By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s Budget Task Force is expected to make some final recommendations next month.

The group is working to find ways to fill what’s expected to be about a $7 million deficit in next year’s budget.

City Manager David Hales said there seems to be support among the group for increasing the sales tax a quarter percent.

“They spent a lot of time talking about solid waste,” said Hales. “There seems to be, kind of, a loose consensus there needs to be a fee associated with every bulk waste bucket that is put out on the curb.”

Currently, the city does not charge for the first load of bulk waste removed during a month. Each subsequent load removal comes at a cost of $25.

“They didn’t necessarily get into how much to charge that, but they are trying to deal with a $2.4 million transfer each year from the general fund to the solid waste fund,” Hales said.

Hales expects to hear more details during the groups next several meetings.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].