By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington mayoral candidate Ian Bayne is running for mayor for three reasons: to cut the sales tax to 6.5 percent, cut property taxes, and repair the streets.

Bayne said the increasing taxes have caused businesses to leave. He added the city’s budget has increased from $169 million to $207 million in the last three years. That’s a 23 percent increase in spending. Bayne said the city needs to control its spending.

“This is just one example, it’s a good one that drives it home, $821 office chair purchased Oct. 2, 2014. That’s one example of the kind of city government care-taking of your money that’s going on,” he said.

Bayne said he doesn’t feel the current administration has the backs of the city’s police.  He pointed to the fact the city took extra time to approve the west side community house proposal as evidence.

“Crime is out of control,” said Bayne. “And to go and propose a police substation, and to back off, and then for the mayor to go and say well maybe we’ll just pull the plug on the thing all together – I have no idea where to go. I don’t understand the mentality.”

Bayne faces incumbent Mayor Tari Renner, aldermen Diana Hauman and Kevin Lower, and Robert Fike in a primary election next month. The top two vote getters will advance to April’s election.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].