WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Wednesday, October 5th, 2022.
Later in the program, WFHB Correspondent Kay Weinberg reports on the DeepMay technology bootcamp in Paoli, Indiana. More in today’s feature report.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Hard Zelle on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB hosted and produced by Richard Fish. But first, your local headlines:
Bloomington City Council Committee of the Whole
On Wednesday September 28, the Bloomington City Council convened to discuss 6 pieces of legislation relating to the 2023 fiscal year. The legislation concerned fixed salaries for city government employees either union or non-union, 2023 tax rates for Bloomington Transportation, the general city budget, and the budget for the management of Bloomington’s water utility department.
Mayor John Hamilton outlined three points regarding how he hopes the budget would be transformative for the city.
Hamilton spoke about how he believes the budget supports city government employees.
Council Member Dave Rollo brought up the city’s current inflation rate, and asked Mayor Hamilton about how the proposed budget would affect the paychecks of Bloomington Public sector employees who are members of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Union.
Mayor Hamilton provided an update on ongoing negotiations with unionized city employees and expressed confidence in the legislation.
Rollo expressed doubt over whether or not the mayor had answered his question regarding the base pay of unionized workers. Rollo then asked the mayor about the ongoing issue of retention of Bloomington Police officers.
The council then moved into discussion regarding an ordinance fixing the salaries of officers of the Police and Fire Departments for the City of Bloomington in 2023.
Human Resources Director for the city Caroline Shaw presented the legislation and explained the recent changes.
Council Member Isabel Piedmont-Smith asked for clarification regarding the change in payment for police overtime salaries. Shaw responded.
During public comment, Bloomington Chamber of Commerce representative Christopher Emgee expressed the chamber’s support for city law enforcement and the importance of officer retention.
Rollo said he would be voting no on the budget based on the budget proposal endorsing the hiring of additional personnel to ensure police officer retention and proposed alternative cost-saving options.
Council Member Susan Sandberg agreed with Council Member Rollo’s concerns and announced she would be abstaining from the vote.
According to state law, the budget will need to be finalized by the end of October. The Bloomington City Council will meet for an adoption of the budget in a special session on October 12th.
Feature Report:
In today’s feature report, WFHB Correspondent Kay Weinberg reports on the DeepMay technology bootcamp – a 10-day intensive camp in Paoli, Indiana that combines technical rigor and the communal ethos of DIY world-building. We turn to Kay Weinberg for more.
Up next, Hard Zelle on Better Beware – your weekly consumer watchdog segment on WFHB. We turn to host and producer Richard Fish for more.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Kay Weinberg.
Better Beware is produced by Richard Fish.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
