Washington’s City Council had a short-handed meeting, with Councilmen Lunsford and Emmons being unable to attend.
Prior to the meeting, a public hearing was held on the proposed ordinance to appropriate restricted Opiod Settlement money distributed by the state. The funds are restricted as to how they can be used. The City of Washington proposed joining Daviess County in appropriating the restricted funds to the IRACS program operations out of the Security Center. The second hearing was to consider a proposed general obligation bond. When questioned about its intended use, Mayor Rhoads explained that the funds could be used for the city’s share of the US 50 project. Bids for that project will not be opened until November 15.
In its regular business, the Council passed the ordinance appropriating the restricted Opiod Settlement funds to IRACS. The Council then passed the ordinance establishing the city budget and tax rate for 2024. The vote was four in favor, with Councilman Ken Showalter abstaining. However, the ordinance authorizing a bond for road or construction projects only received three favorable votes, with Showalter and Councilman Doug Campton opposed. Since the proposed ordinance was not defeated but did not receive the needed four votes for passage, it was tabled.
The Council also tabled a proposal to re-zone a property in the Hillside Drive subdivision from single-family residential to commercial C-1. Councilman Showalter had questions about adding stipulations to the rezone request. There were also questions about how a neighborhood covenant restriction restricting the subdivision to only residences would affect the rezone. City Attorney Tim Dant will look into the situation.
The Council also heard a report from Amber Werden and Cindy Barber on the success of the Discover Downtown Washington Facade Grant Program.
At the end of the council meeting, Sam Quast announced that the City of Washington will hold a drive-thru drug toss this Saturday at Eastside Park. Quast said wPD officers will be there to collect unused drugs, and Park Superintendent Kip Kelly reminded everyone about the Halloween Safe Stop at Eastside Park. Following the meeting, Mayor David Rhoads gave WAMW more details on both events.
After the council meeting, the Board of Works and Safety met. The Board heard a report from Scott Siple with Midwestern Engineers. Siple discussed the need for a study to determine how to address continuing problems at the current Waste Water Treatment Plant and to look into a potential treatment plant on Washington’s east side to take stress off the current plant and provide needed capacity for Washington’s growth on the east side and toward Interstate 69. The Board also approved contracts with nine organizations and Daviess County for services provided to the city and its residents.
The next City Council and Board of Works meetings are scheduled for November 13.
