By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington aldermen gave a big thumbs down Monday to Mayor Tari Renner’s idea of hiring a mayoral aide to manage a growing city.

No one other than Mayor Renner seemed to favor the proposal, although council member Scott Black said it merits further discussion because constituents are looking for a higher level of service despite reduced resources.

Council member Joni Painter said the tasks envisioned for the aide are already provided by current city staffers and the council.

She and councilman Mboka Mwilambwe also noted it’s hard to justify additional staff when the city faces structural budget deficits.

“We’ve laid the groundwork or set up a narrative where we have talked about structural deficits and then to come and on top of that to add another staffing position makes that very hard to justify,” Mwilambwe said.

Alderman David Sage scolded the Mayor for wasting the staff’s time on a proposal that didn’t have majority council backing.

“When other items that have been prioritized by a majority of the council and are supported by a majority of the council, time and energy for staff is diverted away from those, while we are having some conversation about trying to throw something up against the wall of an idea,” Sage said.

Renner noted that since 2009, the city has cut its full-time workforce to 750.

The mayor acknowledged his comment that Bloomington isn’t Mayberry anymore did not help his cause.

Bloomington resident Joe Walden said if Renner doesn’t like Mayberry, he should move.

The proposal was discussion during a special council session Monday. No vote was taken.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].