Bloomington utility board orders appraisal of lake parcels; water report finds no contaminant exceedances

The Bloomington Utility Service Board on June 1 approved a service agreement with First Appraisal Group Inc. to appraise real estate at and around Lake Griffy and Lake Lemon, a first step officials said is necessary to determine what the city owns and to inform future retention, sale, or repurposing decisions.

City Attorney Chris Wheeler said the appraisal will help the utility understand property ownership and likely inform future decisions about whether to retain or dispose of parcels the utility no longer uses as a water source.

Water quality coordinator Justin Mechure presented the 2026 annual drinking water quality report and said detected contaminants remain within EPA maximum contaminant levels; Mechure identified two deficiencies at the Monroe Water Treatment Plant—a backwash tank overflow port that needs to be extended closer to the ground and the addition of a secondary backwash pump—that both are expected to be addressed by fall 2026.

The appraisal contract and the water report will guide further decisions about lake parcels and treatment-plant repairs.