BLOOMINGTON — Bloomington City Council members’ salaries could double in 2025, but a proposal to raise their pay has sparked significant controversy and backlash, leading some members to reconsider the plan.
Bloomington City Council members earn $21,153 annually for their part-time positions. The new ordinance under consideration would raise their salaries to $45,423, representing a 115% increase. The proposed raise would make Bloomington’s city council members the highest-paid in Indiana.
Council member Isak Nti Asare is one of the loudest critics of the proposal. “It’s tone-deaf. It’s just, I think, wrong,” Asare said. “It’s absurd. I don’t think people should raise our salaries during the term we’re serving. And even if we do, I think that should reflect the realities of the people we serve and represent.”
Asare expressed concerns that the proposed salary increase does not align with the financial struggles of the average Bloomington resident. “I would’ve done this for free. We want to be here to help the community. That’s why we run for office,” he added. “Right now, the average household income is essentially what they propose we make for a part-time job. That doesn’t seem equitable in any way.”
The ordinance also includes substantial raises for other city officials. The committee tasked with setting elected officials’ salaries has suggested a raise for City Clerk, increasing her pay by $42,780. In addition, the proposed salary for Mayor Kerry Thomson would rise from $138,031 to $151,410.
The proposal has raised questions about the appropriateness of such raises, especially given the current economic conditions and the part-time nature of the city council position. While some believe the increase is justified due to the council’s growing responsibilities, others, like Asare, argue that it sends the wrong message to the public.
