Bloomington Mayor, John Hamilton, environmental experts, and community members met Thursday night at Dimension Mill to discuss a proposal to raise Monroe County’s local income tax to create a sustainability fund. This sustainability fund will help the city and county to combat climate change.
Mayor Hamilton says it is a big issue for the city and also the world–whether and how we should protect our planet and take part in making the necessary changes. Public transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, and housing patterns are all factors in mitigating climate change in Bloomington.
Mayor Hamilton is proposing about one half a percentage income tax rate increase – expected to raise 8 million dollars annually in Monroe County. The fund would go toward a sustainability fund to invest in a more sustainable future and develop an economy focus on some small sustainable business.
Creating a diverse economy, having equal access to service for everyone and protecting natural resources are among the goals for the city. Matt Flaherty, who has an at-large seat on the Bloomington City Council said the entire community has a stake in the process, and public meetings are a good place to start.
Matt Flaherty’s Interview
Mayor Hamilton first proposed the income tax increase at his second term swearing-in meeting in January. And he mentioned it again during his Feb. 20th State of the City address. This proposal has caused heated discussions in the Bloomington community. Some strongly agree with the proposal to support the sustainability fund, but others are opposed.
Climate change has ravaged Indiana through increases in temperatures and annual rainfall. Higher temperatures have increased heat stroke and increased the number of ticks and mosquitoes carrying vector-borne illnesses. According to Bloomington’s 2019 sustainability progress report, Bloomington has done a lot already to deal with climate change including increasing greenspace conservation and habitat restoration, reducing invasive plants and increasing native species planting. In 2020, Bloomington will put more effort into climate change, and the city council hopes that IU students and community residents will join the environmental protection plan and contribute to the community.
Ross Martinie Eiler’s Interview
Ross Martinie Eiler of Bloomington said he is very concerned about climate change because it will affect his four children’s lives in the future.
Attendees broke into groups at the end of the meeting to brainstorm ways to invest the funds raised from the proposed tax. One of the groups proposed designating more bike lanes to encourage green transportation. Another group focused on local food suggested educating the community reducing food waste.
The city will hold more public meetings with the community to discuss climate change solutions.
