Consultants with Baker Tilly presented a financial analysis of proposed annexation at the Monroe County Council on July 27. The report was commissioned by the county to independently assess the financial impact of Bloomington's annexation. 

The report noted some variances between the Baker Tilly analysis and the City of Bloomington's fiscal plan, which is posted on the city's annexation website.  Some of those variances are due to different approaches taken in calculating the impact. For example, the city used 2019 assessment data, while the Baker Tilly consultants used data from 2020.

​Read the report here. Watch the Baker Tilly presentation on CATS here. An "impact calculator" is available on the county's website.

The county has scheduled three public forums to discuss the Baker Tilly report: 
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• July 28 at 6 p.m. at the Old State Road 37 Fire Station (5081 N Old State Road 37) and via Zoom
• Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Fairgrounds (5700 W Airport Rd)
• Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Drive Fire Station (3953 S. Kennedy Dr.) and via Zoom

The Bloomington Council will hold a public hearing on annexation at their Aug. 4 meeting starting at 3 p.m. The council is expected to vote on Sept. 15. More about the city's annexation process here.

On July 27, the Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners approved a contract extension with Marshall Security, a private firm, to provide extended security coverage in downtown area parks.  The unarmed guards would be staffed in shifts from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Last month the board approved an initial contract with Marshall for one shift at Switchyard Park, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Tim Streets, operations and development division director, told the board that there had been numerous security incidents during daytime hours throughout other parks and on the B-Line Trail, including physical altercations, unconscious persons, assault, and destruction of public property.  In addition to Switchyard Park, the security guards will now patrol these parks: RCA Park, Seminary Park, B-Line Trail, Building Trades Park, Butler Park, Crestmont Park, Miller Showers Park and Third Street Park.

This new contract of $52,500 runs through Dec. 31 and adds to the previous contract of $60,588.  The funding will come from the city's share of CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act funds. This is the first time that the parks department has hired private security for regular patrols

Watch the discussion on CATS here. Read the staff memo here.

Regional Opportunity Initiatives has released a plan designed to build a stronger digital infrastructure throughout Monroe County.  The 6-page plan includes five goals with strategies to help implement each goal. Goals are:
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1. Strive to establish and sustain a digital equity ecosystem.
2. Build/upgrade affordable and adequate broadband connectivity throughout the community and improve adoption.
3. Ensure residents have access to quality and reliable devices.
4. Improve digital literacy and skills among all residents.
5. Integrate digital inclusion strategies into community, economic, and workforce development.​

Click here to read the full plan.

At their July 21 meeting, Bloomington Council heard a request from the administration to spend a portion of the total $22.1 million that the city will be receiving from the federal American Rescue Act Plan (ARPA). The request for a $3.35 million appropriation breaks down as follows:
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• $250,000 grant to the Bloomington Housing Authority to create more affordable housing options.
• $1.2 million grant to support the ongoing work of the Housing Insecurity Group, to be administered through United Way of Monroe County.
• $200,000 to establish or support a new landlord risk mitigation fund.
• $150,000 to accelerate inclusive job training and employment growth.
• $175,000 for grants to local arts and cultural groups.
• $550,000 to fund essential deferred maintenance at the Waldron Arts Center. 
• $50,000 for a consultant to evaluate the potential for a new downtown performing arts facility. 

Watch the presentation at the July 21 council meeting on CATS here. Read the staff memo here. The council will discuss the appropriation at their July 28 Committee of the Whole meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. via this Zoom link.

The City of Bloomington has scheduled four blocks of online "office hours" for residents to discuss proposed annexation. Staff  will be available at these times via this Zoom link:
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• Thursday, July 22: noon-2 p.m.
• Thursday, July 29: 2-4 p.m.
• Thursday, August 12: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Thursday, August 19: 3-5 p.m.

Monroe County is also holding several forums to discuss annexation. Read more about those here.

The Bloomington Council will hold a public hearing on annexation at their Aug. 4 meeting starting at 3 p.m. The council is expected to vote on Sept. 15. More about the city's annexation process here.

Four meetings are scheduled to review a consultant's report that Monroe County commissioned regarding proposed City of Bloomington annexation.

The consultant, Baker Tilly, will make an initial presentation of its report to the Monroe County Council on Tuesday, July 27. That meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. via this Zoom link. In addition, the report will be presented at three public forums: 

• July 28 at 6 p.m. at the Old State Road 37 Fire Station (5081 N Old State Road 37)
• Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. at the Fairgrounds (5700 W Airport Rd)
• Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Drive Fire Station (3953 S. Kennedy Dr.)

The Bloomington Council will hold a public hearing on annexation at their Aug. 4 meeting starting at 3 p.m. The council is expected to vote on Sept. 15. More about the city's annexation process here.

Two workshops focused on soft skills, including applying and interviewing for jobs, will be offered this month through a partnership of WorkOne, My Sister’s Closet, Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM), and the City of Bloomington’s Banneker Community Center and Department of Economic & Sustainable Development.

The July 22 workshop from 5:30-7:30 p.m. will be held at MCUM, 827 W. 14th Court (next to Tri-North Middle School).

The workshop on Saturday, July 24 will run from 10 a.m. to noon at the Banneker Community Center, 930 W. 7th St. 

Free childcare will be provided for children over three. Participants will receive a free bag of groceries and a $10 gift certificate to My Sister's Closet. More info here.