champion, success has been achieved. 

The City of Bloomington (COB) Common Council is on recess until July 26th. I thought it would be a good opportunity to assess where we are concerning specific issues.

The long-delayed expansion to the Convention inches toward the finish line.  As you recall, the County Council passed a food and beverage tax in 2017.  Since then, we have had COVID, squabbling between the COB and County, yet little progress.  The County Commissioners created a capital improvement board (CIB) back in late 2022, that saw widespread support from both county and city councils.  However, it was contingent on the mayor’s support that never materialized.  This time around, no such language exists as the commissioners will once again vote to create a CIB at their July 5th meeting.  With the State adding pressure of a timeline, my belief is  this gets done and we move forward with a CIB making the decisions free of politics.

The Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) is moving forward with a referendum on the November 7th ballot.  This will be asking residents to approve funds to support the district’s Family-Centered & Community Focus Initiative with early childhood education being the centerpiece.   The ballot question includes a tax rate of 8.5 cents which equates to about $50 a year for a home appraised at 250k.  This is a response to a lack of will by the State Assembly to properly support pre-K education, largely seen as one of the best investments a community can make.  This comes after a successful 18.5-cent proposal by MCCSC in 2022.  You can read the MCCSC news release HERE.

Today will be the second outing for the county’s Justice Fiscal Advisory Committee (CFAC).  This is a response to the commissioner’s decision to put the Criminal Justice Response Committee on hiatus.  The county needs a new justice center.  It has been well documented that the current jail facility is poorly designed and crumbling.  The Council’s role here is fiscal, but will be looking at areas beyond a location.  The Chamber had a member of CFAC at their last meeting, Councilmember Peter Iversen.  He is one of three permanent voting members.   The non-voting members will include all the key stakeholders including city representatives.   The ambitious timeline includes having a full report completed by the end of September answering 6 questions:  1) Investments in Community Services where fewer people enter the system  2) Investments decrease recidivism rate 3) Equity in the justice system 4)  Timeline to fund the investments 5)  Revenue sources are available for capital portion including the newly passed by the state jail tax, bonding 6) revenue on annual basis for operating expenses  Goal is to get this done with clear and concise recommendations.   

Last night I was honored to attend  Hard Truth's ribbon cutting for it's new Rackhouse #2.  Governor Holcomb was on hand to say a few words and enjoy a little bourbon.   

As the municipal primary results are behind us, the summer slow season is upon us. Now is as good a time as any to clean out the advocacy notebook. 

The “trash talk” has commenced in the City of Bloomington (COB). Ordinance 23-11 will amend Title 6 of the Bloomington Municipal Code titled “Health and Sanitation”. This is a polite way to indicate the price of your trash collection will be going up.  Residents may see a 58 to 75 percent increase in that cost. Currently, money from the general fund pays for the shortfall in fees.  A subsidy is also required to fund the cost of curbside recycling.  The current proposal attempts to ensure trash collection pays for itself and recycling.  The debate will be heated as the fee increase represents  sticker shock.  This is coming after the large local income hike that went into effect last October.  Council members will be required to be in attendance and not virtual to vote on this amendment. 


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Based on staff recommendation, the COB Common Council will also take up updates to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).  From a Chamber perspective, it adds parking maximums for various types of businesses. More importantly, it increases the maximums for restaurants and fitness centers.  I spoke at the May 10th meeting. At least two of the council members pushed back on the proposed increase in parking.

In the County, the Redevelopment Commission had a public meeting that provided an overview of a proposed housing TIF district along State Road 46 or the Criderville area.  Bonds would be issued to pay for infrastructure (sewer, roads)  for housing developments.  The bond would be paid off through an increase in the assessed value of the property.  The State Legislature this past session passed a law to make it easier for communities to put these districts together.
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Also in the county, the Criminal Justice Response Committee has been put on hiatus by the commissioners.  The County council implemented a resolution creating the Justice Fiscal Advisory Committee. This adds individuals who were not included, such as a Bloomington representative.  15 members, 3 people on the committee, and 12 ad-hoc.  3 council and 1 commissioner including ex-inmates, judges, etc.  They will meet every other week.  The council has the purse strings and they are looking to use that authority to influence the new location of the justice center and the programs within to reduce the recidivism rate.  

In Ellettsville, the Town Council passed  Ordinance 2023-05 Approving a Moratorium on "NEW"  Construction and Development of Certain Structures in Commercial and Industrial Districts. This would be in affect until their UDO is passed which looks to occur sometime around October. 

