 Monroe County Commissioners approved a new mask mandate for indoor public places throughout the county, in response to an increase in COVID-19 cases, positivity rate, the Delta variant, and new CDC guidance.
The mandate takes effect at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 5 and applies to indoor public places, including restaurants and retail stores. Read the full order here. Businesses will be required to post signs regarding this mandate. Signs are available at the Chamber office (421 W. 6th St, southeast corner of 6th and Rogers), at Monroe County offices on the square, and Downtown Bloomington Inc. Indiana University has also reimplemented a mask mandate on all campuses for all students, staff, faculty and visitors effective Thursday, Aug. 5.
0 Comments
 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:
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.  The Bloomington-Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMCMPO) is seeking input on the draft 2022-26 Transportation Improvement Program.
You can submit comments directly to BMCMPO staff by email at [email protected] or [email protected]. The Technical Advisory and Citizens Advisory Committees will meet Aug. 25 to recommend adoption of the draft TIP, which the Policy Committee will vote to adopt Sept. 10. Read the draft document 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:
 Monroe County is forming a small task force to start discussing and reviewing recommendations in the recent Criminal Justice & Incarceration Study.
At the June 30, 2021 meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners, county attorney Margie Rice asked for feedback on creating a task force of elected officials. The group would include members of the Monroe County Commissioners, Monroe County Council, the Health Department, prosecutor, public defender and Board of Judges. Another public meeting is set for July 7 at 5:30 p.m. via this Zoom link. Click here to listen to the criminal justice study discussion on CATS. Read the Criminal Justice & Incarceration Study here.  Rendering of the new library branch. At its June 8 meeting, the Monroe County Council approved issuance of two series of bonds to pay for the construction of a new Monroe County Public Library branch and renovations at other facilities.
Series A bonds were approved to be issued in an amount not to exceed $2 million and will be payable over a period ending not later than Jan. 15, 2030. Those bond proceeds will be used for the renovation of and improvements to existing library facilities and purchase of equipment. The Series B bonds, together with the Series A bonds, will be issued in an amount not to exceed $6 million and will be payable over a period ending not later than Jan. 15, 2041. Proceeds of the Series B bonds will pay costs of the design, acquisition, site development, construction, equipping and furnishing of a new library branch. Read the meeting packet materials related to the bond approval here. Monroe County Emergency Management has set up a link for businesses and individuals to report damage due to last weekend's storms. The 211 Initial Disaster Intake/Assessment Form asks for basic information and for permission to enter your property to assess damage.
 The long-awaited Monroe County Criminal Justice & Incarceration Study has been released to the public. Among the findings:
Read the full report here. A June 23 joint meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners and County Council will review the recommendations. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. via this Zoom link.  At its June 16 meeting, Monroe County Commissioners voted to establish a infrastructure development zone for an area southwest of Bloomington.
This infrastructure development zone would abate property taxes associated with development of broadband in the zone. Click here to read material from the commissioners' meeting packet.  Rendering of proposed Southern Meadows paired patio homes. Southern Meadows, a project to add 190 residential units on 37 acres in the Clear Creek area, was rejected by Monroe County Commissioners at their June 9 meeting. Commissioners Julie Thomas and Penny Githens voted against it. Commissioner Lee Jones was absent.
Builder Tom Wininger is already approved to build 90 single-family homes on that lot, but wanted to increase density in order to make each unit more affordable. Among other things, commissioners objected to density in that part of the county. Watch the project discussion on CATS here. Click here for meeting materials related to Southern Meadows. |
|
|
Copyright The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.