By Joe Ragusa
BLOOMINGTON – The task force in charge with tackling a projected $7 million deficit in Bloomington’s budget for the next fiscal year is about a week away from finalizing a draft of recommendations.
The Budget Task Force met Monday night to iron out that draft, but some issues are still up in the air, like what to do with the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.
“There was consensus on the need for some miscellaneous department reductions,” Task Force Chairman and Alderman David Sage said. “Those aren’t spelled out yet.”
Sage said it’s possible the city could sell the BCPA but it’s too early to tell what the task force will recommend and way too early to tell what the council will decide.
“Something has to change there because we can’t continue to have a deficit (at the BCPA) that’s hundreds of thousands of dollars each year,” Sage said.
The task force will also discuss potential revenue increases, like home rule sales tax and property taxes, prior to making a draft recommendation to the city council at its meeting Aug. 21.
The Budget Task Force is also considering a proposal to suspend whats known as the city’s “ramp up” pension payment to police and fire pensions next year. That’s $1.5 million on top of the required state minimum and current supplemental payments.
There’s also several potential changes to the city’s bulk waste pickup program being considered, including some new proposals discussed Monday night. It’s possible the city could outsource all solid waste pickup or add a special bulk waste charge to landlords.
The final recommendations are due Sept. 21.
Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].
