Bloomington plans to significantly ramp up roadwork using revenue from its 2019 gas tax increase in a record-setting budget plan.
City Finance Director Scott Rathbun will present the $230.3 million spending plan to the council on Monday night.
Rathbun said the city plans to spend $8.2 million on infrastructure repairs and resurfacing, about a 40% increase over the current budget year. Rathbun said the city's projections of increased revenue from the tax were on target.
“The concern being if you raise the tax on something like gasoline whether or not you are going to chase some of that consumption out of your municipality, but we haven’t realized that,” Rathbun said.
The budget marks a 1.2% increase over the current budget of $227.5 million. A key reason for the increase, Rathbun said, was an increase in capital projects due to multiple projects being delayed, including the extension of Hamilton Road from Bunn to Commerce and Fox Creek Road and bridge improvements.
The projected $41 million in capital improvements marks a 2.2% increase over the $40.1 million budgeted for this year. Rathbun said the city held funds from those delayed projects in reserve so they can be spent this year.
The capital improvements also include designs for O’Neil Pool renovations. City officials have been looking for ways to replace the aging pool for years.
Rathbun noted the city’s tax revenues grew about 1.5% overall last year, which he said is a reflection of modest economic growth.
“We are fortunate that the economy and the local economy has been on a very positive trend over the last two years,” he said. “That has had a positive impact going into the 2021 budget."
The city plans to hold a public hearing on the budget March 9, and the city council is expected to vote on the spending plan April 13. The new budget would take effect May 1.
Census
A representative from the U.S. Census Bureau, senior partnership specialist Caryl Riley, will discuss with the city council Monday night how the city can enhance its efforts to boost participation in the 2020 population count.
Bloomington communications manager Nora Dukowitz said city staff has been involved in a committee of government officials, planners and other stakeholders that is seeking ways to market the census and developing outreach strategies.
The census will have a new online option that’s expected to open in March, but the bureau will continue its mail and phone options.
Dukowitz said those who don’t respond can expect a visit from paid census takers.
“It’s important to educate people that they know who legitimate census takers are, that they will be clearly identified because we want to help people avoid fraud situations," Dukowitz said.
Dukowitz said each resident not counted represents a loss of $17,000 in federal funding over 10 years.
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