Bloomington looks to dip into reserves, give raise to city manager

Posted on April 27, 2015
Bloomington will vote on moving $3.5 million from its reserves to fill gaps in this year's budget. (WJBC file photo)
Bloomington will vote on moving $3.5 million from its reserves to fill gaps in this year’s budget. (WJBC file photo)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington aldermen will vote Monday tonight on adjusting the city’s current fiscal year budget.

City Manager David Hales is recommending moving $3.5 million from its reserves to the operating fund. He said the largest reason for the move is a $1.6 million gap in the solid waste fund.

“We’re also transferring approximately a half-a-million dollars each to the golf fund and the (U.S.) Cellular Coliseum fund,” Hales said.

Hales said the dropping revenues are the reason for the gap in the golf fund. The money to the Coliseum fund is the result of smoke and general exhaust system repairs.

“However, balancing out that is the about $600,000 settlement which we received from the various parties that were, basically, sued because we thought they had some liability,” Hales said.

Also on Monday, the City Council will vote on a salary increase for Hales. The increase is due to aldermen giving Hales a “commendable” performance review for 2014. If approved, Hales’ salary would be increased by 2.5 percent to $181,026.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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