Normal Town Council

The Normal Town Council authorized town staff to prepare the 2025 property tax levy ordinance during a sometimes tense meeting on Monday.

The mayor of Normal is answering criticism of the town council decision's to move ahead with the Uptown underpass project despite steep price increases and a larger town share of the $40.3 million cost.

The Uptown underpass project, first proposed 10 years ago, was approved Monday night by the Normal Town Council with a sunset provision on tax increases needed to complete financing.

Some Uptown business owners are criticizing a proposal to raise food and beverage and hotel-motel taxes in Normal. They’re also not happy about an accelerated timeline to a council vote on Monday — just three business days after the proposal became public.

To get the decade-old Uptown underpass project over the finish line will require increases in food and beverage and hotel-motel taxes. That staff recommendation emerged at a special town council meeting on Wednesday evening.

The approved resolution totaled $69,750 for the art pieces, all crafted by Illinois artists and are planned to be installed this spring with a grand opening soon after.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos said another developer is interested in the Uptown site, but the town's existing TIF district is too short term.

Normas Director of Zoning and Planning Mercy Davison said town staff is making great progress in the town’s Vision 2050/Sustainability plan. Davison gave an update to the Normal Town Council at Monday's meeting.

The Town of Normal on Monday approved a new Records Management System ahead of McLean County government, and soon after the Bloomington City Council took the same action last month.

The annual financial trends report for the Town of Normal shows a largely positive picture. The town says most of its leading indicators are healthy, though there are a couple things to watch.