Bloomington reviews FY2027 budget with $148.3M general fund and $82M water capital plan
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Summary
Finance Director Scott Rathburn presented the FY2027 proposed budget March 23: a $148.3 million general fund, large citywide capital spending driven by an $82 million water capital program, and increased allocations for streets, sidewalks and public safety; council asked for trend data and clarifications about multi‑year water spending.
Finance Director Scott Rathburn delivered a high‑level review of Bloomington’s proposed FY2027 budget at a public hearing on March 23, identifying a $148.3 million general‑fund budget and a citywide total of about $370.5 million driven by a near‑$112 million capital program, including roughly $82 million for water projects.
Rathburn told the council the year‑over‑year budget increase is driven mainly by capital projects, particularly an accelerated water capital program. “That’s really what’s driving up the budget this year,” Rathburn said, noting staff anticipated front‑ending several large water projects and that borrowing and multi‑year cash flow strategies are under consideration.
Why it matters: council members pressed staff on whether the water‑driven increase is temporary and on longer‑term revenue trends. Rathburn said the water capital spike is not expected to be the norm and that the city may split borrowing to address cash needs over multiple years; he also said projections anticipate the budget normalizing over about three years while some water replacement work extends longer.
Key figures and priorities: • General fund: $148.3 million (up from roughly $137 million). • Citywide budget: about $370.5 million, up from roughly $318.9 million. • Water capital: approximately $82 million this fiscal year (part of a larger multi‑year program). • Streets and sidewalks: $6.16 million dedicated to road and sidewalk work. • Public safety: about $76.3 million allocated for fire and police services (noted as more than 51% of the general fund).
Rathburn also reviewed service metrics and transparency resources (police calls, fire calls, building permits, and online budget materials), described projected use of reserves and the first projections column introduced in the monthly exhibits, and said current year revenues—especially sales tax—are trending above earlier expectations.
Council follow‑up and next steps: council members requested trend exhibits over multiple years (beyond the point‑in‑time snapshots presented), further detail on how labor or operational efficiencies might be realized, and clarification on work‑comp claim trends. Rathburn said staff would provide requested trend data and noted some revenue increases reflect state legislative changes affecting sales‑tax allocations.
The public‑hearing record was opened and closed during the meeting; no final budget adoption occurred that evening.
