Monroe County commissioners voted Dec. 18 to adopt Resolution 2025-58, which requires the county to provide a minimum of 30 days’ notice before removing homeless encampments on county property, except in defined emergencies. The board said notices would not be issued before March 2, 2026, to allow time for coordination and outreach.

The resolution specifies exceptions when an immediate removal may be required — including a determination of emergency by law enforcement, the Monroe County health officer, or a removal request by the City of Bloomington — and asks county and city elected leaders to convene a working group to recommend next steps.

Public reaction: The item drew extended public comment and debate. Peter Iverson, president pro tem of the county council, thanked commissioners for the amendments and asked that outreach include contracted street-outreach providers (HealthNet). David Henry, an emergency management practitioner and resident, said the problem is larger than a notice period and argued the 2019 ordinance treats encampments as trespass rather than an emergency response, saying “the fatal flaw is in the 2019 ordinance.”

Several residents raised concerns about process and transparency. Ashley Shonting, a resident involved with the Thompson property issue, said in public comment, “This is not what the community asked for,” arguing the resolution contained caveats that would make the protection almost meaningless during winter and urging more community involvement. Joe Davis raised practical questions about definitions of encampment, which county properties the rule would apply to and how notices would be posted and coordinated with service providers.

Board response and next steps: Commissioners said the resolution is a first step, not a final solution. They committed to forming a working group with city and county leaders and to clarify processes for notice distribution and partner outreach. The board approved the resolution by voice vote (motion carried 3–0).