Bloomington residents choose user fees over higher taxes

Posted on January 21, 2015

A large group of Bloomington residents are giving their input to city leaders. (WJBC File Photo)

By Andy Dahn

BLOOMINGTON – A survey of more than 600 Bloomington residents shows a majority believe user fees are a better way of raising money for city services.

The other option would be to raise taxes. City Manager David Hales said the city council will use the data as it formulates policy.

"We heard both in the survey online and last night that bulk waste should be based more on a fee for its use," Hales said. "So if you use bulk waste service, you need to pay for that as opposed to having everyone help subsidize that service."

Meanwhile, a survey shows that 84 percent of participants believe Bloomington is a great place to live, while 58 percent say it’s a good place to live.

"Good quality of life, good recreational opportunities, good opportunities for recreation and sports," Hales said. "So this is a critical factor and something that we need to continue to make a high priority in our continued economic developmental efforts."

The city has posted the results of the survey on its website.

Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…