The City of Bloomington has opened its 2021 Community Survey to the general public, with a May 5 deadline to respond. It asks a variety of questions related to issues that affect quality of life, the economy, public services and more.

This is the third survey administered for the city by the National Research Center Inc. (NRC). Similar surveys were done in 2017 and 2019. 

Click here to take the 2021 Community Survey.

Mayor John Hamilton has formed a task force to solicit and review proposals to rename Jordan Avenue south of 17th Street. The group will also explore other options to rename that road north of 17th Street. The public can submit suggestions here.

Task force members are:

• Cedric Harris, Indiana University Director of Bias Response, Division of Student Affairs
• Tim Mayer, former City Council member and current South Jordan Avenue resident
• Elizabeth Mitchell, journalist, filmmaker, and historian of Bloomington's African-American community, 42-year city resident, and community volunteer (co-chair)
• Tom Morrison, IU Vice President, Capital Planning and Facilities
• Glenda Murray, Monroe County Historian, community volunteer, and retired IU staff
• Alex Tanford, IU Professor Emeritus of Law, Maurer School of Law (co-chair)
• James Wimbush, IU Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs

The City of Bloomington is seeking applicants for its Redevelopment Commission (RDC), following the resignation of RDC president Don Griffin Jr. He resigned his position on March 15 and will be joining the city as deputy mayor in April.

The RDC oversees the city's Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) department, neighborhood improvement grants and tax increment finance (TIF) districts. 

Click here to apply for a seat on the RDC. This vacancy is appointed by the mayor. Other RDC positions are appointed by the Bloomington Council.

Four state legislators representing Monroe County gave an overview of action at the Indiana General Assembly at the Feb. 13 Legislative Update, co-sponsored by the local League of Women Voters and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

​Sen. Shelli Yoder (District 40), Rep. Matt Pierce (District 61), Rep. Peggy Mayfield (District 60) and Rep. Jeff Ellington (District 62) provided updates and answered audience questions. Watch the 90-minute session here.

The next updates will be held on March 6 and April 10. Click here to register.

Following the death of trustee Keith Klein in January, the Monroe County Community School Corp. Board is seeking applicants to fill the District 5 seat on the 7-member board.

​District 5 covers portions of Perry Township in the central part of Monroe County. Click here for a map of District 5.

Applications are due on Monday, Feb. 8 and candidates will be interviewed by the board on Feb. 16 & 17.  Click here to apply. Find additional details here.

State Senator Shelli Yoder will hold office hours every Friday from 8:30-10 a.m. to talk with constituents in District 40.​ The first session, to be held online, will be on Feb. 5.

District 40 covers most of Monroe County, including the City of Bloomington. 

Click here for details about how to attend.

Applications are open for the City of Bloomington's new Racial Equity Task Force, a group that will address issues of racism in the community and develop recommendations to address them. Applications are due by midnight on Monday, Feb. 15. The application form is here.

The task force was created as part of the city's Plan to Advance Racial Equity. Members are being asked to make a two-year commitment. Click here for additional details.

The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is kicking off the new year with a weekly news quiz, published each Friday and focusing on local issues and member news.

The quiz is designed to help residents become more informed about local government and other community issues, as well as to highlight what's happening with Chamber members.

Click here to take the quiz!

Water rates would increase by over 30% for commercial customers and over 40% for industrial customers, if proposed increases are approved by the City of Bloomington. Get details on the proposed rate changes here.

Utilities staff held an informational meeting on Jan. 7 – watch a recording of the session here. The Utilities Service Board's Finance Subcommittee will meet on  Jan. 11 at 4 p.m. and Jan. 19 at 4 p.m., followed by a meeting of the entire USB to take final action on Jan. 19 at 5 p.m. 

The Bloomington Council will then hear a first reading of the proposed changes at its Feb. 3 meeting, with final action expected on March 3. If approved by council, CBU will file the rate request with the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission (IURC) before the end of March 2021. CBU anticipates that the IURC will host public hearings, with the dates and times to be announced. Any final rates that are approved by IURC will go into effect in early 2022. 

The Chamber is partnering with the League of Women Voters of Bloomington/Monroe County for a monthly Legislative Update series, starting on Saturday, Jan. 16 from 9:30-11 a.m.

The virtual event will be conducted via Zoom. Click here to register.

State legislators representing Monroe County will give overviews of their activities in the Indiana General Assembly and will take questions from the audience.  Each session will be taped by CATS and replayed on scheduled dates or on request.
 
Subsequent updates are planned February 13, March 6, and April 10.