NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) -- At Monday's Town of Normal Town Council meeting, six items pertaining to the underpass project were approved.

But the decisions did not come with ease. The first item on the agenda about the project was to increase the food and beverage tax from 2% to 2.25% as well as the hotel motel tax from 6% to 8%.

Town staff said the purpose is to support the debt service on a $12 million bond issue. That item went around the horseshoe for nearly two hours before being approved with a four-to-three vote. Andy Byars, Kathleen Lorenz and Scott Preston voted no.

Council members kept their votes the same for the remaining five underpass items. Those votes went without discussion.

The other items were: • Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds in an Aggre

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