A plan before the Bloomington City Council would split the city's Economic and Community Development department into two separate entities, a change city officials say would create an "enhanced focus on economic growth."
Council members are set to vote Tuesday on a proposal to create a Department of Community Impact and Enhancement— focused on grants, community development projects, code enforcement and downtown Bloomington — and a Development Services Department, which would be tasked with overseeing economic development, planning, zoning, permitting and inspections.
In a news release, city manager Jeff Jurgens said the proposed reorganization would narrow each department's scope and better allow them to "support projects that benefit the community."
"We're excited to reorganize to ensure we are working with and helping developers in the most effective and efficient way possible," Jurgens said in the statement. "By refining its focus, the city looks to create a more streamlined process that makes Bloomington an even better place to do business."
The reorganization does not require the hiring of additional staff, but staff would be reorganized. Melissa Hon, economic and community development director, would lead the Department of Community Impact and Enhancement; Kelly Pfeifer, an assistant economic and community development director, would lead the new Development Services Department.
Additionally, Samantha Mlot, an economic development specialist, would have an expanded role working with developers and business owners; Ellen Robertson, the city's senior economic development specialist, would become the economic development manager, tasked with creating incentive programs and "taking on an elevated role in recruiting and retaining businesses," according to the news release.
The Development Services Department would prioritize economic development and other planning efforts aimed at bolstering the city's business and economic prospects; the Department of Community Impact and Enhancement will include a focus on neighborhood revitalization — one of the city's housing priorities set by city council members in July.
The proposal to split up the current Economic and Community Development department comes after city council members approved a contract with Iverson Consulting in August; at the time, Jurgens said the hope was the collaboration would result in "two to three changes by the end of 2024."
Council members will vote on the ordinance to create the two new departments on Tuesday; the meeting was moved from Monday due to Veterans Day.
