WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, May 21st, 2024.
Later in the program, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners denied a memorandum of understanding with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation in the amount of $30,000.
More in today’s headlines.
Also coming up in the next half hour, Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund.
But first, your local headlines:
Monroe County Council
The Monroe County Council met this Tuesday, May 14th. During their meeting, President of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation Jennifer Pearl and the President of Nhanced Semiconductors, Bob Patti shared with the council that Nhanced Semiconductors will no longer be pursuing a plan at the former GE plant. Patti spoke on the change in plans.
Pearl elaborated on the process, saying that although the plant will not be going further, she said it has made the Economic Development Corporation more aware of other opportunities.
Council Member Cheryll Munson said they hoped to work together in the future.
Later in the meeting, council members heard Soil and Water Conservation District’s new Conservation Resource Specialist and Manager job descriptions for approval, and to send the job descriptions to Wagner Irwin and Sheele, also known as WIS, the county’s consulting Human Resource firm that handles the county’s job classifications.
Council President Trent Deckard said that the Personnel Administration Committee recommended the positions for approval, and noted they had been included in the last budget. The council first heard from the Soil and Water Conservation Board.
Chair of the Board Whitney Schlegel, explained why the new positions are necessary.
Council Member Marty Hawk said she was upset that it was in the budget and she wasn’t made aware of it in the PAC meeting.
Council President Deckard responded that it has been discussed in the past.
The next comment came from Council Member Peter Iverson.
Council Member Marty Hawk was no longer seen present in the meeting following Iverson’s comment. Munson suggested that they table the item until their next meeting. The motion to table the item passed 4-1, without Councilor Hawk present.
The next Monroe County Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 28th.
Monroe County Board of Commissioners
During the May 15th meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners, the commissioners heard a memorandum of understanding with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation in the amount of $30,000.
County Attorney Jeff Cockerill walked through changes made to the agreement and what the M-O-U would entail.
President of the B-E-D-C Jennifer Pearl thanked the commissioners for considering the agreement and for the work they do in the community.
During public comment, county Council President Trent Deckard said the B-E-D-C helps attract new jobs in the community and shared his support for the agreement.
Commission Member Penny Githens said she’s generally supportive of the B-E-D-C; however, she does have some concerns with the economic development corporation. Ultimately, Githens said she would not support the M-O-U.
Commissioner Lee Jones echoed Githens’ comments saying she doesn’t think the B-E-D-C is supportive of the county’s interests.
Commissioner Julie Thomas also said she feels the same way as her colleagues, criticizing the conduct of the B-E-D-C.
The M-O-U with the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation failed by a 2-1 vote, with Thomas voting a “reluctant yes.” The next Monroe County Commissioner meeting will be held on May 22nd.
Feature Report:
Up next, we have Lil Bub’s Lil Show – a co-production between WFHB and Lil Bub’s Big Fund. We now turn to that segment on the WFHB Local News.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, Kate Chmielewski and Kade Young, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Lil Bub’s Lil Show is 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.
