Mayor's Slush Fund

There are several line items of note in the City of Bloomington’s proposed 2006 budget. One that is literally squealing of pork is Fund #3970 Mayor’s Promotion of Business. In 2004 the budget was $8,200, in 2005 the budget was increased by a whopping 1800% to $155,500. In 2006 the proposed amount is $198,000, a 2300% increase from just two years ago. It’s up another 27% over last year. This is on top of another $399,000 that is budgeted for economic development. Some have suggested the Mayor’s fund will finally have the accountability of the Mayor’s office behind it, suggesting groups like the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation are not accountable. The Mayor, Democrat City Council Members and other Democrat leaders have had an ongoing feud over funding for the BEDC. They have long argued that they were more qualified to distribute the money themselves rather than giving the money to people that really understand how businesses works and letting them utilize it to bring real results. Interestingly enough they never gave anywhere close to that amount to the BEDC.

This accountability double talk may satisfy those with only a partially functioning brain but it certainly should raise some eyebrows on everyone else. This increased funding will go to an administration that has done more to discourage businesses from coming to our city than any in recent history. Between the two funds, what in the world are they planning on spending almost six hundred thousand dollars on? It is inconceivable that any elected official would approve this type of increase however it is with almost certainty that they will. This money is nothing more than a slush fund that will end up being spent at the Mayor’s discretion all the while excess levy’s are necessary to give our city employee’s a raise. It is shameful what these Democrats are being allowed to do in the name of economic development. The duplicity in the marketing of this budget as responsible or even close to reasonable should fall under the category of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.