Bloomington Common Council Budget Hearings: Parks, ESD, and Public Works - August 25, 2026
Bloomington Common Council Budget Hearings: Parks, ESD, and Public Works - August 25, 2026
This was the third evening of budget hearings for the Bloomington Common Council, held on August 25, 2026. The council reviewed proposed budgets for the Parks and Recreation Department, the Economic and Sustainable Development (ESD) Department, and multiple divisions of Public Works (Administration, Animal Care and Control, Facilities Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance, and Sanitation). Key themes included maintaining service levels amid uncertain revenues, addressing aging infrastructure, and sustainability initiatives.
Parks and Recreation Department
Director Tim Street presented the 2027 budget request, which increases 4% over the prior year. He highlighted a community prestige rating of 90%, a 50% reduction in rainouts at baseball fields, and ongoing capital needs such as leaks at the Ice Arena and Mills Pool. The department is considering a bond under $7 million for capital improvements, with payments beginning in 2028. Street noted that 53% of costs go to areas with little cost recovery, while sports (including golf) recover over 100%. The budget includes $250,000 for security (reabsorbed from ARPA, but cut by 30-35%) and $110,000 for the program guide. Councilmembers asked about the bond amount, invasive tree removal (about 80 Callery pears per year), and ecological management at Griffey Lake (deer hunt continuing, new provider). Councilmember Rollo expressed concern about taking on more debt. Councilmember Stasberg inquired about program revenue increases and fee changes. Councilmember Ruff asked about subsidy policy; Street explained targeted subsidies and cost recovery tiers. A public comment from Chris Chermji of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce supported investment in existing facilities but noted capital budgets declining 6% while overall budget grew 4%.
Economic and Sustainable Development Department
Director Jane Cooper Smith presented the ESD budget, which supports economic development, sustainability, arts, and transportation demand management. The department has 9 active staff (out of 10 approved). Key 2025-2026 accomplishments included $480,000 in climate grants, Zing Train workshop, and public art installations (A Form of Connection by Ball-Nogues Studio). 2027 priorities include supporting housing production and job creation, potentially implementing Opportunity Zones if awarded, and continuing downtown activation. The arts budget request is flat at $102,500 for BAC grants and $163,000 for organizational support. The sustainability budget includes $415,000 for building efficiency and fleet electrification. Councilmember Zulik asked about the Ready 2.0 grant match ($20,000) and the arts grants line. Councilmember Rollo raised the need for a food systems manager, citing the comprehensive plan; Cooper Smith noted the previous food policy coordinator ended in 2022 and funding would require trade-offs. Councilmember Stasberg questioned the vacant Transportation Demand Management manager position; Cooper Smith explained the position is not being posted now while they evaluate its role. Councilmember Piedmont Smith commented that ESD seems like three separate departments lacking cohesion. Public comment from Jamie Scholl asked the council to fund a food systems manager, citing national food supply risks and noting many peer cities have such positions. Councilmember Rollo supported the idea and emphasized it aligns with the comprehensive plan.
Public Works - Administration
Director Adam Wyson presented the administration budget ($3.6 million, down $100,000). Key initiatives include planning for a new operations center for street and fleet divisions (estimated $15-20 million for minimal needs), downtown maintenance (PublicWorks+), and workforce development. Highlighted the recent APWA accreditation (second agency in Indiana). Councilmember Rollo asked about the cost of the operations center; Wyson estimated $15-20 million for street and fleet. Councilmember Zulik asked about a $1.2 million increase in 'other services and charges'; Wyson attributed it to municipal election costs and the Brighton Bloomington contract. Councilmember Flaherty asked about co-location with CBU; Wyson said it's still on the table. Public comment from Christa Rimgie (Chamber of Commerce) commended the department for reducing administrative spending while increasing street and sidewalk investment. Another comment from Matthew Joseph (therapist at Center Stone) praised Brighton Bloomington and requested more funding for the program due to a waitlist. Councilmember Strasberg noted the budget reduction is partly due to reallocating liability premiums. Councilmembers expressed support for improving public works facilities.
Public Works - Animal Care and Control
Wyson presented on behalf of the shelter, which is at capacity in every sense. The 2027 budget request is $2.673 million (up $130,000, mostly personnel). The live release rate is 93%, return-to-owner rates are double the national average. Challenges include overcrowding, parvo outbreak (contained), and facility wear. Councilmember Stasberg asked about the relationship with Pets Alive; Director Virgil Sauter said they continue but have diversified spay/neuter partners. Councilmember Rollo asked about deer population counts; Sauter reported DNR found about 90 deer per square mile and discussed potential for a larger-scale count with thermal drones. Councilmember Ruff asked about the ad placement in B Square Bulletin; Wyson appreciated the outlet's support. Councilmember Stasberg promoted fostering and adoption.
