The Decatur County Council meeting began with the 2026 Budget Public Hearing. A couple department heads stood to ask questions or request revisions. Overall, there were not any major changes or concerns brought to the meeting. The total 2026 budget after changes requested and approved today shows $12,171,324.00 at the close of the budget hearing.
The council approved 2025-15 Community Impact Fee Ordinance. Which outlines who is in control of any economic development funds that may be received by the county. This specifies that any payments made are under the control of the county council. It was made clear that this is not a fee that the general community makes, instead this is a process that collects payments from tax abated businesses.
Doug Westerfeld, Area Plan Director requested and received approval from the council to re-appoint Ryan Kennelly to the Area Plan Commission. Doug pointed out that Ryan’s term expired on 12/31/24, however he could not find where he was re-appointed officially.
Emily Verseman, Executive Director of the Community Healthcare Clinic, reported that the clinic continues to serve underinsured and uninsured residents. Appointment fees remain $10 for medical visits and $20 for dental visits. Verseman noted that the clinic is nearing completion of a $90,000 dental equipment upgrade and has secured $250,000 per year in Lilly Endowment funding, renewable for up to three years, to expand mental health services. The clinic currently serves more than 100 patients, a number that continues to grow as healthcare coverage changes. Verseman said they are requesting support from the council “in whatever amount they see fit.”
Council President Danny Peters mentioned that no formal request had been received from the clinic. Verseman clarified that she had submitted it via email to the Auditor’s office. After discussion, the council voted to add the clinic as an additional organization eligible for funding, bringing the total to 10 organizations, each expected to receive approximately $8,000 if the budget passes as amended.
LeighAnn Dashiell, 911 Director, presented a proposal to upgrade the 911 center’s technology. She explained that a new database would integrate texting, mapping, and other components while allowing for future expansion into AI and additional tools to support dispatchers. The current system, now 20 years old, last received upgrades in 2018.
Dashiell said maintaining and upgrading the existing system would cost about $65,000 but would not prepare the center for future needs. She requested approval to purchase a new system for $223,000, plus $12,500 for enhanced mapping & technology capabilities. Funding would come from $125,000 in state 911 cash surplus funds and up to $125,000 from the 911 city/county surplus cash funds, leaving both accounts with healthy balances for any future needs.
If approved, Dashiell aims to have the new system operational by spring 2026. As the request must first be advertised, the council asked her to return next month for a vote.
The council approved one transfer, one additional appropriation, and a salary ordinance adjustment to reflect a Sheriff’s Deputy moving from the night shift to the day shift, which eliminates the deputy’s night incentive pay.
