Council approves annexation

The Bloomington City Council passed two resolutions Wednesday that will continue cooperation between the planning and building departments of the city and county.\nInterlocal agreements are passed by governments to ensure efficiency and cooperation in areas where those governments share mutual interest. The renewed agreements will facilitate smooth transitions between the city and county in future expansions of city limits.\nThe process by which the city expands, known as annexation, outlines the land area that will fall under its jurisdiction and gradually phases in the services provided by the city. Those services include fire and police protection, sewer services and trash collection, among others. The renewed agreements deal with two specific aspects of annexation -- building codes and zoning jurisdiction.\nThe previous interlocal agreements mandated that the city would have zoning authority and the county would provide infrastructure such as roads and other services. This scenario allows the city to plan future expansions without paying for the extensive services it provides.\n"I think its proven to be extremely prudent for cities to have a very carefully laid out plan for annexation" County Commissioner Brian O'Neill said. "We think city and county have to work together to maintain the prosperity of both the county and the city."\nPeople who live in an area intended for annexation are under city zoning jurisdiction but do not pay city taxes or vote for city officers. O'Neill said those people are represented by county council appointments to city planning committees.\nThis agreement will last five years, at which time the city and county councils may or may not choose to change and continue it.\nThe other agreement approved by the city Wednesday night affects how the city is paid for inspecting buildings in Bloomington.\nUnder the previous agreement, building permits for any building in Monroe County were issued by the county, even if the building falls within city limits. City inspectors were required to inspect building even though the county was receiving fees. The county paid the city $80,000 dollars annually for reimbursement. \nThe new agreement will cease that payment but allow the city to assess a fee per permit to pay for inspection and other building code enforcement expenses.\nCity Planning Director Tom Micuda told the council that under the new agreement, the income gained annually from the city would better reflect the expenses of enforcing those codes because the number of permits changes from year to year, causing the price of enforcement to fluctuate.\nMicuda said under the new agreement, building permit fees might be slightly higher or lower but would not be greatly affected.\n"I expect little fiscal impact to the individual (who buys a permit)," Micuda said.\nCouncil members asked the county to provide printed material to individuals who are undergoing the process of getting county approval to build. Micuda agreed that it would be easier for people to understand in that manner.\n"There is no question that for the citizen, it could be a fairly difficult process, going from city to county," Micuda said.\nThe building code agreement will last for one year.\nCouncil members praised the cooperation between governments. Some said they felt a sense of tension in the past that has been eliminated.\n"It has been my observation that over the years there has been a separation that no longer exists," councilman Anthony Pizzo said.\nO'Neill said the county echoes those sentiments.\n"For cities to prosper they have to have a very carefully laid out plan," O'Neill said, "and we think city and county have to work together"