Decatur City Council renews tax abatements, adopts three ordinances and approves youth Beautification funding transfer

The Decatur City Common Council on May 5 approved a slate of administrative and budget actions, including renewal of tax abatements for a local manufacturer, adoption of three ordinances, and a small budget transfer to complete a youth-led Beautification Project.

The council voted to renew eight Form CF-1 tax abatements for Hoosier Pattern Inc./RH Warehouse, LLC — four for personal property and four for real estate — tied to earlier resolutions (2018-14, 2019-11, 2022-12 and 2025-2). The company’s owner, Keith Gerber, attended and was complimented by council members for exceeding projections for employee counts and payroll; Gerber said "things were going quite well right now." Motions to renew each abatement were made and adopted by the Council.

Councilmembers also adopted three ordinances on second and final reading. Ordinance 2026-6 amends Chapter 150 of the Decatur Code to change building permit fees and the costs of city demolition services; City Attorney Anne Razo read the ordinance by short title and the Council approved it on a 4–0 roll call with Councilmember Abby Wilder absent. Ordinance 2026-7 reallocates REV Sports Complex concession revenue to permit deposits to the Parks Cash Change and Concession Fund, and Ordinance 2026-8 adjusts pay rates in the Sanitation Department and certain Parks and Recreation job titles; both were read by short title and adopted on 4–0 roll-call votes with Wilder absent.

Jamie Gephart, the city’s community coordinator, asked the Council to cover a shortfall for the Mayor’s Youth Council Beautification Project. Gephart said the program received 38 applications totaling $16,659.81 while only $15,000 was budgeted; with more than $5,000 available in the Façade Fund, Gephart requested a $1,659.81 transfer. Councilmember Matt Dyer moved to transfer $1,659.81 from the Façade Fund to the Beautification Project Fund; the motion, seconded by Jenny Bowers-Shultz, passed.

Mayor Rickord also relayed that the Decatur Chamber is planning a fireworks display on July 2 to coincide with a Thursday evening concert on Madison Street Plaza and with the United States’ 250th anniversary. The Chamber reported about $6,000 raised toward a $20,000–$25,000 fundraising goal; the Council agreed to consider possible budget support at a future meeting.

During department reports, Fire Chief Jeff Sheets said the new aerial truck will undergo final inspection in Wisconsin on May 18–19 and that the department received 18 applications for two open positions, with agility testing planned. Parks and Recreation Superintendent Cara Gerber highlighted summer camps and reported that recent REV concession revenue exceeded $17,000. Wastewater Superintendent Karey Fuelling said smoke testing will begin soon with advance notice to residents, and Street/Sanitation Superintendent Matt Schultz reported that veterans’ banners have arrived and will be installed.

The Council also approved routine items including adoption of the April 21 minutes, payment of claims and adjourned at 7:07 P.M.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 2026-4 (SRF water improvement): adopted (motion by Jenny Bowers-Shultz; second Matt Dyer; adopted). Ordinance 2026-7 (REV concession revenue reallocation): adopted by roll call 4–0 (Wilder absent). Ordinance 2026-8 (salary amendments): adopted by roll call 4–0 (Wilder absent). Ordinance 2026-6 (building permit and demolition fees): adopted by roll call 4–0 (Wilder absent). Transfer of $1,659.81 from Façade Fund to Beautification Project Fund: adopted (motion by Matt Dyer; second Jenny Bowers-Shultz). Multiple CF-1 abatements for Hoosier Pattern Inc./RH Warehouse, LLC: adopted (motions as noted in minutes).