Decatur council adopts municipal wheel tax after public hearing

The City of Decatur Common Council on Aug. 19 adopted Ordinance 2025-5 to impose a municipal wheel tax and create the City of Decatur Wheel Tax Fund and the City of Decatur Motor Vehicle License Excise Tax Fund. The ordinance passed on its second and final reading by a roll call vote of 4–0, with Councilor Jenny Bowers‑Shultz absent.

City Attorney Anne Razo opened the 7 p.m. public hearing by explaining the forum was for public input on the proposed ordinance. Resident Rebecca Cochran asked for clarification and warned residents that "people need to recognize they will be paying a County and a City Wheel Tax." A second attendee who wished to remain anonymous asked whether the Amish would be taxed; Mayor Rickord replied that they "would if they lived in the City." No other residents spoke for or against the ordinance.

The council first suspended its regular meeting to take public comment and then reconvened to complete business. Councilor Scott Murray moved to place the ordinance on second reading by short title; the motion was seconded by Abby Wilder and the ordinance was adopted on second reading by roll call vote.

The ordinance establishes the new wheel‑tax and motor vehicle excise funds for the city; the minutes do not specify a rate or projected revenue in the hearing discussion. The council did not record any amendments or reservations to the ordinance at the meeting.

The council earlier noted state discussions about shifting municipal funding toward income taxes, a context Mayor Rickord said could affect municipal revenues going forward. The ordinance takes effect according to the dates and procedures set within the ordinance text. There was no recorded formal motion to delay implementation at the Aug. 19 meeting.