Bloomington City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
HRA Administrator Appointment
2025 Preliminary HRA Budget and Levy Approval
Votes (2)
Appointment of HRA Administrator
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Wooten [5:48] · Seconded by Commissioner You Say [5:52]
The Committee Director introduced Sara Abe, highlighting her extensive experience in local government and non-profit settings, particularly in housing development, policy establishment, and equity initiatives. Sara Abe expressed her enthusiasm for furthering the Bloomington HRA's mission, focusing on housing affordability and preserving existing housing dignity.
2025 Preliminary HRA Budget and Levy
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Wooten [32:32] · Seconded by Commissioner Dollinger [32:33]
Staff presented the preliminary 2025 HRA budget, outlining a $10.3 million total with a $1.96 million levy request, including a $300,000 increase for inspection services (new INSPIRE protocol), affordable homeownership partnerships, software, and staff development. Commissioners raised concerns about transparency regarding the breakdown of the levy increase and the overall 8.25% increase, seeking assurances that feedback could still be incorporated. Staff clarified the preliminary levy sets a cap but allows for flexibility through fund balances and future amendments.
Notable Quotes (6)
I have pleasure of introducing the recommended HRA Administrator the City and for the HRA Board I can just give you a little description of Sara Abe.
I'm really excited to bring my skills and experience to furthering the mission of the Bloomington HRA the board approve tonight and just look forward to continuing to explore solutions for housing affordability and preserving the dignity dignity of existing housing in the city.
The mission statement that was developed by this board and staff at retreat this year because that informed the budget process that is in front of you tonight which is to create a stable and inclusive through safe and dignified housing choices.
I think it would be helpful to have maybe a breakdown of , you know, between Inspection Services, Strategic Partnerships, Software and Legal because I think those are the four things that will make up the 300,000 increase and so just kind of having a better sense.
The real action that has to happen is the levy of the preliminary levy approval. That's kind of the action needs to happen in order to the City Council so they can approve all of the levy is together preliminarily goals of the county that process has to happen so at and like has been said that's a cap that's the most you can levy.
So so again I feel comfortable passing the preliminary levy tonight knowing that there will be a lot more conversations and and we can ask more questions about the bigger budget.
Ordinances & Resolutions (5)
A city policy established by Sara Abe in a previous role.
A city policy established by Sara Abe in a previous role.
A new inspection protocol for the Housing Choice Voucher program to be implemented in 2025.
The resolution approved by the HRA Board for the 2025 preliminary budget.
The specific statute referenced for the special benefit levy authorization.