Bloomington city council to consider spending over $1.5 million

Posted on June 23, 2020
Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council will reconvene on Tuesday night after technology issues forced the meeting to be rescheduled.

On the agenda, council members will consider spending over $1.5 million that includes a new Toro mower and the annual software licensing and support maintenance.

Speaking with WJBC’s Scott Miller, Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason said the council is looking at spending $78,000 on a new Toro mower.

“It’s a super deluxe one, that parks (and recreation) use. The one that it’s replacing is definitely seen far better days. We have an extra level of scrutiny amidst COVID, do we really need this and need this right now. It made the list, but it’s something the park department needs.”

The council is also looking at spending $197,000 on software licensing.

“We have several different packages; I’ll call it that we use internally within city government. And there is an annual or bi-annual renewal that’s not uncommon. And it’s costly.” Gleason added. “Whenever a municipality is thinking about changing its software system to the new and shiny product out there, there is a huge consideration because it’s such a huge investment.”

The council will reconvene via Zoom at 7:30 Tuesday night.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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