Heads up, Bloomington residents: the city council is gearing up to potentially adopt a pricey new assessment roll for public improvements. According to a notice of public hearing released by the City of Bloomington, the council plans to hold a public hearing on October 14, to discuss and perhaps approve an initiative that includes a slew of upgrades such as common excavation, concrete curb and gutter, grading, base construction, bituminous resurfacing, turf restoration, and landscaping.
The meeting is set to take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Bloomington Civic Plaza or via digital channels, indubitably offering community members an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed changes. The price tag on these improvements stands at an estimated $7.6 million, with proposed assessments accounting for roughly $1.3 million of that total. Those who can't make it in person have options—they can watch on BTV or online or join remotely during the public comment period by dialing in and, entering the access code and password provided on the hearing notice, then pressing *3 to chime in.
Providing input doesn't end, or start, at the hearing. If you want your voice heard but can't attend, Bloomington's got you covered. You can offer comments before the meeting by either leaving a voicemail or shooting an email to the council secretary no later than 2 p.m. on the meeting date, and don't forget to throw in your name, phone number, and address for good measure. Make sure to mention if you're also planning to call in during the live session for that double-whammy of civic engagement. All the related meeting documents and agendas are up for grabs on the city's meetings web page.
For those with a penchant for detail, or just some time to kill, the proposed assessment roll is available for public inspection at the City Clerk's office during the work week. Got questions? Brian Hansen's your man—give him a call. And for the non-English speakers out there, the City's offering translations—just ping them via email. Whether you're ready to dig in your heels against the assessments or champion the renovations, it's clear the city is angling for its community to get involved, participate, and help shape Bloomington's infrastructure face-lift.
