The mayor of Normal says he's disappointed aldermen in Bloomington ended discussion toward a shared sales tax revenue agreement between the two communities.
During Sound Ideas, Chris Koos said it's unfortunate dialogue got cut off so quickly.
"Some of the factual data that was being quoted at the Bloomington council meeting was just rumor. We'd never had that discussion. We'd never proposed some of the things that were talked about. So, I think rumor killed it," said Koos.
Koos specifically cited what he says is a false notion that a sales tax sharing concept would cost Bloomington about $600,000. Last month, aldermen in Bloomington voted overwhelmingly not to pursue discussion.
Koos said he's concerned killing revenue sharing might harm the communities' relationship with the Economic Development Council and BN Advantage--two groups that had endorsed the idea. Koos says it will be up to Bloomington officials if the concept resurfaces.
"I don't want anyone driving this process. It needs to be a collaborative discussion," Koos said. But he added that if the concept returns, it will have to be re-initiated by Bloomington officials.