​Kerry Thomson defeated her two Democrat opponents to gain the Democratic nomination for mayor.  This all but assures a win in November with no GOP or an independent candidate having filed.  The turnout was disappointing in that less than 8,000 voters made it to the polls Thanks to key endorsements from three former mayors and a large fundraising advantage, she coasted to victory.  Her campaign has promised a more collaborative and transparent means of governing Bloomington which contrasts with the current administration.
            Kerry Thomson                       43 percent
            Susan Sandberg                     34 percent
            Don Griffin                               23 percent
 
The make-up of the nine-member city will look dramatically different thanks to redistricting, a pair of upsets, and two members opting not to run.  There are six candidates chosen by districts and three at-large. Five new council members are expected to take office in January.  District 3 is the only race with a GOP opponent, Brett Heinisch.  The current council was often split in its approach to local government.  The more cautious majority will now only be bringing back Councilmember Dave Rollo, who was unopposed in his District 4 re-election bid.  The biggest upset of the night was Kate Rosenberger nail bitter victory over Council President Sue Sgambelluri. Incumbent Ron Smith lost his District 3 seat to Hopi Stosberg. 

At-Large Results
Isak Asare                   19.91%
Andy Ruff                    18.81%
Matt Flaherty              17.69% (I)
Lois Sabo-Skelto        13.54%
Jonas Schrodt            12.69%
Steve Volan                12.16%  (I)
Ryne Shadday            5.20%
           
District Winners         
D1       Isabel Piedmont-Smith (I)
D2       Kate Rosenbarger (I))
D3:      Hopi Strosberg
D4:      Dave Rollo  (I)
D5:       Shruti Rana    
D6:       David Wolfe-Bender (under review)

Council members who did not seek re-election:  Susan Sandberg and Jim Sims
(I) = incumbant 

A fundamental part of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s mission is our focus on advocacy and public policy. Chamber members are deeply committed to making our community a better place to live, work, and have fun.  We understand that businesses and local government must work closely together to achieve the quality of life that our residents deserve here.  Along those lines, the Chamber takes local elections very seriously, and our goal with any election is to maximize voter participation.       
 
This year, we have three candidates on the ballot for Mayor of Bloomington – an elected office that has a significant impact on Bloomington businesses and residents.  It is my opinion that local government has more day-to-day impact on a person than any other level of government. It is imperative that we elect local leaders who reflect the needs and values of the community.  Further, it is critical that as many people as possible participate in the decision to elect our leaders. If you’re an eligible voter, we need you to vote!  
 
This may come as a surprise to many readers but mark my words: in less than two weeks, we will know who the next mayor of Bloomington is. To be exact, we will know on May 2nd because that is primary election day. You will not have to wait until the general election in November because the decision on who will lead our city for the next four years will be made in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, May 2nd.  And, like it or not, the electoral math tends to favor Democrats in Bloomington. It has been that way for several decades, and that trend is not expected to change this year.
 
As a former elected office holder myself, I knew that if I could win the primary, I was essentially guaranteed a win in the general election. In fact, there are often no Republican opponents on the other side of the ballot, which makes the general election completely irrelevant for many local offices. Given the electoral realities of Bloomington, we should all be interested in the anticipated voter turnout numbers for the upcoming primary election on May 2. The only way to meaningfully project these numbers is to examine the data from the most recent competitive primary election for city offices, which was 8 years ago in 2015. There were also three Democratic candidates running for mayor of Bloomington in 2015.
 
​When examining the voter turnout numbers in the 2015 primary election, it is astounding that in a city of over 85,000 people, only 7,027 people cast a ballot. In other words, about 8% of the total population of Bloomington had an interest in deciding who would lead our city for four years. Unfortunately, 8% is about the same turnout that we expect again this year. What is even more astonishing is that Mayor John Hamilton – the winner of the 2015 Democratic primary election – received a total of just 3,790 votes. That translates to about 4% of the Bloomington population that decided the winner.     
 
It is important to note that although all the candidates for mayor this year are running as Democrats, you do not need to be a Democrat to vote for one of these individuals. If you are an independent or a Republican, you can still vote. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to register with the Democratic Party to vote in the Democratic primary. You can simply walk into your polling place and tell the election workers that you want to vote for mayor.
 
Regardless of your political beliefs, do not disenfranchise yourself in this election. Who we elect to lead our city for the next four years is far more important than staying silent in this election. Use the power of your vote to make your voice heard on May 2. Based on the numbers above, every single vote will assuredly count this year.
- Eric Spoonmore, President/CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce 

On April 24th, the Indiana Senate approved House amendment changes for SB 7: Physician Noncompete Agreements. If signed into law by Governor Holcomb, this law would allow physicians who have been terminated or fired from their positions to seek employment at hospitals outside of their previous network. This bill has been considered a success by lawmakers who believe these types of agreements decrease competition and increase consumer costs. Other lawmakers say that a recent amendment change to this bill, which only applies this ban to primary care physicians, will have negative effects on specialists who want the same protections. There are two more amendments that are up for Senate approval, and lawmakers have until the end of the week to approve changes (according to legislative session deadlines).

