The 2025 City Budget was the main order of business for Washington’s City Council at Monday night’s meeting. The Council began with a public hearing appropriating funds from the city’s Go-Bond. In the regular meeting, the Council passed ordinances appropriating those funds and the city’s remaining ARPA funds from the state and federal governments. The Council also heard the first reading of three ordinances setting the 2025 wages for city workers, police officers, firefighters, and elected and appointed officials. According to Mayor David Rhoads, the proposed budget will give city employees, police, and firefighters approximately a 4.5% raise for next year. The ordinances will be up for passage at the next council meeting. The Council also heard the introduction of an ordinance that would change the zoning of the 10 acres of the old Tokheim property on Front Street. The proposal from the Plan Commission would rezone the property from industrial to R3 multi-family residence. Councilman Doug Campton questioned the R3 designation and asked if the designation of the area for single-family housing might be more appropriate. Gary Donaldson, a resident of the Front Street area, also questioned the R3 designation. The proposed change comes with strict language regulations for the development of the area that would have to meet the approval of the Council. Also, no development can begin without the Indiana Department of Developmental Management signing off on the environmental aspects of the property. At the end of the meeting, Mayor Rhoads reminded everyone that the city offices will be closed on Labor Day, September 2. There will be no trash pickup, and the recycling center will be closed on Saturday, August 31, as well as Labor Day.
