Washington City Council Repeals Pension Tax

Washington City Council took the last step to repeal a tax that has been around since 1984. Council approved the repeal of the tax that raised revenue to defray costs related to the pension plans of the city. The tax amount levied was .02%. That repeal in combination with an earlier pension refinance issue will save approximately $500,000 in pension payments this year. Earlier in the week an audit of fiscal year 2023 showed a revenue decrease of approximately $500,000. Mayor JoJo Burgess was asked if that shortfall would shine a different light on the sale of the City Garage, he flatly stated “No.” He went on to say that council was not going to let news like that sway them into a quick decision that would not be beneficial to the city’s residents. He did say that they are willing to sell the garage, but not under the terms presented earlier by the county. Burgess thanked Finance Director Ken Westcott and his team for their hard work in repealing that tax. In city business, council did approve a motion to bid the revitalization plans for an empty lot at 70 N. Main Street. The revitalization is a partnership with the Washington Business District Authority to create space for food trucks to operate.