Washington’s City Council took action setting the City’s proposed 2021 tax rate and discussed Halloween at Monday’s scheduled Council meeting.
An ordinance appropriating funds for Washington’s City Budget, and setting the City’s 2021 tax rate keeps the City’s budget basically the same except for a 3% raise for the City’s employees. Mayor David Rhoads says the advertised tax rate is slightly higher than last year’s.
However, The Mayor says that the state cut the advertised rate last year and expects this years advertised rate to be cut too.
The Council then addressed Halloween and trick or treating. Mayor Rhoads said that in light of the pandemic, and the large crowds attracted to limited areas raise several question marks and safety issues in regard to city sponsored safe stops. The Council voted to allow Trick or Treating on Halloween night from 5:30 to 8:00 with the Mayor making the call on city sponsored safe stops after looking at various options.
At the end of the meeting, Mayor Rhoads told the Council that the infrastructure replacement on the Old US 50 project is 48% complete. The Mayor continued to ask anyone driving in the construction zone to be aware of the tight situation, go slow, and look out for workers.
The Board of Public Works and Safety met immediately following the Council meeting and took action setting up Phase III of the Old 50 project. The Board approved a contract with VS Engineering for the S.E. Third to State Street part of the project. Mayor Rhoads said this will allow the right of way acquisition process to begin.
In other business the Board approved a request for Autistic Child warning signs near the intersection of West Main and 10th Streets with the stipulation that if the family moves, they will notify the city so the signs can be removed. A request by Dr. Jeff Schaub for designated patient parking spaces for further investigation. The Board also heard a request for a 4-way stop at N.E. 1st and Flora Streets. After discussing several safety related issues at the intersection, the Board will begin the process of meeting state requirements to determine if a stop sign is needed at the intersection. The Board also asked the City Police Department to take measures to help control excessive speed on N.E. 1st.
