Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
  • Business Directory
  • Membership
    • Join Today!
    • Benefits of Membership >
      • Business Resources
      • Cost Saving Programs
      • Co-Work Space & Conference Room
      • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training
      • Marketing
      • Networking >
        • Business After Hours
      • Ribbon Cuttings and Milestones
    • Levels of Membership
    • Member Login
    • Member Materials
    • Ambassadors >
      • Welcome Committee
      • Ambassador Toolkit
  • News & Events
    • Chamber News >
      • Sign Up For News
    • Member News
    • Chamber Events Calendar
    • Signature Events
    • Sponsorship
    • Photo Gallery
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Matters Updates >
      • Sign Up for Advocacy News
    • Local Government Advisory Boards
    • Elected Officials Directory
    • Transparency in Government
    • State Legislative Process
    • 2023 Municipal Election >
      • Mayoral Candidates 2023
      • City Council Candidates 2023
    • 2023 Local Public Policy
    • 2023 State-Federal Advocacy
    • Resources >
      • Civic Engagement
      • Gender Wage Gap
      • Housing
      • Taxes
      • Transportation
  • Community
    • #BTownChamberEats
    • Black-Owned Business Affinity Group
    • Bloomington Women in Leadership >
      • BWIL Steering Committee
    • Job Board
    • The Success School >
      • How To Get Involved
      • Programs >
        • Request Programming
      • About Us
      • Success School FAQs
      • Contact The Success School
    • Young Professionals >
      • YPB Steering Committee
      • Ten Under 40
      • YPB Events
      • YPB Pics
    • Community Calendar
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • History
    • Chamber App
    • Contact

 Advocacy Matters
Local News & Updates

Remonstration Process Starts for City of Bloomington Annexation

10/8/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
On Friday, Oct. 8, official public notices from the City of Bloomington were published in the Bloomington Herald-Times, marking the next step in the city's annexation process. 

Property owners who oppose annexation now have 90 days to file remonstrances with the Monroe County Auditor. Forms will be available at the courthouse square rotunda from 8-4 weekdays. Cathy Smith, the county auditor, will be offering informational classes on the remonstrance process at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. from Oct. 11-15, also at the courthouse square rotunda.

Read more about the city's annexation process here.

0 Comments

Bloomington Council Approves Annexation for Most Proposed Areas

9/23/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
In a 5-hour meeting on Sept. 22, the Bloomington Council approved annexation of most areas proposed by the city administration, but did not move forward with Area 7, covering Bloomington's northern corridor.

​The votes to annex were all 6-3, with opposition from Dave Rollo, Susan Sandberg and Ron Smith.

Residents in the proposed annexed areas now have 90 days to file remonstrances, which are objections to annexation. Several speakers during public commentary on Sept. 22 who opposed annexation – including Monroe County Commissioner Julie Thomas and Margaret Clements, chair of the Monroe County Plan Commission – vowed to help residents with the remonstration process. 

If remonstrances are signed by 65 percent of the affected landowners in a proposed annexation area, or owners of 80 percent of the assessed property value there, then the annexation is automatically stopped. If more than 50 percent but less than 65 percent of affected landowners remonstrate, an appeal to the circuit court can be made. 

Read more about the city's annexation process here.


0 Comments

Bloomington Council Takes Next Step in Annexation Process

9/16/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
At a nearly five-hour meeting on Sept. 15, the Bloomington Council passed one of eight ordinances to annex parts of Monroe County into the city. They voted 6–3 to make Area 1A a part of Bloomington. Dave Rollo, Susan Sandberg, and Ron Smith voted against it.

Also at the meeting, the council passed seven resolutions related to updated fiscal plans for each of the proposed annexation areas.


They recessed the meeting until next Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. via this Zoom link. Watch the Sept. 15 meeting on CATS here. Read more about the annexation process here.

0 Comments

Monroe County Commissioners Vote to Oppose Annexation

8/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
At their Aug. 11 meeting, Monroe County Commissioners voted to officially oppose the City of Bloomington's proposed annexation. The vote on the 3-person board was unanimous. Watch their comments on CATS here.

The commissioners previously hired Baker Tilly, a consulting firm, to do an independent fiscal analysis of the City of Bloomington's financial plan, to help gauge the impact on Monroe County government. The county also held three informational forums in late July and early August to discuss the plan and hear from residents.

On Aug. 10, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton recommended removing Area 7 from his original annexation proposal. That area covers much of the northern gateway into the city. Read his press release here.

Bloomington City Council will continue a public hearing annexation on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. via this Zoom link. Learn more about the city's annexation process here. They are expected to vote on adopting annexation ordinances at their Sept. 15 meeting.

0 Comments

City Council Cancels In-Person Portion of Annexation Public Hearing

8/5/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Citing public health concerns related to COVID-19, Bloomington Council canceled the in-person part of its Aug. 4 public hearing on annexation and held the hearing only via Zoom.

The public hearing had been promoted as a hybrid meeting for months – in-person at city hall, and over Zoom, starting at 3 p.m. Less than an hour before the hearing started, the council issued a press release stating that they might hold the hearing over Zoom only. The capacity was limited in council chambers, with chairs spaced more than 6 feet apart and a limited number of people allowed to enter. Nevertheless, councilmembers cited the fear of crowds as endangering attendees. Though the Monroe County Commissioners had issued a mask mandate earlier that day, it did not take effect until Aug. 5. The health order did not limit the size of gatherings or indoor capacity.

