Decatur proposes 0.565713 tax rate, schedules hearings and advances budget to second reading

City Manager Nate presented the Decatur proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget and a proposed property tax rate of 0.565713 per $100 of taxable value during the July 20 City Council meeting.

Nate described the rate as split between 0.407008 for maintenance and operations (M&O) and 0.158705 for interest and sinking (I&S), and said the rate would generate $591,335 in additional revenue, including $67,676 attributable to new construction. He said the city’s certified taxable value rose to $1,495,281,348, a roughly 7.5% year-over-year increase, and that the proposed rate would reduce the overall tax rate by “just over a penny.”

The council voted to schedule public hearings on the budget and tax rate for the next regular meeting on Aug. 25. A separate, roll-call resolution (R2025-0820) certifying the city’s property tax values also passed by recorded vote. The council then approved a motion to propose the 0.565713 ad valorem tax rate and to schedule the tax-rate public hearing on Aug. 25; both actions advanced the tax and budget process to first-reading ordinances and set the items for second…