BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington and Monroe County have entered into an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement to form a joint Bloomington/Monroe County Human Rights Commission, which will absorb the work of prior separate city and county human rights commissions.
On May 3, the Bloomington City Council and the Monroe County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve both the agreement and corresponding changes to their respective human rights ordinances, to create and empower the joint Commission.
The joint commission will support civil rights by investigating complaints under the city and county human rights ordinances, conducting public education, and promoting civil rights issues and legislation. The City and County believe that a single point of contact for both public education and dispute resolution provides a more effective and efficient service to the community.
“Bloomington has demonstrated its commitment to working toward equity with a commission that is more than fifty years old and eight years of perfect scores on the Human Rights Campaign Index,” said Mayor John Hamilton. This next step of partnering with the County is a logical progression as well as a decision to prioritize further social justice and community collaboration in Monroe County.”
Under this agreement, the City will take responsibility for providing the Commission with the necessary staff support, including the City’s Human Rights Director, for investigation and enforcement and for human rights education and awareness activities throughout Monroe County. The County will contribute half of the costs of the time dedicated to these activities by the Human Rights Director and a human rights administrative assistant. Questions should be directed to Community and Family Resources Human Rights Director Michael Shermis at human.rights@bloomington.in.gov or 812-349-3430.
The City will provide an annual report to the County Commissioners in February of each year, beginning in 2024, on the work of the joint Commission and supporting staff. The initial term of this agreement will be for three years, beginning January 1, 2023, and ending on December 31, 2025.
“This is another great example of the City and County working together for the community,” said Monroe County Board of Commissioners President Penny Githens.
The joint commission will be composed of seven members: three appointed by the Bloomington mayor, two by the City Council, and two by the Monroe County Commissioners. Current members’ terms will end on June 30. City residents interested in being appointed by the mayor or City Council to serve on the new joint commission can apply here:
County residents interested in appointment to the Commission should apply here
Please note: city residency is required for membership on most but not all of the City’s boards and commissions, and is required for City (but not County) appointments to the joint commission. All meetings of the City’s boards and commissions are open to the public. This notice is given pursuant to Bloomington Municipal Code 2.02.020.
