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ChangeDecatur Information
This is where you can find all of the information that will help answer your questions about the ChangeDecatur referendum, which may be on a future ballot.
General Information
 | Decatur currently uses a council-manager form of city government. The city
manager is an appointed position. |
| The city council is elected at-large, which includes six members and a
mayor. A simple majority of four makes most of the decisions. Our members
serve part-time. |
| The mayor has limited authority. |
| There are several downstate cities that have the commission form of
municipal government. |
| Of 1300
towns/cities in Illinois, only 75 use the council-manager format. |
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Proposed Change
| Abandon the council-manager form of government |
| Adopt the commission form of government |
| In April 2009, attempt to adopt the strong mayor (aldermanic) form of government |
| Mayor would be a full-time position and would run the city with help from
assistants |
| Council would be elected at-large, as is currently done. State law
currently requires there to be 4 commissioners along with a at-large mayor. |
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Why should citizens vote for this change?
| Greater focus on key priorities |
| Mayor will be more effective and accountable leader |
| City government will be more responsible |
| Less shifting of responsibility & accountability issues |
| Council will better represent neighborhoods and their concerns |
| Citizens will be more active in this form of government |
| Signal to the state and county that Decatur is changing for the better |
| Increased and better marketing of Decatur |
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Will the proposed change be costly for the city?
| Current council members are each paid $4,000 per year and the mayor is
paid $8,000 per year, both of which serve part time. The cost of a council
with 4 members will be much different than currently being spent. The cost
of the mayor's full time salary and assistants will likely be offset by
savings from the eliminated city manager position. The currently city budget
is near $120 million. These cost differences are insignificant in terms of
taxes, expenses, and value of investments in the city. |
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Are 4 council members too few?
| Illinois state law requires 4 members for a city the size of Decatur. The
current city
council has 6 members and business advocates in Decatur claim that is too
many, nonetheless. |
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What issues might be more important to a new city
council?
| Help schools become more successful |
| Improve neighborhoods |
| Public safety and police force |
| Promoting Decatur for more jobs |
| Lower taxes |
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What will the ballot look like?
Most importantly, we need you to SPEAK OUT.
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What are we voting on?
| The February 5, 2008 ballot now only has one question. It is: |
Shall the City of Decatur RETAIN the MANAGER FORM of municipal
government? Yes NO
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A
no vote has the effect of starting change and adopting the commission form of
government on an interim basis.
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A yes vote would have retained the city manager form of
government and keep everything the same as it has been for the last 50 years.
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Is the commission form of government good for Decatur?
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We previously supported the a vote in favor of the commission system only for expediency. It would have avoided the dispute about the 46 month limitation on voting again for a strong mayor form of government. We prefer a local government system that has greater accountability and gives us the surest path forward to putting in place a stronger mayor and aldermanic form of government. |
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Critics say it is an ineffective form of government, is it?
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NO. Most forms of government can work effectively with the right people. We
advocate that strong mayor and alderman would be best for Decatur. Decatur
operated under the commission for years and was thriving the last time it was
in place. Mattoon and Effingham use the commission form and Portland, Oregon
just voted to keep theirs in place. |
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Won't it cause chaos?
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That is a RIDICULOUS statement being fostered on Decatur by people that like
the status quo and that don't want change. The City of Decatur has 500 employees. All, but a very few at the very top, won't be effected by this change even on an interim basis. States and companies change leadership and decision makers all the time with a minimum of disruption. Just recently, both CAT and A.D.M. went through major reorganizations and improved their leadership. If large state governments like New York and California, and large companies, can change their leadership and administration, then Decatur can too. |
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When may I vote?
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Absentee voters may
vote in the Macon County Clerks office prior to most elections. Early voting also allows voters to vote prior to the election. The final day to vote is the day of the election.
If you are not registered to vote, you can register and
vote in the County Clerk's office.
You do not need to declare a party affiliation to vote for
ChangeDecatur. There is a non-partisan ballot for those that wish to use it. |
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