Bloomington finance committee adopts 4% placeholder for 2026 budget as health premiums rise

The Village of Bloomington Finance & Purchase Committee met Sept. 23 and agreed to use a 4% placeholder increase across most expense lines in the initial 2026 budget while key revenue figures are still being finalized. Clerk/Treasurer Shawna Atterbury told the committee that many revenue streams had not yet been calculated and that the placeholder would allow staff to present a coherent draft when the proposed budget is submitted to the newspaper in mid-October.

Atterbury reported that Medical Associates health insurance rates will increase 18.4%, raising the village’s current monthly premium from $2,233 to $2,633.19 and increasing deductibles (single coverage from $6,000 to $6,500; family coverage to $13,000). She said the plan also contains some cost reductions such as a lower primary-care visit copay ($35 down to $20). The committee factored those projections into the placeholder guidance for employee benefits.

Committee members discussed revenue items that will affect the final draft. Atterbury said mobile home fees have already produced about $2,000—well above the $500 figure budgeted originally—because new trailers were added. She warned that grant and loan proceeds tied to recent construction are not recurring revenues. The committee also noted that water and sewer revenue will be affected by recent rate increases, including a 30% sewer increase and an unspecified water increase, and that staff (including Jay Bennett) would help refine meter-based revenue estimates.

On expenses, the committee agreed to raise the police-services line to $6,000 for 2026 to reflect contracting for about four hours of coverage per week (up from a $5,300 line item). The committee also reviewed insurance and fire-protection costs; committee discussion referenced a roughly $68,000 figure for fire protection and hydrant rental for 2026. Office and clerk-related lines were adjusted: clerk miscellaneous was set at $2,500 (tracking at about $2,300 year to date) and office expenses reduced to $7,500.

Library spending received separate attention. The committee increased the books line to $7,000 after reporting that about $5,200 had already been spent; it reduced library miscellaneous to $8,000 and set the history-room budget at $550. Members flagged confusion about reimbursement procedures between the history-room funds and library accounts and asked staff to clarify the accounting treatment before adoption.

Parks and equipment needs were discussed: parks miscellaneous was increased to $7,500 to cover ongoing needs and projects, including recent concrete work and a planned roof project. The committee discussed purchasing a new lawnmower for $12,500 and indicated a plan to finance $10,000 of that cost similar to prior equipment financing; the equipment line was otherwise maintained at $10,000.

Snow removal and vendor contracts were also raised. Members asked staff to confirm whether Roy Quick’s snow removal agreement covers one or two years and to check whether he will continue at the same rate ($150 per hour per machine).

Clerk Atterbury outlined the budget calendar and next steps: employee-wage discussions will occur at the October board meeting in closed session; the proposed budget needs to be submitted to the newspaper by Oct. 13–14 to satisfy a 15-day notice requirement; a public hearing could be held Nov. 3 during the board meeting; and the budget must be approved by Dec. 1 so property-tax notices can be mailed by Dec. 15.

The committee took no formal final vote on the full budget at the Sept. 23 meeting; it approved the meeting agenda at the start of the session and adjourned by motion at the end of the meeting. The committee directed staff to refine revenue estimates, confirm contract terms with vendors, and bring updated figures to the next meeting.