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NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — The city council in Normal has approved a sales tax increase of 1 cent per dollar to fund mental health services.
If Bloomington also approves the tax increase in a vote on Monday, the change will take effect Jan. 1.
Ten percent of the estimated $6 million in extra annual revenue will go toward mental health.
The (Bloomington) Pantagraph reports (http://bit.ly/1EOSAYf ) the rest could be split among projects such as athletic fields, public transit and business development.
The Normal City Council voted 6-0 on Tuesday to increase the sales tax from 7.75 percent to 8.75 percent.
Council member R.C. McBride says it's not like splurging on a new convertible in "some midlife crisis." He says, "These are investments."
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Information from: The Pantagraph, http://www.pantagraph.com
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