Central to the funding strategy is the introduction of a new Sewer Availability Charge (SAC) fee, set at $2,026 per unit. This fee is calculated based on the flow equivalent to a single-family home and is expected to cover 61% of the necessary costs, with the remaining 39% funded through increased utility rates over a 15-year period. The plan also involves pursuing federal and state grants to alleviate financial burdens. A public hearing is scheduled for December 2 to consider the adoption of the new SAC fee.

Differences in these fees were attributed to each community’s unique needs and infrastructure challenges, with older cities potentially requiring higher fees. The potential impact of these fees on development was a concern, as the SAC fee could represent a small but significant portion of total project costs, possibly affecting housing affordability and availability if developers pass these costs onto consumers or reconsider projects altogether.

The implications of sewer capacity expansion on racial equity were also discussed, emphasizing that limiting growth could increase housing costs and reduce access to affordable housing, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Improvements in the sewer system are seen as a means to enhance equitable access to housing and services throughout Bloomington.

In addition to the sewer system discussions, the meeting also covered the draft of the Five-Year Economic Development Plan. This plan, presented by consultants from Tippy Strategies, aims to provide a comprehensive vision for the city’s economic future. It is designed to align with community needs and stakeholder feedback while focusing on growth opportunities. The draft incorporates insights from stakeholder engagement and economic analyses, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the region.

One of the plan’s highlights is a new data visualization tool that analyzes regional economic trends, helping to identify living wage opportunities and barriers to entry in lower-wage jobs. This tool is intended to be a resource for understanding economic and demographic dynamics and is expected to support informed decision-making for economic development.

The strategic plan emphasizes Bloomington’s potential for growth in sectors like business services and hospitality, which are vital for the local economy. However, challenges such as limited large developable sites and connectivity issues were noted as barriers to further development. The plan calls for a focus on higher-density developments in existing commercial nodes and the establishment of a central community gathering place to enhance community interaction.

The meeting also touched on the importance of adaptive reuse of existing sites, particularly in the South Loop development area, which has positively impacted property values and contributed to the city’s budget. The Port Authority was encouraged to expand its focus beyond the South Loop to ensure equitable service delivery across the city and to celebrate its achievements to build support for future initiatives.

Concerns about potential gentrification and rising rent rates were raised, emphasizing the need to protect small businesses critical to the community. The Port Authority’s draft plan seeks to address these concerns by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, supporting small businesses, and promoting a “Buy Local” campaign to encourage community spending.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the budget for 2025, highlighting the need for building reserves and planning for future strategic initiatives. The budget includes allocations for business services and the continuation of popular programs like the façade improvement grant. The final levy for 2025 was approved unanimously, aligning with previous discussions and public knowledge.