The Washington City Council met for the final time, in what Mayor David Rhoads called “a crazy year”. The Council passed three resolutions allowing end-of-the-year fund transfers within the Park and Street Department budgets. The funds in the Parks Department will be used for operating supplies and the funds in the Street Department will be used to pay bills resulting from repairs needed after the fire in the Street Department Building. The Council also approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of 501 S. Meridian as part of the redesign of the old U.S. 50/Meridian Street intersection. Council members also passed a resolution addressing COVID-19 overtime pay as suggested by the State Board of Accounts.
In other action, the Council passed an ordinance setting up a fund to receive $250,000 from the state through the Federal Cares Act for small business relief. The fund will be administered by the Daviess County Redevelopment Commission. The Council also herd the first reading of an ordinance that would establish special funds to receive federal grant funds for the purchase of a new City bus.
At the end of the meeting the Council approved the appointments of Anita Ash to the Daviess Count Economic Development Commission, Tom Tucker and Rick Powers to the Washington Redevelopment Commission, and Randy Emmons as the Council representative on the Downtown Design Review Committee.
Mayor Rhoads also reported on the old U.S. 50 project. The Mayor said the work on the water line is 100% complete, and work on the sewer line is 87% complete. Work on the south side curbs is nearing completion, and work will soon begin on the north. The Mayor also said that paving will begin in April, and should be completed before May. The next Council meeting will be the second Monday in January.
