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Council debates franchise fee increase to fund pavement, sidewalks, retaining walls and a loan program for home energy upgrades
Summary
Council heard a detailed staff presentation on a proposed franchise fee increase to sustain pavement management, add funding for retaining walls and sidewalks, and seed a sustainability program to help insulate homes; no final vote was taken—staff will pursue community engagement and a May public hearing.
City staff on March 17 presented a multi-part proposal to increase Bloomington’s electric and natural‑gas franchise fees to support the city’s pavement management program (PMP), sidewalk and ADA improvements, retaining‑wall repairs and a new sustainability fund aimed at home energy upgrades such as attic and wall insulation.
Public Works and sustainability staff walked the council through program needs, past pavement and trail work funded by franchise fees (since 2016 the city has performed more than 202 miles of seal coats and 75 miles of overlays), and an inventory of sidewalks and pedestrian ramps. Public Works manager Bob Simons said the city’s pavement condition remains strong overall but noted growing retaining‑wall replacement needs on…
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