Indiana University Board of Trustees approves $4.2 billion operating budget for FY 23-24
The Indiana University Board of Trustees approved $4.2 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2023-24 during its June meeting, including a salary increase for IU employees. IU’s 2023-24 budget is slightly bigger than last year’s, reflecting increased expenses for labor, services and other fixed costs. The university has mitigated the increases through budget reductions and alignment of administrative functions, while continuing to champion student success through new academic and research programs.
Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings recently reaffirmed IU’s AAA credit rating, citing the university’s stable enrollment, excellent management of strategy and resources, and positive financial operations. The budget includes salary increases of up to 3% for IU employees. Over the past five years, salary and wage increases at IU have averaged 1.5%, with no university-wide salary increase in fiscal year 2020-21 due to the pandemic. The budget goes into effect July 1.
Bloomington’s HAND awards three Neighborhood Improvement Grants
The City of Bloomington Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) is pleased to announce three recipients of the 2023 Neighborhood Improvement Grant. Awardees are: the Bloomington Housing Authority Resident Council (BHARC), the Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association, and the Woodlands Winding Brook Homeowners Association.
- The Bloomington Housing Authority Resident Council (BHARC) was awarded $6,410 to refurbish two playgrounds, in the Rev. Butler and Walnut Woods communities. Updates include border replacement, power washing of current equipment, and installation of new signage and mulch.
- The Prospect Hill Neighborhood Association was awarded $12,590 to hire restoration professionals to repair Rose Hill Cemetery headstones and monuments too difficult/fragile/large for volunteers to handle. In addition, restoration professionals will offer a three-hour public workshop to teach headstone restoration techniques and skills.
- The Woodlands-Winding Brook HOA was awarded $11,000 for the first phase of a project to convert an obsolete retention pond into a bioretention area, which will include stormwater mitigation features, native plantings, and community gathering spaces.
The Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program is designed to enhance the quality of life within neighborhoods and in the city as a whole, by giving residents an opportunity to have direct input in the improvement of their neighborhoods. The funds provide for neighborhood-driven projects with community-wide benefit. Applications are reviewed by a five-member council, made up of two City staffers, two at-large neighborhood association members, and one commissioner from the Redevelopment Commission (RDC). The council makes funding recommendations to the RDC, who ultimately determines the allocation of funds.
For more information about this and other grant programs for Bloomington neighborhoods, please visit bton.in/ckXcr or contact Angela Van Rooy, HAND Neighborhood Services Program Manager at angela.vanrooy@bloominton.in.gov or 812-349-3505.
Monroe County Road Closings
- LOESCH ROAD, between Old Vernal Pike & Railroad Crossing: Rockport Road will be closed in this area on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 – Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 6 am – 4 pm for road milling and paving by Monroe County MVH Crews.
- OLD SR 37 NORTH, between Bethel Lane & Old Meyers Road: Old SR 37 North will be closed in this area from Monday, April 3, 2023 – December 15, 2023, for the Bicentennial Pathways Project. School bus routes and EMS access will be coordinated and maintained. Detour: Sample Road/I-69/Business 37 North or Old Meyers Road/Boltinghouse Road/Bethel Lane.
- RICHARDSON ROAD, between SR 45 & Southshore Drive: Richardson Road will be closed in this area on Monday, June 19, 2023 – Wednesday, June 21, 2023, for railroad trestle repairs by Koppers Railroad Structures, Inc.
- WILLIAMS ROAD, between Bottom Road & Simpson Chapel Road: Williams Road will be closed in this area on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, from 6 am – 4 pm for ditching by Monroe County SW Crews.
This Week in Hoosier History
1978 – Created by Jim Davis of Marion, the Garfield comic strip first appears.
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