Bloomington looking at new budget, considering Metro Zone termination

Posted on February 27, 2017
Bloomington budget proposal
Bloomington’s proposed budget is $213.8 million. (Photo by Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington aldermen will take their first look Monday at the next fiscal year’s budget.

The proposed budget is $213.8 million, which is a 3 percent increase from the previous year. Finance Director Patti-Lynn Silva said that’s an accomplishment considering the $24 million in infrastructure projects they’ve budgeted for.

“One of the challenges that we had to cover some of those initiatives has remained flat, even our new home rule sales tax – the 1 percent sales tax that we raised last year – the sales tax has really remained flat,” she said.

Silva explained they’re accounting some savings from the possible termination of the Metro Zone agreement, which the City Council plans to vote on Monday.

“We normally pay $1.2 million a year to Normal,” Silva said.

Also Monday, the council will hear a report from Police Chief Brendan Heffner on last year’s crime statistics.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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