Bloomington Budget Hearing on Community Health & Vitality - August 26, 2025
Bloomington Budget Hearing on Community Health & Vitality - August 26, 2025
This was the third budget hearing for the 2026 city budget, focusing on the priority area of community health and vitality. Departments presented included Community and Family Resources (CFRD), Parks and Recreation, Public Works (Animal Care and Control, Sanitation), and City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU). Key discussions centered on budget constraints from Senate Enrolled Act 1, the removal of $300,000 in DEI training funding due to legal concerns, and efforts to maintain services despite fiscal challenges. No votes were taken; the hearing was for presentation and public comment.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Chris Ringe (Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce): Praised the after-hours ambassadors program and supported maintaining the ambassador positions. Urged careful management of park assets and investment in youth sports facilities.
- Former Councilmember Sims: Asked for a clear city definition of DEI and federal definitions of "radical and wasteful spending." Stressed that budget allocations reflect values and urged continued support for marginalized communities.
- Claudia Lada (CHLA Commission on Hispanic Latino): Opposed the elimination of the Latino Holiday Gift Program, describing its personal impact. Emphasized the program builds trust and access for families facing language and fear barriers.
- Nicole Bolden (resident): Criticized council for directing DEI questions to Director Moss rather than to the mayor or deputy mayor. Urged more focus on anti-racist behavior rather than abstract definitions.
Discussion Items
Priority Area Introduction – Community Health & Vitality
- Mayor Thompson stated the city remains committed to its values but faces fiscal reality: ARPA funds for DEI training were one‑time, and SEA 1 reduces revenues. The city cannot spend $300,000 it no longer has on a one‑size‑fits‑all training.
- Deputy Mayor Knapp outlined that many departments fall under this priority area and asked council to identify which programs they most want to track.
- Councilmember Stasberg expressed hope to hear how the city will demonstrate continued commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Community and Family Resources Department (CFRD)
- Director Chatoya Moss presented CFRD’s 2026 budget. Key points:
- 2024: 74 navigation calls; by mid‑2025, 40 (surpassed halfway). Nearly 1,000 searches on Helping Bloomington Monroe; top need is housing assistance.
- 116 families directly assisted since June 2024 through outreach and violence reduction funds.
- After‑hours ambassadors trained 13 organizations on NARCAN and substance use awareness; provide 30 hours/week downtown.
- Programs discontinued: Blacky Brown Arts Festival (goals merged with other events) and Latino Holiday Gift Program (funding redirected to gaps).
- Planned 2026: citywide 100,000 hours volunteer challenge.
- Council questions:
- Councilmember Piedmont Smith asked about DEI training integration in onboarding; HR Director PayChak said no DEI‑specific onboarding, but best‑practice training exists.
- Councilmember Zulik asked about translation services and the definition of DEI. Moss had no city definition.
- Councilmember Daly explored why $300,000 for DEI training from last year’s general fund was not spent and why it didn’t roll over. Controller noted ARPA funds were mostly spent; the $300k will revert to general fund.
- Corporate Counsel Margie Rice explained legal advice led to a conservative approach due to federal and state executive orders ending DEI programs, to avoid risking federal funding and potential False Claims Act liability.
- Councilmember Stasberg asked about $250,000 pass‑through to SCAP; it comes from the UD‑LIT fund with an annual agreement.
- Councilmember Ruff inquired about data tracking; Moss confirmed the Helping Bloomington Monroe database can refine neighborhood‑level needs.
Parks and Recreation Department
- Director Tim Street presented:
- 64 full‑time staff, 434 seasonal/part‑time staff. 34 parks, 300 programs, ~1 million annual participations. 2,300 acres.
- 2025 successes: CAPRA re‑accreditation, Hopewell Commons opened, accessibility improvements, farmers market reaching 5,000+ weekly visitors.
- Budget: $13.02 million (corrected). 2026 includes $260k for critical Banneker Center repairs and equipment replacement.
- One vacant position eliminated (data & special projects manager). Master plan underway with community workshop on October 8.
- Challenges: aging facilities (pools need $4‑5M, ice arena outdated cooling), property tax caps, extreme weather.
- Council questions:
- Councilmember Piedmont Smith asked about public‑private partnerships and revenue opportunities; Street said they are exploring sponsorships and pricing/subsidy targeting.
- Councilmember Rosenbarger asked about park maintenance overlaps with other departments; Street said coordinated efforts exist.
- Councilmember Daly noted a 192% increase in “instruction” line; Street said he would follow up.
- Councilmember Stasberg asked about the parks activity guide printing/mailing cost (~$150,000/year); Street said 36,000 copies mailed three times a year, with 25% of master plan respondents reporting it as a source of info.
- Councilmember Ruff asked about deer management; Street confirmed it continues.
- Councilmember Piedmont Smith asked about park security after ARPA ends; Street described current security hours (6 AM–1 AM) and safety interventions.
Public Works – Animal Care and Control
- Director Adam Wyson presented:
- 94% live release rate despite highest intake levels. 2,408 adoptions in 2024 (highest in 5 years); Jan‑Jul 2025: 1,314 adoptions.
- 3 animal control officers, 24/7 on call. Calls: 9% bite cases, 29% wildlife, 21% stray, 21% other.
