Bloomington council eyes ways to overcome budget shortfall

Posted on December 20, 2017

*Interim Bloomington City Manager Steve Rasmussen is guiding aldermen through a budget process as city leaders look at ways to overcome a $3 million deficit. (Photo courtesy of City of Bloomington)*

By Howard Packowitz and WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s interim city manager wants input from aldermen and the public on ways to cut a $3 million budget deficit.

At a special meeting on Wednesday, Steve Rasmussen used the big screens at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts to show the costs of various projects for each city department.

Rasmussen is preparing council members for continued discussions in developing a budget for the next fiscal year.

“We welcome that input back from them about the things they like and the things they don’t like, and where they want to move forward on,” Rasmussen told our news partner, WMBD-TV.

“Then also we’ll look for public input. We’ll also get a lot of comments from the public about those things that the public would like to see us do and not do,” he added.

Rasmussen said the council will have to raise revenue or alter programs.

Mayor Tari Renner said he agrees with aldermen who don’t want to increase property taxes. However, Renner said at a recent town hall meeting he’s willing to consider raising some user fees to help balance the budget.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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