City Council - Regular Meeting

Hello Bloomington, I'm Mayor Tim Busse and this is the Council Minute for the week of June 15th. It is mid-June, which means that the City of Bloomington is already hard at work on the City budget for 2027 and 2028. This week, the Council received an update on Bloomington's first-ever two-year budget cycle. Staff emphasized that Bloomington is entering the budget process from a position of strength. Recent survey results show that 89% of residents rate Bloomington as a good or excellent place to live, and 9 out of 10 residents say they feel safe in their neighborhoods. Crime has declined, major community investments continue to move forward, and the city remains in a strong financial position. At the same time, the Council discussed the financial pressures facing residents, businesses, and local governments. Inflation, housing costs, and uncertainty in federal and state funding will all play a role in the upcoming budget conversation. The goal of the City's budget process is to maintain the high-quality services residents expect, while remaining mindful of affordability concerns across our community. As I mentioned, this is the first time Bloomington is working on a two-year or biennial budget. As the name implies, a two-year budget process is a framework that covers two consecutive fiscal years rather than one. It means that the city will develop, approve, and execute a spending plan that covers the full 24-month period of 2027 and 2028, with a mid-cycle review to make adjustments if necessary. The new two-year budget process will help the City better align resources with community priorities, performance measures, and long-term strategic goals. Staff also reported that community engagement is already underway. Through events including Bloomington Home Fair and Bloomington Pride, City staff have spoken with hundreds of residents about the budget, with feedback so far described as overwhelmingly positive. Additional opportunities for public input will continue throughout the summer and fall, before the Council adopts the final budget and tax levy in December. On Monday, the Council also heard a five-year update of Bloomington's Park System Master Plan. First adopted in 2021, the plan serves as the City's long-term roadmap for parks, trails, recreation facilities, natural resources, and future investments. Staff reported that approximately 74 percent of the plan's priorities have already been completed or are underway, including park improvements, natural resource projects, and equity-focused investments. The update helps to determine what comes next. City staff will evaluate park conditions, recreation trends, athletic field demand, community access, and long-term funding needs to help prioritize future investments across the park system. The discussion also focused on equitable access to parks and recreation. Council members emphasized the importance of understanding how residents use parks, identifying areas of the city with fewer recreation options, and ensuring future investments provide the greatest community benefit. You won't be surprised to hear that, as part of the review, the City will engage residents, user groups, and community stakeholders in the discussion. Staff will return to the Council with recommendations later this year. Finally, the Council held a public hearing on proposed updates to Bloomington's corner lot standards. Under the current City Code, corner lots are subject to additional requirements that can limit where homes, garages, and accessory structures can be located. Those requirements can also create challenges for home additions and certain housing opportunities. The changes approved Monday night will reduce some setback requirements, provide more flexibility for accessory structures, and update lot size and width standards to better reflect today's development patterns. The goal is to remove unnecessary barriers for property owners while maintaining safety, visibility, and neighborhood character. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposal and unanimously recommended approval before it came to the City Council for consideration. That will do it for this week's Council Minute. Thanks so very much for tuning in. Until next time, stay safe, Bloomington.