December 16, 2020
(BLOOMINGTON) – The City of Bloomington Information & Technology Services Department (ITS) announces Digital Equity Grants awards to support Bloomington-based nonprofit organization efforts to bridge the digital divide and increase digital resources for residents.
The grants are funded through Mayor John Hamilton’s Recover Forward initiative to help Bloomington recover from the pandemic and economic collapse, and advance racial, economic, and climate justice. The grant recipients, projects to be funded, and amount of the grant are as follows:
Area 10 Agency on Aging, Creating Digital Literacy Opportunities and Tackling Social Isolation in the World of COVID, $9,400
Artisan Alley, Wifi Mill, $3,000
Farmer House Museum/Tech Heroes, Bloomington Stories, $7,300
December 16, 2020
(BLOOMINGTON) – A presentation on the Housing Development Fund (HDF) will be presented to the City Council tonight. The HDF is a revenue source that was established in 2016 to ensure the feasibility of affordable housing projects in Bloomington
The presentation will include information about contributions to the fund from developers and community foundations since its inception, as well as the affordable housing developments it has supported.
Doris Sims, Director of the City’s Housing and Neighborhood Development Department, will make the presentation during the regular meeting of the Bloomington Common Council. The meeting is open to the public and will begin tonight at 6:30 p.m.
December 15, 2020
(BLOOMINGTON) – Tuesday morning, the Indiana Supreme Court decided in favor of the City of Bloomington, declaring a section of the 2017 budget bill that stopped Bloomington’s proposed annexation unconstitutional.
The City of Bloomington had challenged the statute, passed by the state legislature in April 2017, in a declaratory judgment action against Governor Holcomb.
Special Judge Frank Nardi first heard the City’s appeal on April 18, 2019, and also found in favor of the City.
After Judge Nardi ruled in favor of the City, the State appealed his decision to the Indiana Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments on the case on January 9, 2020, before issuing its opinion in favor of the City today.
December 11, 2020
(BLOOMINGTON) – Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton announces the retirement of City of Bloomington Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Doris Sims on January 29, 2021.
City of Bloomington Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Doris Sims
Having begun her service at the City in 1979, Sims has directed the City’s Human Resources (HR) Department as well as HAND, where she is responsible for providing leadership in the management of a $ 2.4 million annual budget in federal and local funds and oversees a staff of 16 employees.
As two-term director of HAND (1996-2003 and 2016-current), Sims has provided management oversight of the City’s residential rental inspection program, collaborated with community stakeholders in the development of affordable housing, and ensured code compliance to promote neighborhood preservation. In 1998, Sims created the Citizens’ Academy program as a way of sharing information ab