Normal Town Council

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.

Finance director Andrew Huhn presented an overview of financial trends from the 2024-25 fiscal year compared with previous years. The report largely showed growth or steady trends.

Households in Normal could soon be allowed to have a maximum limit of one more pet, if an ordinance change is approved by the town council on Monday.

The Normal Town Council approved a measure to extend a municipal insurance agency during its Tuesday meeting.