This is the WFHB Local News for Monday, April 11th, 2022.

Later in the program, the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition-United Electrical Workers voted overwhelmingly in support of a strike, which is set to happen later this week. WFHB News spoke with several members of the organization in light of recent headlines.

Also coming up in the next half hour, Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton proposed to increase Local Income Tax during last week’s city council meeting. More coming up in your daily headlines.

Bloomington Redevelopment Commission

On April 4th at the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission Meeting, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development John Zody suggested that the amount of money the redevelopment commission offers for emergency home repairs be increased permanently due to the rising costs for construction materials.

Economic and Sustainable Development Director Alex Crowley gave an update on the retail spaces available at parking garages.

Zody asked the commissioners to approve the increase of emergency home repair funding for a mobile home.

The board approved the increase unanimously. The next meeting will be held on April 18th.

Mayor Hamilton Proposes Local Income Tax Increase to City Council

Photo courtesy of the City of Bloomington.

On April 6th at the Bloomington City Council meeting, Mayor John Hamilton presented his proposal to increase the Local Income Tax.

Hamilton said that Monroe County currently has a low Local Income Tax compared to surrounding counties, and that the proposed zero point eight five five percentage increase would put Monroe County in the middle; with three counties with a higher income tax and three with a lower income tax.

Council member Jim Sims responded to the mayor’s proposal saying he agreed a new revenue source is needed, but also warned that other costs have increased in the community as well.

During public comment Peter Dwarfman responded to the mayor’s presentation and asked the council to ensure the rate is feasible for all residents.

The next Bloomington City Council meeting will be held on April 13th.

Monroe County Commissioners

At the Monroe County Commissioners meeting on April 6th, the commissioners approved a grant the Health Department received from the Indiana Family Health Council.

Monroe County Board of Health Director Penny Caudill explained the Future’s Grant is a $15,000 (Fifteen thousand dollar) grant for the Future Family Planning Clinic.

Commissioner Julie Thomas said this grant is made possible because of the hard work of the health department.

County Attorney Jeff Cockerill presented an agreement with Fox Construction for highway garage relocation.

Highway Director Lisa Ridge explained that it will be better to have everyone in the department under one roof. Thomas said that it was not easy to relocate a department, and noted that the project has taken a lot of time and work.

The motion to approve the contract with Fox construction passed unanimously.

The commissioners also heard from Ridge about a contract with Yasmin L. Stump Law Group for the Fullerton Pike Stage three project. The contract amount is yet to be determined.

The commissioners approved the contract unanimously. The next commissioners meeting will be held on April 13th.

Feature Report:

On Monday, the Indiana Graduate Workers Coalition-United Electrical Workers strike authorization vote passed overwhelming in favor of the strike. WFHB News volun...