Normal council approves ISU license agreement, insurance renewal and $48,385 vehicle purchase

The Normal Town Council on May 4 approved three routine but consequential measures: a license agreement with the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University for the Main Street Water Tower property, renewal of the town’s participation in the Municipal Insurance Cooperative Agency insurance program for plan year 2026–2027, and a budget adjustment to authorize purchase of a 2026 Ford Explorer for $48,385 from Sutton Ford Incorporated through the state joint‑purchasing program.

Those items were handled by roll call votes after being offered on the omnibus and new‑business agendas. Council approved consent items including minutes of the April 20 emergency and regular meetings and a report to receive and file town expenditures as of April 29, 2026; the council then voted to waive formal bidding and purchase the Ford Explorer as part of the omnibus package.

The license agreement with Illinois State University covers use of the Main Street Water Tower property; the council approved the resolution by unanimous roll call. The council also unanimously renewed the town’s membership in the Municipal Insurance Cooperative Agency for the 2026–2027 plan year.

Roll-call voting recorded the following yes votes on the omnibus and the two resolutions: Mr. Preston, Mrs. Lorenz, Mr. Robers, Ms. Smith, Mr. McCarthy and Mayor Koos. No nay votes, abstentions or recorded recusals were announced on these measures.

The vehicle purchase was described in the packet as an authorized procurement through the Illinois state joint purchasing program; the resolution authorizing the purchase included an associated budget adjustment. The council did not request further staff direction on these items during the meeting.

The council adjourned at 7:10 p.m.