Washington’s City Council sent a message to the state legislators at Monday’s City Council meeting. The council expressed concerns about multiple ideas floating around the General Assembly regarding property taxes. In Indiana, property taxes are the main support of local and county governments. Under proposals in Senate Bill 1, Washington would lose $300,000 next year. These funds support local police and fire protection along with funds for street repair. Another concern of local officials is that some ideas floating around the state legislature would require local governments to replace lost property tax funding by imposing local income taxes or local wheel taxes. Washington’s resolution asks the state legislature to take into consideration the potential cuts to public services the cuts would require and to provide equitable solutions, both for individual taxpayers and businesses.
In regular business, the council approved a resolution to transfer $400,000 from the EDIT fund to an account for payment for the city’s portion of the Commons Project. The council also passed a state-required ordinance setting up a special fund for unclaimed transactions.
The city clerk-treasurer also complied with state requirements and presented the council with the 2024 TIF Management Redevelopment Report. The report listed all parcels in TIF districts.
In other business, the council discussed the special meeting held on the rental property safety ordinance. The council was pleased with the meeting and talked about how to move forward on the proposed ordinance.
The city has also scheduled a public meeting for 6 pm this evening to discuss the work on the final phase of the old U.S. 50 renovation project. Mayor Rhoads had this to say.
Again, the public meeting on the final phase of the old Highway 50 renovation project will be held tonight at 6:00 pm at the Eastside Park Community Building. The meeting is especially for residents and businesses on the section of Business 50 between State Road 257 and the State Street fork, but the public is welcome.
