The Decatur City Council on Tuesday approved a revised water rate ordinance that lowers the previously proposed increase after the city secured more favorable funding for its ongoing State Revolving Fund project.
Ordinance 2026‑10, adopted on final reading following a public hearing, reduces the planned water rate increase from 15% to 11%. The change follows updated project bids and additional grant support that became available after the council’s first public hearing last month.
Ben Adams, an engineer with Commonwealth, told council members the city received strong bids for the project and was able to expand the number of lead service line replacements. He said the total amount of work justified a larger funding package, including an increase in grant dollars and additional 0% interest financing.
Jennifer Wilson, the city’s municipal adviser from Crowe, said the improved funding terms lowered the city’s projected debt service from about $726,000 to $555,000. She said that reduction made it possible to scale back the rate increase to 11%.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing.
The council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance after placing it on second reading by short title only. The measure updates the city’s water rate tables in Section 53.002 of the municipal code.
Council members noted the ordinance had been introduced at the previous meeting, where the original 15% increase was discussed before the new funding information became available.