Page last updated on October 21, 2022 at 3:04 pm
Each week, Mayor Hamilton and Deputy Mayor Griffin provide video updates on recent news and key initiatives.
Transcript
John Hamilton:
Hello, I'm Mayor John Hamilton.
Don Griffin:
And I'm Don Griffin, Deputy Mayor. And today, we're going to talk about our budget, $229 million. Transformative, correct?
John Hamilton:
So, Don, the $229 million proposed 2023 budget is indeed transformative. I mean, I talk about it really leading us to a new era for Bloomington. This is a major increase mostly supported by the Economic Development Local Income Tax that the City Council passed last spring unanimously. And that's letting us invest in really three big ways. This is transforming.
John Hamilton:
So, number one, it's helping us become an employer of choice. From public safety through all out city government, it's helping us improve the lives and the careers of all of our employees, from police officers to sanitation workers to parks director, everybody, and investing in what we need to do to keep the services going. So, that's number one employer of choice.
Don Griffin:
Okay.
John Hamilton:
Number two, it's a transformative investment in climate change, climate justice, adaptation in two big ways. Number one, unprecedented investments in the Bloomington transit system. We're already the best transit system in the state by a lot of measures, but this is taking us to the next level. And second, first time ever, we're investing annually in our Climate Action plan. We have a new Climate Action plan, and we're dedicating $1.6 million a year to put that into place.
Don Griffin:
Okay.
John Hamilton:
Those are two. The last one is really leaning into being an inclusive, diverse city that welcomes everybody, where everybody can thrive. And that means first time ever, a million dollars a year investing in affordable housing, investing in good jobs, training for people, and helping local food and local arts and all that will help build equity here.
Don Griffin:
So we're going to be the Bloomington that we want to be, or we're at least headed that way?
John Hamilton:
This budget does invest, I think, where we want to be, where our values are. It's really exciting, and I hope people can check it out. We're not through the whole thing, but that's what the proposed budget does.
Don Griffin:
So a couple of weeks ago we came to the Council, gave initial presentation. Let's tell the public what's been going on since then.
John Hamilton:
Right. Late August, we had four nights, 20 plus hours of testimony and presentations by all of our cabinet. And you and me both, too.
Don Griffin:
Yes.
John Hamilton:
And in front of nine Council members. Since then, we've answered, I believe, 113 questions from Council with thousands of words, responses explaining. We've been doing meetings. And that was all preliminary because the formal budget starts September 28th, Wednesday, September 28th. And then October 12th, we hope it'll be finally adopted. So, lots of dialogue, lots of questions. But if anybody wants more detail, they can check out all kinds of information we have online. But that's the process now.
Don Griffin:
Okay. One thing that's very, very important is the $100,000 that we've dedicated to emergency reproductive health fund.
John Hamilton:
Yeah. The State passed Senate Bill 1, which is this terrible, horrific repeal of abortion rights, basically banning virtually all abortions in the state for everybody in the state. We can't change that law, but we're trying to do what we can. So we're asking the council for this year and next year $100,000 special appropriation to fund support for organizations that are responding to the reproductive health emergency. Places that can help people access reproductive healthcare, maybe elsewhere if needed, but also whatever we can do locally. So, that's the change that's happened since August, as we added that to the budget request. I'm hopeful and confident that Council will pass that too.
Don Griffin:
You know what's interesting about this budget, it shows Bloomington leading. We're not following anyone. We're leading in who we think we should be.
John Hamilton:
It's a great budget. I hope you all will check it out. I do think it lets our values speak and try to walk the walk that we want to walk.
Don Griffin:
Fantastic. If you want to know more information, please check out our website. Have a good one, and see you soon.
Learn more about the 2023 proposed city budget at bloomington.in.gov/budget.