The City of Washington approved their 2026 budget with no tax increase. The $15.3 million budget is balanced and was unanimously approved. Mayor JoJo Burgess credited city staff and council for their hard work. In other city business, council approved the Federal Community Development Block Grants for the year. The grant is worth $527,525, the biggest projects being funded are the Washington Park Pool Upper Parking Lot Paving Project for $122,350. Street Paving projects worth $205,175 will see Shannon Street and Erie Street from Ridge Avenue to Pine Street being paved. Also Hallam Avenue to Ridge Avenue will be paved. The City also entered into a licensing agreement with the WashPA Outdoors Co., LLC for the use of a vacant parcel of land behind the Freedom Transit Center as a community garden called Firefly Gardens.