By:  Diane Benjamin

With campaigns now beginning, maybe Tari will mention for the 1000th time how many fewer employees Bloomington has now.  Truth?

Below is what was reported as payroll in 2015 and 2016 for approval at the first meeting in November.  Tari claims the payroll goes up roughly 2% every year.  (whether citizens see an increase in their salaries or not)

If payroll had increased 2% a year, the 2016 number should have been $2,324,902.23.  (2,296,962.97 x 1.02)

It’s only off $342,521

Maybe Tari can explain:

• Who got huge raises, if any
• Who got hired and for what department
• Exactly how many people are now employed by the City of Bloomington

Obviously more people are on the payroll than a year ago.  Of course, that $342,521 could be just 2-3 people with what Bloomington pays people!

Next, look at the 3rd column.  This column includes insurance, pension, and FICA/Medicare for applicable employees.  The only way to control costs is to control the number of employees.  These numbers are salaries for 2 weeks.  This is your money that is no longer available to be spent where you want it spent.  Are you getting what you pay for?  Think cost under Renner/Hales and this Council are under control?

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