Public Works - Facilities Maintenance
Wyson presented the $1.5 million budget (down $526,000 due to reallocation of downtown specialists and Brighton Bloomington to admin). The division maintains 28 city buildings, including City Hall and fire stations. Highlighted repairs to the City Hall Plaza fountain (awaiting part) and ongoing HVAC modernization. Councilmember Stasberg noted reductions in electrical services lines; Wyson explained some double budgeting was corrected. Councilmember Zulik asked about sidewalk snow clearing; Wyson said funding is in the street division for high-priority pedestrian network, while facilities handles city properties. Councilmember Piedmont Smith asked about rodenticide use; Wyson said they are researching alternatives, and use is limited to two garages.
Public Works - Fleet Maintenance
Wyson presented the $4.885 million budget (up 8%, mostly personnel). The division is fully staffed, has added a service and capital coordinator, and implemented 24/7 on-call technicians. Fuel and parts costs remain volatile. Preventative maintenance has improved (46% reduction in past-due services projected). Councilmember Rollo asked about fuel and supply lines; Wyson clarified that the budget accounts for parts, supplies, and fuel. Councilmember Stasberg appreciated the anti-idling efforts. Councilmember Rollo expressed concern about supply shocks.
Public Works - Sanitation
Wyson presented the $4.066 million budget (up 1.5%). The division handles 14,000 units, plus 33 parks and 26 city facilities. General fund support is about $1.5 million, with $300,000-$400,000 for city services. Diversion rate is about 28%, down from 42% in some years. Wyson indicated they will bring a rate increase proposal to the fiscal committee in the next 30-60 days. Councilmember Rollo asked about compostables; no recent audit. Councilmember Stasberg expressed concern about the subsidy and supported rate increases. Councilmember Piedmont Smith noted the importance of pay-as-you-throw. Councilmember Zulik thanked the team. Councilmember Rosenbarger suggested pay-as-you-throw to reduce waste.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes were taken on any budget proposals. The council will continue deliberations and may make adjustments before adoption.
- Parks and Recreation: A September 28 meeting will review draft priorities for a 2027 bond; council review expected in early 2027.
- ESD: Council expressed interest in a food systems manager position; director will explore grant funding or FTE.
- Public Works: Sanitation rate increase proposal to be brought to fiscal committee within 30-60 days. Planning for a new operations center (street/fleet) will continue with council input.
- Several councilmembers emphasized the need to balance capital investments with fiscal constraints.
Meeting Transcript
All right, seeing that we have a quorum, I'll call to order this uh special session of the Bloomington Common Council, our third evening of budget hearings. Uh tonight, let us start with the clerk calling the roll. Thank you. Councilmember Flaherty. Sasper? Here. Zulik. Here. Piedmont Smith. Here. Rahlo? Here. And I see Councilmember Asari on the screen, and he's saying that there's no audio. And while that's going, uh Councilmember Ruff and Councilmember Rosenbarger. All right, thank you. Council. Councilmember Osari can't hear us. Oh, he can now. Yay, we can hear you now. Okay, thank you. Present, if if I was asked. Yes. I think you will. All right. So today we have parks and recreation. Then we will go to economic and sustainable development. And then we have a whole lot of public works department divisions. We have administration, animal care and control, facilities maintenance, fleet maintenance, and sanitation. So let us start off with parks and recreation and Mr. Tim Street, Director. Good evening. I know we're waiting for the presentation to get up. My name is Tim Street. I'm the director of parks and recreation for the city of Bloomington. Let's test the clicker here. We're working. All right, great to be with you tonight. Tonight we have several of our leadership staff in the room with us. I'm going to introduce them. They play a huge role in directing the department and setting the budgets that you're seeing tonight. So we have Rebecca Swift. Sorry, my timer decided to go off after 20 seconds instead of 20 minutes, I think. Let me fix that real quick. Twenty minutes is a more appropriate amount of time than 20 seconds. Okay. Rebecca Swift, our operations director. Julie Ramey, our community relations manager. Molly Cochran, who's in about one month as our office manager now. Leslie Brinson, our recreation director, and Satoshi Kido, our sports director. So a huge thanks to them and to all of our park staff who just make all of this so possible.
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