Bloomington city leaders will host a public input session next week about a proposed income tax increase to support a city-county Sustainability Investment Fund.
A news release from the city says the event will feature a brief presentation and stations manned by "subject-matter experts."
Mayor John Hamilton called for the tax hike at his swearing-in ceremony Jan. 1, along with a plan for the city to create an environmental Green Ribbon Panel by April 10. Hamilton says the 0.5 percent increase would generate an additional $8 million per year to fund the city's efforts to fight climate change.
In his Feb. 21 State of the City address, Hamilton again called for the public's support of the proposed tax increase, despite the fact that it would take Monroe County from having the lowest income tax rate in the area to third-lowest.
Hamilton says he'd like to create the Sustainability Investment Fund this summer, which will require the county-wide Local Income Tax Council's approval. That council's next meeting has not yet been scheduled.
Next week's public discussion is Thursday, March 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Dimension Mill.
