Cassy Taylor

The McLean County Board on Thursday approved an audit of the county’s mental health and public safety sales tax fund. The resolution to the intergovernmental agreement [IGA] will require approval by the Town of Normal and City of Bloomington.

Normal City Manager Pam Reece says some of the mental health and behavioral health initiatives McLean County runs are, in effect, pre-funded.

The McLean County Board Executive Committee on Monday approved an audit of the county’s 1% mental health and public safety sales tax fund. The full board will consider the resolution at its regular meeting Thursday.

Over the past several years, individuals and groups have expressed dissatisfaction with transparency related to a public fund for mental health and public safety. WGLT dove into the data to see exactly how money has been spent and why there are $19 million in reserves.

Raymond Lai, the commission's executive director, presented the McLean County Board with problems identified so far. Lai hopes there's much more feedback to come before recommendations on improving the roadway are assembled next year.

Trevor Sierra, who until recently was the lead civil attorney in the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office, alleges County Administrator Cassy Taylor used her role to fundraise on behalf of a ballot initiative to eliminate the county’s elected auditor position.

The McLean County Board saw opposition from Republican members to both the proposed budget and the property tax levy.

After 14 years on the county board's district largely serving south Bloomington, Susan Schafer will end her term this year after losing in Tuesday's election. She said her legacy is in health.

A referendum to eliminate the elected office of McLean County auditor doesn’t appear to have much opposition, but that doesn’t mean it will pass. It’s the second time in the last decade people will vote on the issue.

The McLean County Board received a presentation of fiscal year 2025's projections that include a slight decrease in overall spending, a property tax decrease and higher salaries for county employees.