Bloomington council introduces three 2025 budget ordinances, refers them to Committee of the Whole

Presiding officer called the special session of the Bloomington Common Council to order on Sept. 25, 2024, and announced three appropriation ordinances for first reading and referral to the Committee of the Whole to be held immediately after the special session.

The council introduced Appropriation Ordinance 2024-O-5, "an ordinance for appropriations and tax rates establishing the 2025 civil city budget for the city of Bloomington," by title and synopsis only after a motion to introduce was moved and seconded and approved by roll call. A separate motion introduced Appropriation Ordinance 2024-O-6, described by the clerk as "an ordinance adopting a budget for the operation, maintenance, debt service and capital improvements for the water and wastewater utility departments of the city of Bloomington, Indiana for the year 2025," noting the ordinance had been approved by the utility service board in July 2024. The third motion introduced Appropriation Ordinance 2024-O-7, "Appropriations and tax rates for Bloomington Transportation Corporation for 2025." All three items were referred to the Committee of the Whole for immediate discussion.

The session included a brief procedural exchange about remote participation for Council member Rallo. When the presiding officer asked whether Rallo could participate remotely for this meeting, Interim Attorney Administrator Kulak said, "It can," but added that the final adoption meeting on Oct. 9 would require in-person attendance: "Everyone needs to be in person." The presiding officer also read a land and labor acknowledgment, stating, "We recognize that the city sits on native land," and naming the Miami, Delaware, Potawatomi and Shawnee peoples while acknowledging the role of enslaved African labor in local development.

Each ordinance was introduced for first reading by motion and a roll-call vote to introduce. The clerk recorded affirmative responses from council members present on each introduction roll call; the recorded introductions passed without recorded opposition. The presiding officer said other budget-related items'including a general obligation bond update from the city controller and a discussion of elected official salaries for 2025'would also be discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting.

The special session adjourned and immediately reconvened as the Committee of the Whole with Council member Rosenbarger as chair to continue the budget discussion.

Next steps: all three appropriation ordinances are scheduled for further consideration in the Committee of the Whole convened after the special session; the council noted final budget adoption is scheduled for Oct. 9 and that members must attend that meeting in person.