Decatur council adopts amended water-rate ordinance after larger SRF awards lower increase to 11%

The City of Decatur Common Council voted 5-0 on June 16 to adopt Ordinance 2026-10, which reduces the proposed water-rate increase from 15% to 11% after higher-than-expected State Revolving Fund (SRF) funding adjusted the project's financing. Councilmember Jenny Bowers-Shultz moved for adoption and the ordinance passed on its second and final reading by roll call.

City Attorney Anne Razo opened the public hearing on the ordinance. Ben Adams of Commonwealth Engineering told the council that the SRF award package had been improved: the grant portion rose to $8 million (from an earlier $5.5 million), an interest-free loan portion increased from $2.5 million to $5 million, and an additional $9 million financing package for 35 years was offered at an interest rate below 3%. According to Adams, those changes allowed staff to recommend lowering the planned rate increase to 11%.

There were no public speakers for the ordinance during the hearing; Councilmember Scott Murray moved to close the public hearing and reconvene the regular meeting. The council made the required public-notice record for the amended ordinance, placed Ordinance 2026-10 on second reading by short title, and then adopted it as amended on its second and final reading by roll call (5-0).

The ordinance was introduced earlier in the council's meeting packet and was discussed only in the context of the revised SRF funding and the resulting adjustment to the rate proposal. City officials present included Mayor Rickord, Clerk-Treasurer Eran Hackman, City Attorney Anne Razo and representatives from Commonwealth Engineering.

The council did not record additional amendments during the meeting; effective dates or implementation steps were not specified in the minutes.