By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – The Normal Town Council plans to have a discussion Monday on Bloomington’s vote to unilaterally terminate the Metro Zone tax sharing deal, which has created a volley of comments from both Normal and Bloomington this week.

Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner said Thursday Normal Mayor Chris Koos had threatened a lawsuit if the city unilaterally terminated the Metro Zone agreement. Normal City Manager Mark Peterson said he doesn’t believe this issue will come to a lawsuit, but it’s not entirely impossible.

“That’s Trai Renner’s allegation of a lunch that happened three years ago,” said Peterson. “I know Mayor Koos pretty well and usually when you have a conversation he doesn’t threaten litigation. It’s just not his style.

“I don’t know what was said three years ago, but I think the mayor has said more recently that the town’s not interested in litigation.”

Peterson wasn’t sure if the idea of a lawsuit will be brought up Monday or not. He added a lawsuit would probably be a “measure of last resort.”

One thing he said the council is likely to discuss is how to make up for lost revenue.

“Our share of the Metro Zone revenue has been a little over $1 million a year in recent years,” Peterson said.

Peterson explained the town’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which the council will consider adopting Monday, had expected that $1.2 million as part of the town’s revenue. He said the likely way to make up for the lost funds will be spending reductions.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].