After convening the meeting in person at 3 p.m., the council voted to recess and continue the hearing at 4 p.m. over Zoom only. You can watch the meeting via CATS here.

The annexation public hearing will continue on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. via this Zoom link. Learn more about the city's annexation process here.

0 Comments

County-Commissioned Report Shows Impact of Annexation

7/28/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
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: 
​
  • 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.

0 Comments

Mayor's Office Sets "Virtual Office Hours" to Discuss Annexation

7/19/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
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:
​
  • 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.

0 Comments

Monroe County Sets Meetings to Discuss Annexation Report

7/19/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
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.

0 Comments

Monroe County Commissioners Hire Consultant to Review City Annexation Plan

6/2/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
At their June 2 meeting, Monroe County Commissioners approved an agreement with Baker Tilly for consultants to review and analyze the City's of Bloomington's annexation fiscal plan. The contract is for an amount not to exceed $50,000.

Commissioners previously released a statement on annexation here.

The City of Bloomington has relaunched an annexation effort that began in 2017 but was halted by state legislative action. The city successfully sued the state and resumed a process that is expected to conclude this fall. More information about the city's annexation initiative is here.

0 Comments

Bloomington Mayor Announces Restart of Annexation Process

4/28/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
The annexation process that was halted by state legislative action in 2017 will resume in May, according to an announcement this week by Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton.

The city will be distributing revised and updated fiscal plans for the potential annexation areas in early May. City Council is set to review the updated fiscal plans on May 12. After adoption, the public process would continue with re-sending formal notice to current property owners, additional public hearings to review and evaluate potential boundaries, and a City Council vote to approve and/or amend the annexation ordinances, anticipated in September.  

Read the city's press release here. More information is also available on the city's annexation website.

0 Comments
    Sign Up for our Newsletter

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019

    Categories

    All
    Advisory Boards/Commissions
    Affordability
    Annexation
    Arts & Culture
    Awards
    Bloomington Government
    Bloomington IU Relations
    Bloomington-IU Relations
    Bloomington Police
    Broadband
    Budget
    Census
    Chamber Events
    Chamber News
    Civic Engagement
    Climate Change
    Convention Center
    COVID 19 Pandemic
    COVID-19 Pandemic
    Criminal Justice
    Development
    Diversity
    Downtown Bloomington
    Economic Development
    Economic Impact
    Education
    Elections
    Ellettsville
    Emergency Management
    Entrepreneurs
    Environment
    Farmers Market
    Federal Government
    Finance
    Grants
    Historic Preservation
    Homelessness
    Housing
    Indiana University
    Infrastructure
    IN State Government
    IN State Legislature
    Ivy Tech
    Jail
    Judicial
    Law Enforcement
    Low Income Issues
    Major Employers
    Manufacturing
    Minority Business
    Monroe County Circuit Court
    Monroe County Community School Corporation
    Monroe County Government
    Monroe County Public Library
    Networking
    Nonprofits
    Opinion
    Parking
    Parks
    Planning
    Public Art
    Public Health
    Public Policy
    Public Safety
    Quality Of Place
    Quotable Quotes
    Redistricting
    Restaurants
    Richland Bean Blossom Community School Corp.
    Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corp.
    Rural Communities
    Small Business
    Small Business Development Center
    Startups
    Surveys
    Sustainability
    Taxes
    Technology
    TIF (Tax Increment Financing)
    Tourism
    Transportation
    UDO (Unified Development Ordinance)
    Utilities
    Workforce Attraction/Retention
    Workforce Development
    Youth
    Zoning

    RSS Feed

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.  All Rights Reserved.
421 W 6th Street, Suite A  |  Bloomington, IN 47404
Phone: (812)336-6381 | info@chamberbloomington.org | sitemap
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 9:00am-3:00pm

There is a no refund policy for events.  If you need to reassign your ticket to another person we will be happy to update our attendance list. Thank you.
Picture
  • Business Directory
  • Membership
    • Join Today!
    • Benefits of Membership >
      • Business Resources
      • Cost Saving Programs
      • Co-Work Space & Conference Room
      • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training
      • Marketing
      • Networking >
        • Business After Hours
      • Ribbon Cuttings and Milestones
    • Levels of Membership
    • Member Login
    • Member Materials
    • Ambassadors >
      • Welcome Committee
      • Ambassador Toolkit
  • News & Events
    • Chamber News >
      • Sign Up For News
    • Member News
    • Chamber Events Calendar
    • Signature Events
    • Sponsorship
    • Photo Gallery
  • Advocacy
    • Advocacy Matters Updates >
      • Sign Up for Advocacy News
    • Local Government Advisory Boards
    • Elected Officials Directory
    • Transparency in Government
    • State Legislative Process
    • 2023 Municipal Election >
      • Mayoral Candidates 2023
      • City Council Candidates 2023
    • 2023 Local Public Policy
    • 2023 State-Federal Advocacy
    • Resources >
      • Civic Engagement
      • Gender Wage Gap
      • Housing
      • Taxes
      • Transportation
  • Community
    • #BTownChamberEats
    • Black-Owned Business Affinity Group
    • Bloomington Women in Leadership >
      • BWIL Steering Committee
    • Job Board
    • The Success School >
      • How To Get Involved
      • Programs >
        • Request Programming
      • About Us
      • Success School FAQs
      • Contact The Success School
    • Young Professionals >
      • YPB Steering Committee
      • Ten Under 40
      • YPB Events
      • YPB Pics
    • Community Calendar
  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • History
    • Chamber App
    • Contact