Washington City Council hired their new city administrator. Richard Cleveland has been appointed to the position that is being vacated by Donn Henderson next month. Cleveland will begin work with the city on March 18 and his salary will be $74,000. According to Mayor JoJo Burgess, Cleveland brings a wealth of experience to the city from the private sector as he performed work for several municipalities in Washington and Greene Counties. There will be an approximate 30 day overlap with Henderson to allow Cleveland to get on his feet quickly. As anticipated council adopted changes to the property maintenance ordinance adopting the 2021 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code. They also adopted changes to the quality of life ordinance raising the $25 dollar fine to $50 to cover increased costs of enforcement. At the end of the meeting, Mayor JoJo Burgess made a statement that asks all residents to treat city employees with respect. He indicated that a recent event alarmed an employee when a resident became irate with them over a policy enacted by council. Burgess simply stated that if a resident has a complaint about policy or law, come to the mayor and council. City employees only perform the tasks assigned. The argument that you have belongs between the residents and council and employees are not to receive the thrust of frustration over something they had no control over implementing.