Program Fees, Entertainment Costs on the Rise in Normal
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: March 4, 2013
NORMAL- Dirk Shannabarger spends lots of time drinking in the sights of uptown normal.
"I think they did a really good job with all the changes they made to it."
The streets are now filled with restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
But the price of taking part in the fun is on the rise.
"It's not as though we're making a profit. We're just trying to cover our costs," said City Manager Mark Peterson.
As part of its fiscal year 2013-2014 budget, the town is looking at:
-Five dollar rate increases at it's before and after school programs
-Tacking an extra dollar onto the price of a ticket at the Normal Movie Theatre and the Children's Discovery Museum
-A six percent water rate increase and a 50 cent bump in the water department's monthly system maintenance fee.
"I can't say I like it, but I understand it does happen," said Shannabarger.
Brittney DeCrois babysits for an area family, and says the extra museum cost could be noticeable.
"A dollar per kid, per week, that adds up pretty quick."
"We typically generate some concerns when we increase fees," said Peterson. "Normal Theatre, Children's Discovery Museum, we set those to try to make sure it is still an affordable option for people."
The town is also proposing an annual license fee of $200 for each video gambling machine in an establishment.
"That would be another revenue source that would go into our general fund that would be available to spend on a variety of operating programs and activities," added Peterson.
The changes are part of Normal's proposed $92 million dollar budget.
Leaders hope to keep costs reasonable while still trying to make upgrades to streets and buildings.
And for what's it worth, some say they don't mind paying a little extra.
"I don't think that will deter us from going any more than we already do," added Shannabarger.
"I think they did a really good job with all the changes they made to it."
The streets are now filled with restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
But the price of taking part in the fun is on the rise.
"It's not as though we're making a profit. We're just trying to cover our costs," said City Manager Mark Peterson.
As part of its fiscal year 2013-2014 budget, the town is looking at:
-Five dollar rate increases at it's before and after school programs
-Tacking an extra dollar onto the price of a ticket at the Normal Movie Theatre and the Children's Discovery Museum
-A six percent water rate increase and a 50 cent bump in the water department's monthly system maintenance fee.
"I can't say I like it, but I understand it does happen," said Shannabarger.
Brittney DeCrois babysits for an area family, and says the extra museum cost could be noticeable.
"A dollar per kid, per week, that adds up pretty quick."
"We typically generate some concerns when we increase fees," said Peterson. "Normal Theatre, Children's Discovery Museum, we set those to try to make sure it is still an affordable option for people."
The town is also proposing an annual license fee of $200 for each video gambling machine in an establishment.
"That would be another revenue source that would go into our general fund that would be available to spend on a variety of operating programs and activities," added Peterson.
The changes are part of Normal's proposed $92 million dollar budget.
Leaders hope to keep costs reasonable while still trying to make upgrades to streets and buildings.
And for what's it worth, some say they don't mind paying a little extra.
"I don't think that will deter us from going any more than we already do," added Shannabarger.
