June 29th News and Notes from Around the Community

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.   

---