No Tax Increase In Proposed City Budget

Washington City Council returned to virtual meetings due to coronavirus concerns at City Hall. On Thursday Council previewed the 2021 budget. The budget as currently proposed is not a balanced budget. Deputy Finance Officer Susan Koehler indicates that there is a $229,000 shortfall. Council is fully confident that they will be able to work out the deficit to present a balanced budget that contains no tax increase in time to adopt it in December. Most of the shortfall comes from contractual obligations and extremely conservative budgeting due to shortfalls in revenue from the Covid-19 pandemic. Some discussion was held about the scheduling of meetings in the upcoming year. Mayor Scott Putnam is looking to make all meetings evening meetings. Councilman Joe Manning thinks having four afternoon meetings a year allows for people who are not available at night to attend. More discussion will be held before any final schedule will be adopted.