The Town of Normal unveiled its 2024 budget proposal Monday night. Positioned between an economic recovery from the pandemic and potential economic concerns in the new year, the $223 million plan was described as a conservative strategy for the town's future.
The budget plan represents a 7% increase over the current budget.
Since the peak of pandemic concerns saw economic stagnation, the town has experienced swift increases in revenue. Sales tax, which accounts for 41% of revenue, grew by 13% last year and 22% the year before — compared with less than 5% in each of the previous three years, according to the plan presented by finance director Andrew Huhn.
Property tax revenue has seen a similar trend, though less extreme. These increases also were attributed to the town's investment in Rivian's rapid development in Normal.
While the growth has undoubtedly aided the town's finances, Huhn said the pace looks to calm down in the near future, noting that is in part due to budgeting philosophy, and that Normal is poised to handle a possible economic slowdown.
“The community here has always had an insulation effect from national recessions,” Huhn said after the meeting. “We have a lot of stable employers, we have a lot of conservative budgeting, so we typically don’t get too overly concerned about downturns.”
The town's spending will increase in several areas under the proposed budget, with fire and police pensions and road infrastructure receiving special attention. Huhn said the town may put an additional $3 million into pensions in the new year, compared with last year, and give a $1 million boost to roadways.
Apart from investment in funding pensions, fire and police are also adding two new supervisory officers and three new firefighters this year. The firefighters are being added in anticipation of pending retirements. Other areas to see more funding include public art and recreation.
In the area of utilities, both water and sewer billing will see a 2% rate bump this year to cover maintaining the systems' service quality.
Council member Kevin McCarthy praised the idea, saying the gradual increase keeps things running smoothly and prevents bigger hikes in the future.
Another member, Kathleen Lorenz, was initially skeptical of the increase in sewer rates, but voiced support for the use of new funds to mitigate lead and PFAS, or "forever chemical," threats to the water supply.
A vote on the budget is expected in March.
The council unanimously approved a few other measures during Monday’s meeting.
Design services will be sought for a $10 million upgrade to College Avenue near Rivian’s facilities, with the cost mostly covered by state and federal money.
The council also finalized the budget for a $1.3 million expansion of Constitution Trail between Adelaide Street and Parkside Road. Council members hinted that gaps in connectivity on the trail mean there’s still more work to be done in the near future.
