Holcomb to address Public Health Emergency
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb will announce his legislative goals this afternoon during his 2022 Next Level Agenda Address. Governor Holcomb has outlined his 3 steps to end the declaration of a state public health emergency in Indiana, which include:
- The continuation of enhanced federal matching funds for Medicaid expenditures
- The continuation of the enhanced benefits for those receiving federal food assistance
- Extending the ability to efficiently vaccinate 5- to 11-year-olds
City of Bloomington Utilities 2021 Water Rate Case Approved
The City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) recently received final approval of an updated rate tariff from the Indiana Utilities Regulatory Commission (IURC). The new water rates will achieve fairer allocations among customer classes and support long-needed improvements to the water plant as well as accelerated water main replacements. The average CBU customer should expect a monthly increase of less than $2 on their water bill.
The rate proposal was approved by the Utilities Service Board in January 2021 and by the Bloomington Common Council in March 2021. The IURC approved an amended rate schedule on December 22, 2021. The new rates for metered service are the first updates in five years and will be implemented in two phases, increasing Water Works revenue by 8.4% in 2022, and 9.1% in 2024. The new rates will be reflected on February bills.
Revenue from the 2021 Water Works rate case will allow CBU to continue to improve service, addressing capital improvements for filtration, emergency power generation, and solids management at the Monroe Water Treatment Plant. In the water distribution system, CBU will re-coat the East Water Tank located adjacent to State Road 446, renovate the South Central Booster Station, and expand investments for water main replacement to $3 million per year, with a goal of achieving a 100-year replacement schedule.
Organizations Invited to Apply for Downtown Outreach Grants
The City of Bloomington invites 501(c)3 organizations to apply for City funding to fund projects that will improve the human condition of Bloomington residents who are unhoused or who are in jeopardy of becoming homeless. The deadline for the 2022 grants cycle is Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 5 p.m. Awards will be announced by February 15, 2022.
The 2022 Downtown Outreach Grants (DTO) application is available at bloomington.in.gov/cfrd. Questions regarding the grant process and completed applications should be directed to Marissa Parr-Scott at marissa.parrscott@bloomington.in.gov or 812.349.3430.
This Week in Hoosier History
1825 – Scottish factory owner Robert Owen bought 30,000 acres in Southwest Indiana. The property became the site of a town called New Harmony. Owen and his followers worked to create a utopian society in the Posey County community. They established free schools for both boys and girls as well as a library available to all.
For more local news . . .
Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson here