DECATUR - The city council installed Ryan McCrady as the new city manager Monday after a months-long search to replace retiring city manager Steve Garman.

McCrady, 38, formerly the Sangamon County administrator, will begin serving in his new capacity on Oct. 20.

McCrady will take over the job of managing the city's more than $100 million annual budget and overseeing the various city departments from interim city manager John A. Smith, who took over after Garman resigned May 2.

The council also heard a report from an architectural firm on options for a new $23 million police facility.

Jim Matarelli of PSA Dewberry presented options for a new police department building to the council that included a two-floor building or a four-floor building, to be built across from the existing Law Enforcement Center on Water Street.

Both plans would accommodate about 68,000 square feet of space, with expanded offices and locker rooms for the growing police department and more on-site parking for visitors and staff.

"The hope would be that, based on our program analysis, this would take you well into the future," Matarelli said.

The $23 million estimated price tag includes contingency costs and a $3 million parking deck, but does not include the cost of buying the land in question. Assistant City Manager Greg Crowe told the council the land could cost $820,000.

Councilman Larry Foster spoke out in support of the plan.

"I want to go on record that I support providing our police department with the 68,000 square feet that this report documents that the police need," Foster said. "I also want to see this council make a sound decision to provide a modern facility that can be used for 50 to 100 years and that also provides for future growth."

A major problem council members had with the plan was the cost and the method of paying for it. Smith said one plan to pay the bill would be to issue bonds.

"In our economic times, we need a better plan to pay for this building," Councilwoman Betsy Stockard said.