City and county officials continue to clash over the future of the Monroe County Convention Center. Officials have been working on an expansion project, but they have run into their fair share of roadblocks along the way.

Monday evening, city and county officials met to negotiate a solution attempted to appease all parties involved. Disagreements between the city and the county remain evident, especially regarding property transfer to a capital improvement board. In short, both the city and the county have yet to form a capital improvement board, which would oversee the expansion project.

The disagreement in the property transfer continues to stall the expansion. County officials such as attorney Margie Rice remain hopeful, saying it’s time to resolve the issue.

“I think the county commissioners and the county council feel we’ve made progress," said Rice. "If we can focus on that, I think we’ll get there.”

However, Rice argues land south of the Convention Center, as far south as Second Street, should not be transferred to the Capital Improvement Board.

The mayor sums up the city’s point-of-view by saying he wants the city to allocate revenue from the city’s Innkeeper’s Taxes to a capital improvement board. He added city-owned parcels near the Convention Center should be transferred to the capital improvement board.

Deputy Mayor Mick Renneisen said the county and the city have different goals in giving up land to a Capital Improvement Board for the convention center expansion. Renneisen explains the city’s side.

“I think there are two differing version of the map that was shown last night at the meeting,” he said.

Another issue stems from the County Convention Center and the Visitor’s Commission.

Renneisen said he has a unique position to see firsthand how the money flows from the Innkeeper’s tax revenue to both Visit Bloomington and the convention center.

“Well I happen to be a sitting board member of Visit Bloomington," said Renneisen.

County attorney Margie Rice gave the county’s perspective in fairly issuing funds from tax revenue to the convention center and Visit Bloomington.

Renneisen spoke on behalf of the city. He said both parties should focus on commonalities while working out the details.

“In the big picture of things," she said, "I hope that happens sooner than later.”

A meeting has been scheduled to resolve tensions between county and city leaders on Monday, March Second.