Washington’s City Council met Tuesday evening after Columbus Day fell on the usual Monday meeting date. The Council approved a transfer between accounts in the mayor’s budget to pay for painting and carpeting the office and Council Chambers. The Council also passed an ordinance setting the city’s budget and tax rate for 2025. The ordinance still must receive state approval. The Council also heard the first reading of a proposed ordinance that would change the zoning of property at 2105 E. National Highway from suburban residential to C2-general business. In other business, the Council tabled a request from Triple S Developers to declare the area of a proposed expansion of Cherry Tree Courts an Economic Revitalization Area along with a request for tax abatement. However, the abatement schedule had not been officially filed and was not attached to the request. There were also no representatives from Triple S present to answer several questions Council members had about the request.
The Council also expressed concern about the Daviess County Economic Development Commission’s request for $84,000. While this is the city’s normal funding for the DCEDC, several council members expressed concern about a perceived change in the DCEDC mission, especially adding the Visitor’s Bureau to its mix of responsibilities. The Council also expressed concern about the lack of communications and updates from the staff at the DCEDC. At the end of the meeting, Mayor Rhoads gave an update on the East National Highway reconstruction. The mayor said the work crews are laying asphalt between E. Fifth and Mill Street. Contractors say that section should be open to traffic by October 25. Work between Mill Street and State Road 257 should be completed by the end of the year.
The mayor also said the official ribbon cutting on the Washington Commoms is scheduled for 10 a.m. on October 25. The project is still waiting on state approval of some areas before the city officially takes control of the Commons. The RSVP offices at Eastside Park will be in charge of booking use of the Commons once the city takes over. The mayor also reminded everyone that the city’s Halloween Safe Stop is scheduled for Eastside Park on October 31.
