Tax collection up and high grass a topic at Wed, meeting
The Washington City Council met Wednesday night & heard several reports from several departments & passed several pieces on legislation.
Tom Riley, City Director of Finances reported that city income tax collections were ahead 5% over last year at this time. Riley added that the gasoline tax collection was also up about $300 over last year, but that since the first 4 months of 2011 had dropped from first four months in 2010 the slight increase still had not made it back up to the level that the city had collected in 2009.
Riley also reported that the water & sewer collections were right on schedule as the city projected, but the city will have to watch to see if that keeps up especially with hotter months ahead & to follow to see if the revenue in those departments will match the demand from city residents.
City Attorney Mark Pitstick reported that the city crackdown continues on residences that are allowing high grass to grow without land owners mowing them. City has mowed over the last several weeks a high rate of yards & the city is leveling a $250 charge to land owners for the mowing work on their properties. Legal action will be taken if those fees aren't paid.
Council Chairman Steve Jennings read City Manager Joe Denen report in his absence & it included reminders of Memorial Day weekend activities including the annual ceremonies at the Old Washington Cemetery off of South Hinde Street this Friday at 3pm & at the current Washington Cemetery Monday at 10am.
The council passed on third reading an ordnance that approves the final draft amending the Solid Waste Management plan of the Ross,Pickaway, Highland, Fayette Joint Solid Waste Management District.
Council also adopted on 2nd reading resolutions that authorized the city manager to file an application to the State of Ohio to participate in the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program (Formula) and to accept the grant if funded, authorize City Manger Joe Denen to enter into an agreement with ODOT for the purchase of bulk highway rock salt for the upcoming winter & to express the council appreciation to the students that attended the student council meeting that was held May 15th at Bellaire School.
