Noon Edition airs on Fridays at noon on WFIU.   

Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton is proposing a 64 percent increase to the current Monroe County local income tax.

The tax hike would generate about $18 million in annual revenue for the City of Bloomington, $11.4 million for Monroe County, and $1.4 million for Ellettsville. Hamilton suggested the additional revenue be invested into four categories, including about $4.5 million for public safety and $6.5 million for climate change.

Based on the demographic makeup of the local income tax council, only eight Bloomington City Council members could implement the tax hike for all Monroe County residents.

City council has mixed reactions to the proposed increase. Council members agree additional investments in public safety are necessary, especially with a police union contract pending approval. However, some members are concerned about the package’s size.

READ MORE: Local income tax hike faces uncertain future with Bloomington City Council

Council is scheduled to discuss the increase again Wednesday, but some members say they may need more time.

This week on Noon Edition, we’ll talk with elected officials and a local government finance professor about what the tax increase means for Monroe County.

You can follow us on Twitter at @NoonEdition or join us on the air by calling 812-855-0811 or toll-free at 1-877-285-9348. You can also send us questions for the show at news@indianapublicmedia.org.

Guests

William Ellis, Ellettsville Town Council ward 2 representative & Monroe County GOP vice chair

John Hamilton, City of Bloomington Mayor

Justin Ross, IU O’Neill School local income tax professor

Susan Sandberg, Bloomington City Council at-large member