Normal's fiscal year 2015-2016 is $101.7 million. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – The Normal Town Council will vote on approving the fiscal year 2015-2016 budget Monday night.

The $101.7 million budget is described by City Manager Mark Peterson as "status quo." He said it contains no significant program extensions or expansions.

"By the same token there are no significant program level reductions or service level reductions in the budget," said Peterson. "We have, however, tightened our belt. We have trimmed expenses in a variety of areas where we felt we could tighten things up and not have an adverse impact on overall service level."

Peterson explained the town has had to deal with some lower than expected revenues.

"We've had lagging growth in sales tax, food and beverage tax, and some of those other consumer based revenue sources," said Peterson. "We also had a less than stellar performance in our state income tax receipts."

To account for some of the decline in revenue, the town has made an effort to create new funds, such as a new $0.04 per gallon local gas tax.

"Which, again, will match the tax that Bloomington enacted about a year ago. Many cities in Central Illinois have a similar tax," Peterson said.

The gas tax is expected to create about $600,000 in additional revenue a year.

Another inclusion in the budget is an increase in the town's garbage service fee. Peterson said the proposal is to increase monthly fees from $12 to $18.

"As we look at other communities, that still is a good deal," said Peterson. "We provide, probably, the highest level of service of any of the communities that we surveyed."

The council will vote Monday on approving the gas tax and higher garbage fees.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].