By HOI ABC
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s ‘Committee of the Whole’ met Monday via Zoom conference call to discuss the 2021 budget and the possibility of a community stimulus. The meeting started with a presentation of the 2021 budget and how it’s expected to be impacted by COVID-19.
City Manager Tim Gleason thanked the council and his predecessors at City Hall for putting the city in a good position financially. “The city sits at right about 22 million dollars in un-obligated cash reserves. The city is in a decent position because we’ve always been preparing for COVID-19, even though we didn’t know COVID-19 was on the horizon,” he explained.
The 2021 fiscal year begins for Bloomington on May 1. Gleason explained to the council they currently have a $22 million dollar surplus in their general fund. Assuming an 8.5% reduction in revenue based off of 2008 recession models, the city plans on losing anywhere from $5 to $10 million due to the coronavirus crisis.
Some, including several callers during public comment and council member Jeff Crabill, think the surplus should be used to help out those in need. “Puts us in a good position to help meet this moment and rise to the occasion to put up the funds necessary in order to be able to support our neighbors in these struggling times,” explained “Louis” a Bloomington resident.
Crabill explained the idea, “Eligibility should be simple. Based on proving job status residency, and what expenses they have to pay and cannot meet. The goal should be to put money into people’s hand as quickly as possible.”
The council voted 5-4 NOT in favor of adding the item to the discussion at their April 27 council meeting. Those voting in favor of further discussion on the idea were Julie Emig, Jenn Carrilli, Scott Black, and Jeff Crabill. Those voting against were Jamie Mathy, Donna Boelen, Mboka Mwilambwe, Joni Painter, and Kim Bray.
“Having a further conversation about this will just stir up more widespread panic on this. When we have everything available within our community,” added Painter. While Bray explained, “This simply evidences a complete lack of focus of the roles and responsibilities charged on us as municipal officials.”
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