- Challenges: rising medical costs, increased percentage of dogs (9% annual increase), need for volunteers.
- Council questions:
- Councilmember Piedmont Smith asked how the public can help beyond adopting; Wyson suggested volunteering and donating supplies.
- Councilmember Stasberg asked how animal control decides which wildlife to handle; Virgil Souter explained they focus on safety and disease (e.g., bat in living space, injured/deceased deer).
- Councilmember Ruff asked about euthanasia rates; Wyson said ~6% of intake are euthanized (severe medical or aggression).
Public Works – Sanitation Division
- Director Wyson presented:
- 32‑35% diversion rate from landfill. Modernization efforts continue (automated side‑load routes reduce injuries).
- 2026 budget includes decrease in other services (break room built in 2025) and decrease in capital (two trucks ordered in 2025).
- Planning a rate study to make sanitation revenue neutral.
- Council questions:
- Councilmember Piedmont Smith asked about last year’s recycling education pilot; Wyson said he would provide data.
- Councilmember Stasberg asked about inter‑fund transfer for sanitation; Controller noted actuals were not immediately available but could be provided.
City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU)
- Director Zager presented:
- 194 full‑time employees. Budget $57.7 million total revenue (water $23.1M, sewer $29.8M, storm $4.7M).
- Major challenge: water fund shortfall due to pre‑pandemic cost estimates. A one‑time loan from wastewater fund may be needed in 2026.
- Rate case pending: presented to Utility Service Board on August 26; public meeting August 29; council first reading September 17.
- Fluoridation issue: bulk tank leak since 2019; temporary fixes failed; permanent solution planned for 2027.
- Customer assistance expanded: removing shut‑off requirement; $17,000 spent this year (double last year).
- Council questions:
- Councilmember Piedmont Smith asked about the 17% interdepartmental charge; Zager explained it covers HR, IT, etc.
- Councilmember Stasberg asked about bond payments (largest budget percentage) and impact of SEA 1; Zager said utilities are not affected the same way.
- Councilmember Ruff asked about the history of fluoridation and safety issues; Zager described the leak, relining, temporary totes posing safety risks, and intent to reintroduce fluoride.
- Councilmember Piedmont Smith asked about growth costs; discussion noted bonds for new service center and that rate increases partly cover debt service.
Key Outcomes
- No votes or official actions were taken; the hearing was informational.
- Council directed administration to provide additional data on several topics: DEI definition, recycling education metrics, SCAP agreement, parks activity guide effectiveness, and actual sanitation fund transfers.
- Administration will respond to written follow‑up questions from council in the coming days.
- The next budget hearing (August 28) will cover transportation, Bloomington Transit, Planning and Transportation, and Public Works Streets/Traffic/Parking.
Meeting Transcript
Seeing that we have a forum, I'd like to call to order this budget hearing for Monday, August 25th, 2025. And as you can tell by my voice, I'm not doing so great as far as uh vocalizing tonight. So I'm going to um ask my colleague, Councilmember Rollo to chair this meeting. Um, but in the meantime, we can do a roll call, please, Clerk Bolden. Councilmember Ruff. Rallo? Here. Piedmont Smith? Here. Stasberg. Daly. Here. Zulik? Here. Rosenbarger? Here. Sorry. Thank you. Okay, tonight is our third budget hearing in August and August 25th. And we have the following topics this evening. Priority area introduction, community health and vitality, and then we have various departments community and family resources department, parks and recreation department, department of public works, which includes animal care and control division, sanitation division, and the city of Bloomington utilities. So can we begin with the priority area introduction, community health and vitality. Mayor Thompson. Welcome. Thank you. Mayor Thomson, and I'm gonna kick this off and pass it on to Deputy Mayor Knapp. I wanted to frame tonight's first topic by pointing out that it has long been the city's philosophy to universally support those who live here in Bloomington, no matter who they are. That through line has not changed. We are not wavering one bit on our values here in Bloomington. We know people care deeply about Bloomington's values, and so do we. That's why this matters. We have a fiscal reality that we're all facing, though. The funds that were used to fund the DEI training that was removed from this year's budget were one-time funds from ARPA. SEA one has further changed the funding landscape for every city in Indiana. Bloomington is not exempt from this. We have less money to work with. Revenues are tighter, so the 2026 budget must reflect that new reality. We've heard comments suggesting Bloomington is backing away from its commitments to opportunity for all. What we can't do is spend $300,000 of money that we no longer have on a one-size-fits-all training. What we will always do is keep improving how we serve residents, no matter what the budget. Thank you. I'll pass it on to Deputy Knapp. Deputy Mayor Gretchen Knapp. So what's included in the allocations that were shown in the program budget in terms of dollars, departments and divisions whose mission is largely centered in this work, CFRD, Parks and Rec, Animal Care Control, Sanitation, and CBU. There are a lot of departments and offices that also have known costs that fit under this category of community health and vitality. Common Council has the Jack Hopkins Fund, ESD has a lot of sustainable uh sustainability programming and arts programming, hands neighborhood vitality programming a portion of planning, all of that could be considered here, but those departments have already presented as we are only having each department present once. All of that could be considered here, but those departments have already presented, as we are only having each department present once. It's a very broad range of programs in here. And as we had a great meeting with the fiscal committee last week, talking about, you know, what are our next steps? How where do we go from here?
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