To learn more about SB 7 and track changes, click HERE!

I live in a politically active community. The mayoral race in Bloomington has had a lot of interest. The Monday night Chamber Mayoral Forum on Business, my employer, was one of many such events hosted by community/civic groups.
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We are like many Hoosier communities with a 1 party system. The primary on May 2nd  essentially elects the winner. I’ve lived in other states with similar circumstances.  It’s why I’ve voted in both parties’ primary elections. In Indiana, you don’t even have to specify your party affiliation when you register.  Show up to the polls and pull the lever. 

Every vote counts, but it matters more when fewer people go to the polls.  We have seen shifts in many city councils’ makeup by organized minorities focused on issues such as growth.  Here in Bloomington, we will be lucky to trot out 8,000 voters in a town of 80 odd thousand.  We are fortunate to have 3 distinct options available for mayor.  There are choices to be made, and fallout from said choice. 

I hear people bemoan the 1 party system in our local government. In a perfect environment, we would have a strong 2 party system here in Bloomington and the entire State of Indiana.  Where I push back is that we do not have a strong party apparatus on any level of government.  It remains candidate driven.  Individuals are welcome to run for office and vote how they feel when they become elected officials.  I attend city council meetings weekly where I see the divisions on full display. 

​“Growth” is a funny local issue unto itself. It does not have a party identification.  For different reasons, both sides of the political spectrum can be against it and for it. I tease my Carmel resident colleagues about the top-down government-laden approach to their planned growth.  I can poke fun at the method but not the results. 

The 2023 Solar, Energy Efficiency, & Lighting (SEEL) program provides grant funding and technical assistance for nonprofits, community organizations, and small businesses to improve building efficiency and install solar. Eligible projects for funding under the 2023 SEEL program fall into two application tracks: energy efficiency or solar grants. Each type of grant has different funding amounts. Details are listed below: 

Energy Efficient Grants 

• $3,000 Energy Efficient Assessment - The energy assessment, performed by IFF, is valued at $3,000 and the cost of the assessment is sponsored by the City of Bloomington
• $10,000 Matching Grant - The City of Bloomington will provide $10,000 grants as a cost share to help cover energy efficiency project costs. Additional utility rebates may be available depending on the facility and project type. 

Solar Grants 

• $25,000 Grant & Solar Assessment - The City of Bloomington will provide $25,000 grants to help cover solar project costs. Solar assessments and installations will be completed by our program manager, MPI Solar, and organizations can utilize the 30% federal tax credit. 

Applications are accepted on rolling basis with deadlines for Cohorts 2 and 3 on May 15th and August 24th respectively. If you would like to learn more about how to apply or which types of organizations are eligible, CLICK HERE. 

“But at the core of it, we have to be centered on what we’re trying to accomplish. And I think sometimes, I see in our community—I see some challenges.”  - Cook President Pete Yonkman at the  February Governor’s Luncheon.  

​The Chamber is set for our next Community Conversation luncheon “Working Better, Together” on Tuesday, April 4th at the Fountain Square Ballroom. The impetus of this topic was the lack of progress on many critical issues that plague the community.  These range from housing, convention center expansion, and justice reform to annexation. It is easy to point fingers, but harder to take the lead, and confront these challenges.

What these endeavors require is a certain sacrifice and compromise among all the parties.  The basis of progress has to be “trust”.  Too often I have witnessed what appears to be clashes over territory.  The greater good becomes more about protecting one’s self-interest. This goes beyond the strained city-county relations.  We lack real champions to move the process along that is inclusive of all stakeholders.  One cannot be a leader if the communication channels are not open.
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This community remains rich in resources. We have the tax base, the talent, and the drive to accomplish far more than we have in the last five or so years. What how this luncheon provides is a sense of what has gone wrong and how we fix it. 

The cliché about this being an important municipal election cannot be overstated. Bloomington is electing a new mayor with three strong candidates on the Democratic side.  At a minimum, we will have four new members on the City Common Council.  Change is not just brewing, it remains inevitable. 

The conversations I have had appear to indicate the winning candidate for mayor needs to reach about 3,500 votes in the primary  to pull off a victory. In this demographic, that pretty much entails sailing through the general election. That is not a lot of votes for a town of 80,000.  Your vote matters, and statistically has a real impact on the results.

The Chamber is hosting its first of two election events on Tuesday, March 21st at 5:30p with Elect Connect.  This will center on the council candidates.  Each candidate in a contested race will have an opportunity to speak for 3 minutes.  The atmosphere is light, with a networking vibe inclined to provide an opportunity to get to know the candidates.