NORMAL - The two Normal mayoral candidates debated - sometimes heatedly - about budget priorities, providing core services and crime rate statistics Thursday. | ELECTION HQ: Stories, candidate bios, endorsements | Labor group back Koos, Renner

It was the first public debate for current Mayor Chris Koos and his opponent Andrew Matthews. It took place in a packed Prairie Room at Illinois State University's Bone Student Center and was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of McLean County, Senior Professionals and ISU's Student Government Association.

Incumbent council candidates Jason Chambers, Cheryl Gaines and Adam Nielsen followed with a debate with challenger Scott Preston. Three at-large seats are up for election on April 7.

Koos maintained his two full terms as mayor have been "collaborative" and consensus-building with a primary focus of core services such as police, fire and garbage pickup while also looking at rejuvenating uptown and keeping a balanced budget.

Matthews called the town's bond debt for uptown "problematic" and called for the town to "rein in" spending. He maintains the town needs more police and needs to address fire department response time to the east and far north sides of town.

Koos said the town is financially solid and, except for the uptown project, still follows a pay-as-you-go philosophy.

Matthews said the $3 million debt interest payment each year means the town can't afford to fix streets, buy ambulances or address fire department needs.

The debate became heated when the two candidates discussed crime statistics.

Koos said overall crime is down in town and defended the police department's response to areas that have experienced crime. He said while Police Chief Kent Crutcher would like more officers, the chief admits he doesn't need them.

But Matthews said over the past five years, crime statistics have been on the rise until last year and residents want a safer community. He said police logged 14,000 hours of overtime and suggested Crutcher was "cognizant of the administration" when he said the officers weren't needed.