City Launches New Employee Tuition Reimbursement Pilot Program

Bloomington, Ind.–Mayor Hamilton today announced a new tuition reimbursement pilot program for eligible employees continuing efforts to be an employer of choice in Bloomington. City Council approved the new program as part of the 2023 Budget, and the pilot is in addition to receiving extensive new and ongoing benefits announced earlier in 2023.

Regular full-time employees who have completed 12 months of employment are eligible for reimbursement of educational expenses up to $2,500 per year. The new program supports employees pursuing continuing growth and professional development with a college-accredited degree or professional certification, or credential.

“We are committed to investing in the growth and development of our employees,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “As part of our commitment to being an employer of choice, we are proud to offer this new pilot program and the many other new offerings in 2023.”

The pilot program enables employees to pursue higher education or professional certifications relevant to their career goals, even if not directly applicable to their current job responsibilities. Education leads to enhanced knowledge, skills, and expertise that can benefit both the individual and the organization. Any required training or certification for an employee’s City job will continue to be paid for by the City using training funds.  

Background on Previously Announced Benefits in 2023

The 2023 budget year includes significant overall increases in employee wages, benefits, and bonuses, including: 

• 5% cost of living adjustment for all non-union employees
• $1,000 bonus distributed in two $500 payments*
• A new deferred compensation annual subsidy of up to $780 is available to all employees through the City’s progressive 3:1 or 2:1 match of employee retirement contributions 
• Offering employees COVID-19 vaccine discounts on health insurance premiums, with the employee share as low as $0 depending on the chosen plan. Most employees will pay less for premiums than current costs
• Up to $2,500 in travel and lodging expenses for employees to travel out of state for an abortion
• A new health clinic for employees and their families, to be started by the fourth quarter of 2023 
• Pilot Paid Parental Leave Policy up to six weeks at 100% of their salary
• Pilot CDL Training Program up to $5,500 per employee for training
• Public Safety investments that are transforming our services:
  • $2 million annually to support new and major upgrades of police and fire department facilities
  • $2 million annually to support significantly increased annual salaries for sworn police officers, new public safety positions, and new and ongoing recruiting incentives
  • $750 monthly rent assistance for police or fire officers who rent a residence within the City
  • Down payment assistance for police or fire officers who purchase a residence within the City (after a probationary year) of $18,000 one-time, or new pilot of $100,000 in a no-interest loan forgiven over ten years.
  • Recruitment incentives for new sworn police officers include $5,000 signing bonus for already-certified officers and $3,000 for non-certified applicants
  • Take-home patrol vehicle for police officers who live within the City or serve on specialty units

These incentives and salary increases are funded in part through Mayor John Hamilton's Recover Forward initiative and the Economic Development Local Income Tax (ED-LIT) increase by the City Council (bloomington.in.gov/newreevenue). 

Ongoing Benefits for Non-Public Safety City Employees:

Eligible employees receive 13 paid holidays per year and may earn up to 4 weeks (160 hours) of paid time off in their first year of employment and five weeks (200 hours) in their second year.

The City contributes 14.2% of a regular employee's salary to their retirement fund through the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS). Employees may contribute pre-tax dollars to a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan account to supplement their retirement earnings (with the new match outlined above). Health, vision, and dental insurance premiums are subsidized by the City and available on day one of employment to regular employees. The City offers life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance at no cost to employees. Employees may elect voluntary term life and short-term disability insurance. 

Employees may receive over $2,400 per year in HSA contributions and wellness reimbursements, insurance discounts, and incentives. City Employees ride for free on Bloomington Transit.

Working for the City of Bloomington

People interested in employment with the City of Bloomington may visit the career portal at bloomington.in.gov/jobs. Anyone unable to access the portal or complete the online application may apply in person at the Human Resources Department, 401 N. Morton St. Suite 230, Bloomington, IN. Please contact hrmail@bloomington.in.gov for more information or with questions.

About Recover Forward

Recover Forward is a multi-year initiative to help our community rebound and thrive as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic, moving toward greater racial, economic, and climate justice as we do so.

More than $15 million has been approved to date by the City Council for critical investments. Recover Forward Bloomington includes $9 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and $6 million from City reserve funds. Learn more at bloomington.in.gov/recoverforward.  

*Bonus does not include sworn police officers/dispatch. Information about the new Police Hiring and Retention Incentives is available at bloomington.in.gov/news/2022/05/19/5186.