WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:02 — 41.3MB)
Subscribe: RSS
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, October 31st, 2023.
Later in the program, Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin reports on a potential consolidation of several city commissions. We turn to Askins for more. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, we rebroadcast Episode 34 of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Commissioners
At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on October 25th, Commissioner Penny Githens gave an update on the jail, and what they are currently working on.
Later, Personnel Administrator Elizabeth Sensenstein asked the commissioners to approve the 2024 Anthem Medical Plans Summary for Monroe County Employees.
Commissioner Julie Thomas thanked Sensenstein for the work that was done. Sensenstein highlighted the work of Commissioners’ Administrator, Angie Purdie, for bargaining to keep the cost of insurance as stable as possible amidst rising costs.
The commissioners unanimously approved the medical plan summary.
Next, the commissioners heard from County Attorney Jeff Cockerill about Ordinance 2023-44, to amend Monroe County Code to include the collective bargaining agreement with highway workers.
The commissioners unanimously approved the ordinance. They also unanimously approved the bargaining agreement.
The commissioners also approved a feasibility study for the current jail. The agreement with R-Q-A-W was for $40,000 to study possible alternatives to the construction or reconstruction of the county jail. Cockerill explained what prompted the study.
Commissioner Githens asked how long it would take to complete the study. Cockerill explained that it is set to take two months, however, he noted that we are approaching the holiday season and it might take a little longer consequentially.
The agenda notes that after completion, the County will hold a public hearing on this feasibility study.
The next Monroe County Commissioners meeting will be held on November 1st.
Bloomington Board of Public Works
At the Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting on October 24th, the board heard a request for an abatement at 2501 East 8th Street from Housing and Neighborhood Development Neighborhood Compliance Officer, Rob Council.
Board Member Elizabeth Karon asked if there is anything the city can do to further support the individual since they said they were struggling with mental health. Council responded.
Board President Kyla Cox Deckard asked if the resident was present to speak on the abatement. Council shared he was not in attendance.
The board unanimously approved the abatement.
The next Bloomington Board of Public Works meeting will be held on November 8th.
Ellettsville Town Council
At the Ellettsville Town Council meeting on October 23rd, the council discussed Ordinance 2023-15, a General Obligation Bond Ordinance on property tax in Ellettsville. The General Obligation Bond would go toward funding a new Maintenance Facility. An advisor from Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, Principal Matt Eckerle, was brought in to explain the intricacies of the ordinance, and the impact the General Obligation bond would have on property taxes.
Council President William Ellis clarified that this General Obligation Bond would be a continuation of a previous bond, and said that due to the increase in new residential developments residents likely won’t see an increase in their property taxes. He explained this is because the town expects to establish 6 million dollars worth of additional property tax assessment value which will be added to the tax rolls in January of 2024.
Eckerle responded saying that the 19 dollar increase only takes into account the current property values. He said that the addition of new property could take the burden off of current taxpayers. However, Eckerle said it is not a guarantee that residents will not see any increases, due to there being a variety of factors that play into tax rates.
Eckerle added that Baker Tilly will continue to monitor the town’s assessed value as the town continues to grow.
The ordinance was unanimously approved without council discussion or public comment.
The next Ellettsville Town Council Meeting will be held on November 6th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, Dave Askins of the B-Square Bulletin reports on a potential consolidation of several city commissions. We turn to Askins for more.
Up next, we rebroadcast Episode 34 of Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between the WFHB Local News and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Ashley Voss, Annika Harshbarger, Elyse Perry and Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Dave Askins.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is co-produced by Christine Brackenhoff and Stacy Bridavsky.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
