Decatur City Council approves police contract, video gaming changes

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur City Council held its regular meeting Monday night, where they approved several different measures.

Council approves CBA with Decatur Police union

The city council agreed to a four-year collective bargaining agreement with the Decatur Police Benevolent and Protective Association (PB&PA). Already approved by the PB&PA, the CBA will go into effect at the start of the new year.

Highlights of the CBA include a 7% wage increase next year and a 3% increase each following year. In addition, the residency requirement for Decatur officers has been expanded from 40 to 50 miles from the city limits. Both of these changes are expected to help with recruiting.

Liquor, video gaming code changes support local businesses

The city council also changed its liquor code related to video gaming.

Officials said the number of licenses that allow for video gaming was capped, but the code changes now allow for licenses to be issued dependent on a development agreement with the applicant. While council members agreed that the desire is to reduce the number of video gaming establishments, officials said they felt that certain businesses that request gaming do provide a greater overall value to the city.

The exchange of a license for unique entertainment, significant investment and/or jobs is worth it, council members said.

The city council also approved language that allows for the transfer of a liquor license. If a business changes locations but not owners, or if a business changes owners but everything else stays the same, the license can be transferred with a $250 fee.

2024 Trick-or-treat hours set

In other business, the city council set the city’s official 2024 trick-or-treating window — Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Council tables tax proposal on alternative gas suppliers

The city council also discussed taxing natural gas if the provider is not Ameren. However, several council members were not ready to move forward and asked for the proposal to be tabled. They wanted more time to speak with potentially affected natural gas customers in the city — about 200 users and 450 accounts.

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