By: Diane Benjamin
Agenda: https://bloomingtonil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4120/files/agenda/15111
Another retiree was allowed to spike the lavish pension non-government employees will never see. This is on Bills and Payroll for tonight: PDF page 8 https://www.bloomingtonil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/33157/639256856095570000
Bloomington taxpayers will be paying the retirement fund (IMRF) a penalty to fund this.
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Only one item is on the Regular Agenda:
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Yes folks, that is $60 million. This is why water rates are sky high. Former City Manager Tim Gleason sold this as a “generational” project. The current generation is paying for it.
Today would be a good time to review this 2023 story: https://blnnews.com/2023/11/27/tax-until-nobody-is-left-to-tax/
You can review the agenda item and minutes from November 28, 2023 here: https://bloomingtonil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1444/files/agenda/1464
$60 million isn’t the entire cost. Only 2 aldermen voted against raising the water rate 33% a year for 3 years:
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Who you vote for matters. Failure to vote in local elections matters more.
Bloomington did this to avoid borrowing. Essential generational projects require debt. Building the Coliseum with 30-40 years is what should have been avoided.
I’ve noticed residents of Bloomington are finally waking up on social media and questioning why their water bill is so high. They are years too late and these same people won’t even know there is an election early next year. 2 of the YES votes are up for re-election next year. Bloomington Deserves Better.
Oh boy. All the while compensation, benefits pension/retirement system and HR/SHRM models are benefiting a select few. Many who go on to easily attain other jobs with citizen/tax funded retirement and benefits for life. All this funding seems to be quite exploitive to non “public servants” and their taxes/finances.
Lucrative indeed while taking from taxpayers while those same citizens get nothing or zero payout or pensions or COLA or benefits for life.
These systems, process and models needed addressed along time ago..
Unfortunately, citizens have zero voice or loads of resources either. Same players.
Thanks for keeping us informed at least. Perspective is hard for many in area and leadership and their connected network of friends and family state wide.
Many hard working people get the shaft then get blamed for not “managing/planning” better. A circle of deception and falsehoods and we are the test rats.
Keep up the good work.