Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the number of members on the Convention Visitors Commission.
Monroe County Council members say they still have questions about a plan for the Monroe County Convention Center expansion project despite it receiving approval from their City of Bloomington counterparts.
The council discussed but did not vote on an interlocal agreement between the city and county at a Tuesday meeting.
Some members said they are concerned by the agreement’s terms — specifically those related to appointments to the Convention Visitors Commission, which oversees expenditures of Innkeeper’s Tax revenues.
Indiana Code requires the five-member commission to consist of three appointees chosen by the county council and two chosen by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners.
One of the council appointments must come from a list of four candidates chosen by the Bloomington City Council.
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But the city administration and county commissioners have disagreed on the specifics of that appointment, according to Cockerill.
County Council President Kate Wiltz said she discussed the appointment with the city council and agreed four candidates is enough to warrant a decision.
However, Council member Marti Hawk said she is opposed to choosing from a list made by the city council.
“This county council — we won’t be here in five years, 10 years … and it just is wrong, in my opinion, to give away their right — the future council members’ right, by law, to make this appointment,” Hawk said. “Somebody says, ‘Your daughter can marry anybody’, and you’re like, ‘Well, that’s good.’ Well, then they show up later and say, ‘But it has to be one of these two.’ That’s not really a choice, is it?”
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Mayor John Hamilton and the Bloomington City Council both signed the interlocal agreement earlier this month. The agreement must be ratified by the county council and board of commissioners to take effect.
The convention center project has been in a stalemate for years. Council member Trent Deckard said he understands his colleagues’ concerns but acknowledged the lack of progress.
“I want to urge all of us to take a deep breath and figure out an effort toward collaborative spirit to get a reasonable sign-off on these documents,” he said. “I think the taxpayers are getting really, really frustrated with not seeing that progress.”
The council will vote on the agreement at a later meeting, though it is not clear exactly when.
The commissioners are slated to vote on the agreement at a Wednesday meeting.
