By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Even though Bloomington could vote on a sales tax increase as early as next week, the city’s budget task force isn’t expected to produce its recommendations for plugging a $7 million deficit until later this month.
Alderman David Sage told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the task force has been looking at ways to raise revenue while also cutting expenses, which he said could involve selling one of its golf courses or outsourcing its operations.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Sage on WJBC.
“Does the city need to provide every service that it’s always provided?,” Sage asked. “Golf courses may be one of those areas we are going to talk about.”
Sage wouldn’t say whether the council would endorse a tax increase. Even though it’s been a part of the public dialogue for weeks, Sage said the city council hasn’t had much discussion about it yet.
“We’ve not had a conversation as a council,” Sage said. “Clearly it’s been out there in the public space having been talked about in media and other places,” Sage said.
Sage said the group will call for an audit of the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts saying that it needs to reduce its costs.
The task force’s recommendations are expected to be presented to the city council on Sept. 21 at a Committee of the Whole meeting.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
