By: Diane Benjamin All the Financial Information for the Town of Normal is now posted on the Comptroller’s website. It includes reports on the FIVE TIF districts. This site is for citizens because they are in a much easier to read format. The reports used to be easy to find, the Democrat Comptroller redesigned the […]
By: Diane Benjamin This is a little complicated if you don’t understand TIF districts. The basics are: An area is declared a TIF in order to revitalize a blighted area Money is borrowed for TIF spending, it can be used to incentivize new development Tax money raised within the TIF is then used to pay off […]
By: Diane Benjamin Follow-up to this story: https://blnnews.com/2019/07/30/hyatt-is-up-for-sale/ I’m sure any potential buyers of the Hyatt would know it hasn’t performed up to expectations. Since this is public record, it’s fit to print. PDF page 159: http://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2672 The Hyatt wanted a tax rebate from Normal, but withdrew it before the meeting. Maybe since JB was […]
By: Diane Benjamin The Hyatt hotel in Uptown Normal is up for sale. See this link: https://my.rcm1.com/handler/brochure.aspx?pv=mRNXWt0RlmCk-j7gcPvd37dCBFTPr5wAhNU4BWC3X1NtpYZRdxrTlcvS4Qct5ijT See page 5 for claims about the local economy: Rivian will have 1000 employees next year and Trail East Development will have 830 employees. It also lists AFNI (who is moving to Trail East when it is built) […]
By: Diane Benjamin Tari thinks a Public-Private partnership can save the State Farm building in downtown Bloomington. Jenn Carrillo must think she can bully State Farm the way she did the Gypsy Room. If you don’t understand the hazards to your wallet, keep reading. If you do, a petition to “Let It Go” is on-line […]
By: Diane Benjamin Tonight the Normal Council will be meeting for just a few minutes. The only highlight is selling 2 garbage trucks to the City of Kewanee for $260,000. Normal already bought replacements. It is really tough to keep track of all the Uptown History and how much taxpayers money has been invested, so […]
By: Diane Benjamin Something isn’t right with Hyatt reportedly changing their minds on wanting tax rebates from Normal. The resolution and new agreement was in the packet for last night’s meeting: PDF page 159 and following: http://www.normal.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2672 The Town of Normal didn’t seem to mind the handout – they put it on the agenda where […]
By: Diane Benjamin Whenever Bloomington and Normal “think” a spending item is beyond question they put it on the Consent Agenda. In Normal they call it the Omnibus Vote. The council is supposed to vote YES on lots of things at once. An item can be pulled, but it usually gets passed anyway. I enjoy […]
By: Diane Benjamin Thanks to a reader who pointed this out to me! Around 1/3 of my stories are tips from readers, I REALLY appreciate it. FY 2016 Adopted Budget Book 1-Budget Overview & General Fundd The below is from Book One Budget Document on the City Website: (including the spelling) http://www.cityblm.org/index.aspx?page=21&parent=8220 Note it’s 2016 […]
