City Council furthers watershed protection, continues demolitions, reviews 2023 budget
Decatur, IL – Highlights from the November 7, 2022 Decatur City Council meeting include more actions to protect the Lake Decatur Watershed, another large slate of demolitions of abandoned properties, and the beginning of the review session for the City’s 2023 proposed budget.
Watershed Protection
On Monday night, the Decatur City Council approved several resolutions that will further the City’s Lake Decatur Watershed Protection program. The goal of this program is to reduce the quantity of sediment, silt, and nitrates from entering Lake Decatur and to assure good water quality and proper watershed stewardship for the future.
Council’s first action on this topic was the approval of an agreement with the City’s watershed consultant, Northwater Consulting, to continue with the watershed management plan. A majority of this next phase of work includes grant management and working with land owners and other partners within the watershed. The second agreement is with the Macon County Conservation District for construction of two floating wetlands in Friends Creek Park to help control nutrients, sediment, and erosion. The final agreement is with the Illinois State Water Survey to assist with monitoring the City’s watershed work and analyzing the effectiveness of our efforts.
More demolitions of abandoned properties
As part of their continuing efforts to revitalize neighborhoods, the Council approved another slate of demolitions of abandoned properties. A total of 13 buildings in various parts of Decatur will come down after the Council’s action Monday night. Additionally, Council approved another eight unsafe and abandoned structures to continue through the demolition process. They will soon go out for bid to be demolished.
One other demolition was approved, but for a different purpose. The City of Decatur has recently
acquired property previously operated by Tommy House Tire at 333 E. Macon St. The site has numerous buildings, but one building in particular was approved to be demolished due to heavy deterioration. Moving forward, this site will extend the Decatur Public Transit campus as we make improvements to support a zero-emissions fleet by 2035.
2023 City of Decatur budget review
On Monday night, the Decatur City Council began its review of the 2023 proposed City budget during a study session. The City of Decatur’s fiscal year is January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
Monday’s session covered one half of the proposed budget and focused heavily on Public Safety as well as Neighborhood Revitalization initiatives led by the Economic & Community Development (ECD) department. Several Council members indicated they are excited about the work accomplished by ECD so far – so much so that they want to see more funds budgeted for the department’s programming. As for public safety, the Council reaffirmed its support of and commitment to both the police and fire department. Council members again asked how the departments can better recruit so the City isn’t seeing a lack of public safety due to staffing.
The other half of the proposed 2023 City budget will be reviewed in a special study session on Monday, November 14. Following both study sessions, the budget will be revised based on the Council’s amendments. Then it will be submitted for a public hearing and community input phase. The City Council can make additional changes to the proposed budget based on public feedback before taking a final vote. To review the entire proposed budget, visit www.decaturil.gov/departments/finance/city-budget/
More details about the budget will be communicated in future releases as the Council continues with the budgeting process.
More information about these topics can be found in the City Council Agenda packet, downloadable/viewable here: www.decaturil.gov/mayor-and-council/council-meetings/
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