Reductions in state subsidies are one reason for Decatur’s predicament, but long-running pension woes are an even larger source of pain.

The Decatur City Council moved to stop paying $20,000 to sponsor a golf tournament with the village of Forsyth, a sensible move for a shrinking city operating on a budget deficit.

With countywide population dipping, remaining taxpayers in Macon County are being left with an ever-increasing property tax bill.

Despite living in one of the most overtaxed counties in the country, the Des Plaines City Council approved an $11,255 salary increase for its city manager, raising the cost of government even more for taxpayers.

Decatur’s population is shrinking, but earnings for the city manager continue to grow.

After passing an unbalanced budget in 2017, Decatur will have to address its declining population and revenue as it looks ahead to crafting future budgets.