By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s budget task force plans to present final recommendations to the city council next month as it seeks ways to close a $7 million deficit.
The document includes dozens of ideas for spending reductions and a few for raising revenue, including increasing the sales tax up to a half percent to address the deficit and possibly another half percent for things like pensions and capitol projects. Another proposal would raise the property tax to cover the cost of police and fire pension funding.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Renner on WJBC.
Mayor Tari Renner told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin there are some ideas he doesn’t like but it’s likely not all of them will be necessary.
“We don’t need all of those very likely to close the budget gap, I think those are the ones there seems to be consensus on that we should explore,” Renner said.
A few ideas Renner noted he opposes, foregoing $1.5 million in accelerated payments for police and fire pensions and outsourcing the solid waste program.
“It’s pretty hard to save money on that, especially under the circumstances,” Renner said. “It might cost us money.”
Renner didn’t say whether he supported any tax hike, but has said he won’t pick apart the group’s recommendations if there’s consensus.
The panel has suggested exploring combining the management of U.S. Cellular Coliseum and the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, though it hasn’t determined whether that would save money.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
