by: Diane Benjamin Government will never live within their means because they aren’t forced to. Citizens just sit back and take whatever is thrown at them. Many groups want your money: Unit 5, District 87, Soccer people, Community Center people, County Board, Library people, City of Bloomington – and there are probably more I forgot. […]
The buzz is the Bloomington Police Union wanted anybody but the guy David Hales picked to be the new police chief. It’s not about the guy personally, it is about his experience. Why would David Hales hire the guy anyway? Evidently, the Mayor and the Council had no vote. Why do we have elections […]
Roads are more and more difficult to navigate without major car repairs, pensions are seriously under-funded, union employees are very unhappy with Hales, staff levels continue to increase after paying people to quit, mandatory disclosures to the public haven’t been done for YEARS, outsourcing (managed competition) was badly handled – but the current lame duck Bloomington City […]
Subject: My position on the budget page one Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2013 07:01:36 -0500 Since our budget workshop, I believe I have made it very clear that my position will be based on the public hearing which was held at our last meeting, public input I receive from calls, letters, emails, and so on, and […]
The actual budget is a little less this year, but it’s still $169,000,000! The population was estimated at 76,610 in 2011. That’s $2,206 spent by the City for every Man, Woman, and Child. For a family of 4, that’s $8,824. Roads are crumbling, pensions aren’t funded, and massive bond payments start in 2018.(http://blnnews.com/2013/02/01/bloomington-finances-2/) Think you should get off […]
From the 4/30/12 comprehensive Annual Financial Statments (CAFR) Pages 178-179 Debt per person 2003 – $379.44 2012 – $1,307.07 The highest was in 2008 – $1371.61, then it dropped and is now heading back up. Page 182 Demographics and Economic Statistics Population 2002 – 66,645 Population 2011 – 76,610 Per person income 2002 – $32,043 […]
by: Diane Benjamin 2018 is not going to be a good year! From page 85 of the CAFR (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) After re-financing general obligation bonds to a lower interest rate (good thing) and putting off massive principle payments another 2 years (bad thing), the large payments start in 2018: 2013 $5,559,764 2014 […]
by Diane Benjamin Firemen’s Pension – 51.38% funded Police Pension – 58.23% funded All other employees – 31.95% funded (Percentage are as of 12/31/2011 as reported in the 4/30/12 Financial Statements) Are employees other than Fire and Police less important? Why is their funding percent so much less? Total Unfunded Liability as of 4/30/12: Fire […]
by Diane Benjamin This is the 2nd investigation, even though the State’s Attorney’s Office hasn’t made a decision on the first investigation. Here is a link to the first investigation: http://blnnews.com/2012/07/18/city-of-bloomington-investigated-for-violation-of-the-open-meetings-act/ The only response available for why it is taking them so long is: Thank you for contacting the Public Access Bureau. You requested an […]
Cute, aren’t they? We hear the Bloomington Zoo wants to add them and other attractions totaling $16.7 Million – YOUR tax money. The financial statement for the year ending 3/31/2012 are NOT issued yet, but here are some notes from the 3/31/2011 statement: The City continues to retire compensated absences liabilities for employees; however, for […]
From the Pantagraph Jan 19, 2010 BLOOMINGTON — McLean County Board member Tari Renner made it official Tuesday: He is resigning from his board seat effective Feb. 28 because he is moving out of District 8. “It has been my distinct honor and privilege to have served the residents of District 8 since 1998,” Renner […]
Wednesday, June 27, 2012 YOUR COUNCIL AT WORK – Bloomington City Council Bloomington City Council’s Work Session on Monday night gave citizens the opportunity to hear City Manager, David Hales, update the previously approved Action Plan. Problem with that was, among others, is that there weren’t many citizens there. The video below helps a […]
