© 2025. The Trustees of Indiana University
Copyright Complaints
1229 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
News, Arts and Culture from WFIU Public Radio and WTIU Public Television
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Federal funding for public media has been eliminated — we need your help to continue serving south central Indiana
Some web content from Indiana Public Media is unavailable during our transition to a new web publishing platform. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Bloomington City Council examines 2026 budget needs

WFIU/WTIU
File Photo
/
WFIU/WTIU News

The Bloomington City Council held 2026 budget hearings this week, highlighting the city’s funding challenges and future infrastructure needs.

The Community and Family Resources Department (CFRD) opened its presentation with concerns about the loss of federal pandemic relief. Director Beverly Calendar-Anderson told council members the expiration of American Rescue Plan Act funding has left gaps.

“We had about $300,000 in ARPA funds left that were reverted back to the general fund,” she said. “That money was supposed to go toward DEI training, so now we have to find another way to meet that need.”

Calendar-Anderson stressed the need to ensure Bloomington does not “lose ground” on equity and inclusion work.

Parks and recreation director Tim Streets followed with a request for a facilities upgrade.

“Our current service center is more than 40 years old,” Streets said. “It was not designed to handle the amount of equipment and staff we have today. We need a modern facility to continue serving Bloomington effectively.”

The department also provided an update on the city’s recycling goals. Solid waste diversion has held steady between 32 and 35 percent, but leaders said there’s still significant room for growth.

Utilities Deputy director Dana Krueger noted the city’s 2026 utilities budget totals $57.7 million. Rising operational costs, she said, may require future rate increases to support critical infrastructure.

Public commenters used the hearings to push for more investment in youth sports and park facilities. One resident said the priority should be maintaining existing fields before expanding.

“We need to make sure our kids have quality facilities, not just more fields,” the commenter said. “It’s about making sure what we already have is cared for.”

Council members, including Ellen Rodkey and Matt Flaherty, asked questions about how departments are balancing service expansions with fiscal responsibility. Flaherty suggested future adjustments may be necessary to keep utilities and public works on stable footing.

Budget hearings will continue throughout the week before the council takes final action later this fall.

Myah Garza is a reporter with WTIU-WFIU News and recent graduate of Indiana University. She double majored in psychology and journalism with a concentration in reporting and writing.
Related Content