WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Your local headlines:
Indiana saw 815 new positive cases and 55 new deaths from coronavirus. Over 1,200 new tests have been issued.
State officials said earlier this week that Indiana will continue to withhold Covid-19 nursing home data from the public. Instead, the state will accept self reported numbers from nursing homes.
Governor Eric Holcomb said incorrectly that nursing homes are private businesses.
According to an investigative report by Indy Star, more than 90 percent of Indiana’s nursing homes are owned by county hospitals, which operate under local governments.
Advocates say Governor Holcomb’s statement, “reeks of cronyism.”
Tyson Fresh Meats Plant in Logansport plans to re-open after almost 150 employees tested positive for coronavirus.
The plant will continue limited production next week after a tour with health, government and union officials, according to a news release.
The Monroe County Council approved a resolution to Temporarily Freeze the Hiring of Full and Part Time Staff in Monroe County Government during their April 28th Work Session meeting. Council member Kate Wiltz said the ordinance is to maintain county operational costs during COVID-19.
Wiltz said the resolution is effective until July first, 2020. She said departmental written requests for hires can be presented to the C0unty Council for consideration. Council member Geoff McKim questioned about positions funded by grants.
Wiltz said the county would NOT see a significant number of grant positions over the two months in which the resolution is effective. Council member Trent Deckard asked about temporary part time hires, such as election poll workers.
Council member Eric Spoonmore said the Council will entertain any other departmental hire requests. Councilors unanimously passed the resolution.
Inside Indiana Business reported a Bloomington facility was tapped for Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing.
Catalent Inc. made a deal with a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson for a large-scale manufacturing of the company’s lead vaccine candidate for coronavirus.
Within this deal, a joint investment for production at the Catalent Biologics facility in Bloomington.
Catalent says it will add 300 jobs starting in late summer. The Bloomington location currently employs over 1,200 people.
The Bloomington City Council held a 2021 Budget Advanced meeting on April 29th. During the meeting, City Controller Jeff Underwood said the Government Finance Association recommends maintenance of operating expenditures for a minimum of two months. He said Bloomington has maintained reserves to fund the budget even under a 4-month period of no revenue. Deputy Mayor Mick Rennison said COVID-19 will have impacts on the budget.
Underwood said the revenue impacts are just beginning. He said the revenue-estimated loss from April through July for parking meters alone is about 800 thousand dollars. He said Food and Beverage revenue loss is estimated at about 80 percent. Underwood said unemployment claims will also cost the city more than projected.
Underwood said Food and Beverage revenue loss could delay financial coverage for the convention center expansion. Council member Matt Flaherty asked Underwood if the city plans to spend any reserved funds.
Underwood said 80 percent of the general account income is from property and local option income taxes. Council members shared their budget priorities. Flaherty said he wants to priorities the climate crisis and economic heath through the transportation sector. Council member Kate Rosenbarger also prioritized non-motorized forms of transportation. Rollo said the food economy should be focus.
Rollo said this would protect farmland and cut carbon emissions. Council member Isabel Piedmont Smith said the curbside leaf pickup program should be cut and an expansion of the Centerstone partnership. Council member Susan Sandburg encouraged prioritizing basic city services and staffing. Council member Jim Sims focused on equity, wealth, and housing. Council member Sgambelluri prioritized core services, economic stabilization, affordability, and core neighborhoods. Council member Ron Smith focused on community health.
Council member Stephen Volan also supported prioritizing transportation and housing affordability. The final adoption of the budget and salary ordinances is scheduled for October 14th.
The deadline to register to vote in the June 2nd primary election is Monday, May 4th.
Voters may register to vote and check the status of their registration record online using the state’s portal.
In-person voting options will be available, but the recommended way to vote is to cast an absentee ballot by mail. First, you need to complete an absentee ballot application.
Early voting at the Monroe County Election Central office will be available from May 26th to June 1st at 401 West 7th Street.
Feature Reports:
- WFHB Correspondent Katrine Bruner reports on seeking medical treatment for Non-Covid-19 emergency visits.
- WFHB Correspondent Braydyn Lents discussing what plans colleges have in store for the upcoming semester.
- WFHB News Director Kade Young dissects Governor Eric Holcomb’s plans to reopen Indiana’s economy amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
