Homeowner Resources

Property taxes

Property taxes in Monroe County are billed by the County Treasurer. According to the Treasurer’s office, tax bills are mailed once a year in April, and taxes are due in two installments, May 10 and November 10. If either date falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. Late payments carry penalties.

• If you have an escrow account, your lender pays the bill from it. Your bill may be marked “IN ESCROW.” If you’re not sure your lender is paying, call your lender.
• If you just bought your home, know that the Treasurer sends bills to the owner of record as of January 1. Your first bill may arrive in the previous owner’s name, or not reach you at all. You’re still responsible for paying on time, so check with the Treasurer’s office if you haven’t seen a bill by the end of April.
• Your assessed value comes from the Monroe County Assessor’s office. If you have questions about it, start there.

The homestead deduction

If the home is your primary residence, you may qualify for the homestead deduction, which lowers the taxable value of your home. Deductions are filed with the Monroe County Auditor.

• Deadline. The Auditor’s office says the application must be signed and filed, or postmarked, by January 15 to show on the next printed tax bills.
• One-time filing. You file once, unless the property’s status changes, such as becoming a rental or no longer being your primary residence. The Auditor asks to be notified within 60 days of a change.
• At closing. In Indiana, the sales disclosure form signed at closing can also serve as your homestead application when the home will be your primary residence. Even so, I suggest calling the Auditor’s office after closing to confirm your deduction is on file.
• Other deductions. The Auditor also handles deductions for homeowners over 65, disabled veterans, and people who are blind or disabled, among others. Ask the office which ones you might qualify for.

Contact the Monroe County Auditor’s office at 812-349-2510 with questions.

Utilities

Water and sewer

Inside Bloomington’s city limits, water and sewer service come from City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU). Start, stop, or transfer service through CBU customer service at 812-349-3930. Outside city limits, water and sewer may come from a different utility, or from a private well and septic system.

Electric and natural gas

CBU doesn’t provide electric, gas, or cable service. The City lists Duke Energy for electricity and CenterPoint Energy (formerly Vectren) for natural gas. Outside the city, some addresses are served by South Central Indiana REMC, a rural electric cooperative, and natural gas isn’t available everywhere. Confirm the providers for your address before you move in. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission’s service territory map shows which electric utility serves an address.

Internet

Internet options vary by street, especially outside town. Check with providers for your exact address.

Trash and recycling

The City’s Sanitation Division provides curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste collection for single-family homes inside city limits. Trash and recycling are picked up weekly. Yard waste is picked up every other week during the season, which runs April through December. You can find your collection day by searching your address in the City’s myBloomington tool.

A few local things to know:

• The City no longer offers curbside vacuum leaf collection. Its Sanitation and sustainability pages list other options for leaves.
• Large items and appliances can be picked up for a fee if you schedule ahead online.
• Outside city limits, residents use a private hauler or the Waste Reduction District of Monroe County’s recycling centers, which are open to all county residents.

Questions about City service go to Sanitation at 812-349-3443.

A seasonal maintenance checklist

Spring

• Clean gutters and downspouts, and make sure water drains away from the foundation.
• Check the roof, siding, and caulking for winter damage.
• Schedule air conditioning service before the first hot week.
• Test the sump pump, if you have one, before spring rains.
• Planning to dig, plant a tree, or set fence posts? Contact Indiana 811 first to have utility lines marked.

Summer

• Look for peeling paint, soft wood, and gaps around windows and doors.
• Trim trees and shrubs back from the roof and siding.
• Check decks and railings for loose boards and fasteners.

Fall

• Schedule furnace service and replace the filter.
• Clean gutters again after the leaves come down.
• Disconnect hoses and shut off outdoor faucets before the first freeze.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace batteries.

Winter

• Keep an eye out for ice dams and frozen pipes during cold snaps.
• Know where your main water shutoff is.
• Keep vents and the furnace intake clear of snow.

Septic and well owners

• The Monroe County Health Department recommends pumping the septic tank and cleaning its filter every two to three years of normal use.
• The Indiana Department of Health recommends testing private well water at least once a year.

Where to get permits

Planning a remodel, addition, deck, fence, or new garage? Check permits before you start.

• Building permits for homes in Bloomington and across Monroe County go through the Monroe County Building Department.
• Inside the City’s planning jurisdiction, many residential projects need a Certificate of Zoning Compliance from the City’s Planning and Transportation Department before you can apply for the building permit.
• Outside the City’s jurisdiction, the Monroe County Planning Department handles the zoning step. The County suggests starting with its free pre-design request, which tells you which permits you’ll need.
• Work in the street or right-of-way, such as a water service line repair, needs a right-of-way excavation permit from the City’s Engineering Department.