Bloomington City Council is looking at a new city budget, and it comes with electric scooter enforcement, the end of leaf vacuuming, and an unfinished union negotiation.
Mayor John Hamilton Monday proposed his 2023 city budget worth $129 million, up about $22 million from 2022.
“It is not an overstatement in my view to say that with this budget we will usher in a new era for Bloomington,” Hamilton said.
The budget includes several changes to city services:
Transitioning to a ‘pay-as-you-throw’ trash program over three years, which could result in higher fees.
Ending free curbside leaf vacuuming and encouraging composting. Bagged collection will still be available.
Transferring street sweeping services to the utilities department to increase frequency.
Reducing or eliminating coins from parking meters.
Converting a city owned property, likely a surface parking lot, into affordable housing.
All non-union city employees will receive a five percent base pay raise, police officers will receive about 13 percent, and firefighters will receive two percent. Additionally, temporary employees will make at least $15.29 per hour. However, AFSCME union employees are not budgeted to receive a raise because contract negotiations are ongoing.
Councilmember Dave Rollo asked city administration if an agreement will be reached before council adopts the budget in October.
“I don’t know the answer to that to be honest with you,” corporation counsel Beth Cate said. “Negotiations are ongoing, and we will see.”
The city also plans to offer several new benefits:
$1,000 bonus for all non-sworn employees
Employee primary care health clinic (location to be determined).
Up to $2,500 for travel and lodging for out-of-state abortion services.
$500 parking cash out program for city hall.
The total proposed budget is $229 million when combined with Bloomington Transit, Bloomington Housing Authority, and utilities, which are separate entities. This combined budget is up from $187 million in 2022.
The budget proposes 31 new jobs, including nine in public safety.
(Courtesy: City of Bloomington)
Department Budgets
To kick off the first night of budget week, the city council considered seven departmental proposals:
Legal Department
The proposed legal budget is $2.2 million, up slightly from $2.1 million in 2022.
Council made a due-pass recommendation of 4-0-5.
Councilmembers Rollo and Isabel Piedmont-Smith both passed and expressed concern with the department’s enforcement of electric scooter policies.
“We as a city have done a terrible job at enforcing our scooter rules for parking and using scooters on public property,” Piedmont-Smith said. “Scooter companies and scooter users are not following the regulations that this body passed, and it's way past time to start invoking fees and other legal measures against them.”
Later in the budget hearings, Rollo asked the mayor’s office to commit to addressing the scooter issue. Deputy mayor Don Griffin said the city is preparing to communicate with scooter companies and the department of public works is preparing a local response.
“This fits in with our whole idea of alternate transportation, when done right,” Griffin said. “It must be done right if it’s going to be done in Bloomington.”
Human Resources
The proposed HR budget is almost $2 million, up from $1.5 million in 2022. The proposal includes a new compensation and benefits director and talent acquisition specialist.
Council made a due-pass recommendation of 2-2-5.
Councilmember Sue Sgambelluri supported the proposal and said she likes the direction the city is taking to learn about employee benefits and retention.
Councilmember Steve Volan did not support the HR proposal, and he took issue with the flat $500 stipend for the parking cash out program. Given some parking permits cost more/less, Volan said employees should cash in parking at market value.
Councilmember Dave Rollo passed and said he has to consider adding more positions when base pay doesn't appear to keep up with inflation.
City Controller’s office
The controller's budget proposal is $3.2 million, up from $2.2 million in 2022. The proposal includes a new grant for a research sourcing manager.
Council made a due-pass recommendation of 5-0-4.
Information Technology Services Department
The ITs proposal is $4.1 million, down from $5.5 million in 2022.
Council made a due-pass recommendation of 7-0-2.
Mayor’s Office
The mayor's office budget proposal is $1.1 million, up from $1 million in 2022.
Council made a due-pass recommendation of 5-0-3.
City Council office
Council's budget proposal $1.36 million, up from $1.34 million in 2022.
Council made a due-pass recommendation of 7-1-1.
Clerk’s office
The clerk's office budget proposal is $400,000, up from $378,000 in 2022.
Council made a due-pass recommendation of 9-0.
Departmental budget hearings continue the next three nights at 6 p.m.
