City Council approves 2025 City Budget, two new solar projects

     Highlights from the November 18, 2024 Decatur City Council meeting include approval of the 2025 City Budget, and two new solar projects for City facilities that will save approximately $120,000 annually on electricity costs.

2025 City Budget
     On Monday night the Decatur City Council approved the 2025 City Budget, providing important direction for City staff for 2025 projects. The entire approved budget will be available at https://decaturil.gov/177/City-Budget in the coming days. It is a balanced budget with total expenditures at $271.5 million, excluding interfund transfers.
     The budget includes millions for neighborhood revitalization initiatives, including demolitions and residential home rehabilitation projects. This is the first time these initiatives will be funded in the budget without the help of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies, as those were COVID-19 relief funds that have now been expended.
     Funding for public safety was also included in the approved budget as Decatur Police can add seven Police Patrol Officers, bringing the total to 154 authorized sworn officers. The Decatur Fire Department can add a third Fire Inspector and a Deputy Chief to oversee training. Both departments also have increased training included in the budget.
     The property tax levy will be approved on December 2. The approved budget includes a 7 percent increase in the total levy, and would be a slight increase in the property tax mill rate compared to last year. For a Decatur property owner with a property value of $134,500 (average median home value in Decatur), they would pay about $15 more to the City in property taxes in 2025. Council members were still conflicted on the property tax levy amount they would choose, with some supporting no more than a 5 percent total increase to the levy. City Manager Gleason said if the levy would be at a 5 percent increase, he could reconcile that difference in revenue by moving the hire dates of a few Police Patrol Officer positions to later in the year. The City’s portion of the overall property tax bill is about 16 percent.

New Solar projects
     Council also reviewed and approved two new solar projects that will cost the City zero capital and will save taxpayers an estimated $120,000 annually for the next 15 years. Similar to the successful Civic Center solar project, the Decatur Public Library and the City’s William Street Pump Station will get solar panels installed to help reduce the City’s carbon footprint and save money on electric costs.
The same company that was awarded the Civic Center project will be undertaking both projects. The Decatur Public Library will have solar panels placed on the new roof along with adding a few solar canopies in the parking lot (similar to those in the Civic Center parking lot). The William Street project will be ground-mounted solar panels as there is a large open field on the City’s property.
Just like at the Civic Center, the City is paying for NONE of the construction costs of the panels/canopies. These are entirely being funded by the contractor and will be owned and maintained by the contractor. The City will engage in a power purchase contract, and will lock in an electricity rate for the next 15 years. Including the Civic Center solar project, the three projects will save the City approximately $250,000 annually for the next 15 years.

More information about these topics can be found in the City Council meeting packet, downloadable/viewable here: www.decaturil.gov/389/Agendas-Minutes