By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – The Town of Normal and City of Bloomington have both approved a one percent sales tax increase, now it’s a question of how to use the new revenue.

The Normal Town Council plans to take up that issue Monday night.

Twenty-five percent of the revenue is already earmarked for mental health care needs in McLean County. Normal Finance Director Andrew Huhn said staff is recommending Connect Transit and business development each receive $390,000.

“The biggest one is certainly concrete street repair and replacement,” said Huhn. “Right now, the council action recommends about $1 million more a year be spent on that.”

Other possibilities are $500,000 for One Normal Plaza redevelopment and another $500,000 for increased debt payments.

“There’s some different capital projects with the parks department, assuming the council wants to do that kind of thing,” Huhn said.

The town could also use $95,000 for police body cameras.

The sales tax increase will not become active until January.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].