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Decatur council adopts harassment-training policy, raises police petty cash and approves local projects
Summary
On Aug. 5 the Decatur Common Council adopted a mandatory harassment-training resolution, approved a police petty-cash increase, adopted a salary-ordinance amendment for stormwater/wastewater staffing, approved purchase of downtown planters and agreed to contribute $3,300 toward a courthouse flag project.
The Decatur Common Council on Aug. 5 adopted Resolution 2025-9, which amends the employee handbook to require harassment training for current employees and new hires; approved Resolution 2025-10 to raise the police petty-cash fund from $200 to $400; and adopted Ordinance 2025-6 clarifying full-time versus part-time staffing in the stormwater and wastewater department.
Jamie Gephart, Community Coordinator, presented two quotes for six Cat Alley planters (three 24-inch and three 36-inch). The Grainery quoted $2,550 and an online vendor, E Planters, quoted $4,243; the council voted to purchase the planters from The Grainery for $2,550.
In public comment, John Summers of the Adams County Council asked the city to share 50% of the $6,600 cost to finish a flag installation atop the Courthouse. The council voted to contribute $3,300 to the project. Other routine business included brief department updates: Police Chief Kevin Gerber said a new shed had been delivered; Fire Chief Jeff Sheets reported fire-extinguisher training at Adams Memorial Hospital; Assistant Water Department Superintendent Bill Carpenter said the "Get the Lead Out" lead-reduction campaign will resume the week of Aug. 25; and Stormwater Superintendent Josh Zimmerman reported work on Schirmeyer Street. The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Why it matters: The resolutions and ordinance change adjust internal operations and small funds (personnel training, petty cash and staffing classifications) rather than imposing new taxes or broad budget shifts. The contribution to the Courthouse flag is an intergovernmental, symbolic project funded from city funds. The planter purchase supports downtown placemaking under the Decatur Main Street Cat Alley project.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025-9 adopted (motion by Jenny Bowers-Shultz, seconded by Abby Wilder; voice vote adopted). Resolution 2025-10 adopted (motion to adopt by Jenny Bowers-Shultz, seconded by Abby Wilder; voice vote adopted). Ordinance 2025-6 adopted on second reading (roll-call vote 4–0, Scott Murray absent). The planters purchase and the $3,300 contribution for the flag were approved by motions recorded in the minutes.
Next steps: Budget-related dates were distributed by Clerk-Treasurer Eran Hackman (Council review Aug. 19; public hearing Sept. 16; adoption Oct. 7), and the "Get the Lead Out" campaign resumes the week of Aug. 25.
