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City of Decatur Common Council adopts internal-control training ordinance and raises concrete disposal fees
Summary
At its April 7 meeting the City of Decatur Common Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 2026-4 (internal-control training) and Ordinance 2026-5 (concrete disposal fee increases for the Elm Street Public Works Building); the council also received a water-project schedule and department updates.
The City of Decatur Common Council unanimously adopted two ordinances on April 7, 2026, advancing a new internal-control training requirement and raising concrete disposal fees at the Elm Street Public Works Building.
Why it matters: The new internal-control training (Ordinance 2026-4) clarifies staff procedures for financial controls and the concrete-fee changes (Ordinance 2026-5) alter how contractors and residents will be charged to dispose of concrete at the city's public works facility.
Council action and votes: Jenny Bowers-Shultz moved to place Ordinance 2026-4 on its second reading by short title and, after City Attorney Anne Razo read the ordinance by short title, Bowers-Shultz moved to adopt it on its second and final reading; Abby Wilder seconded and a roll call vote passed 5–0. The council then recorded the proper publication of the public hearing for Ordinance 2026-5 and followed the same short-title/read/adopt sequence for Ordinance 2026-5; that adoption also passed by a 5–0 roll call vote.
Public hearing and fees: The council suspended its regular meeting at 7 p.m. to open a public hearing on proposed concrete disposal fee increases at the Elm Street Public Works Building. City Attorney Anne Razo said she sought speakers for or against the proposal; with no one appearing, the hearing was closed and the ordinance was adopted later in the meeting.
Other business and updates: Mayor Rickord told the council the water-project bid opening is expected by the end of May, with construction likely starting in July or August and continuing into 2027; he said the project will bring “great improvements in the water system.” Curt Witte, Building and Zoning Superintendent, previewed a forthcoming formal proposal to increase the residential tree fee from $200 to $225 and to raise home-construction inspection fees to about $40, saying he will bring the ordinance language to the April 21 meeting. Parks and Recreation Superintendent Cara Gerber said the city will reseed the dog park one side at a time and that youth summer camps for grades 2–8 will run from early May through July. Infrastructure Superintendent Josh Zimmerman reported continued work on 12th Street between Nuttman and Jackson, including a temporary closure behind the Burger King, and Matt Schultz said heavy trash pick-up week is progressing well.
Administrative items: The council made the Conflict of Interest form signed by Brandon Wiseman and the Certificate of Appointment for Mollie Hackman to the Park Board matters of record. Scott Murray moved to pay the claims as presented; Abby Wilder seconded and the motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.
What’s next: Curt Witte will present a formal proposal on tree and inspection fee increases at the April 21, 2026 meeting; the city will hold additional briefings as water-project planning proceeds.
