City raises real estate taxes by 1/2 mill
City of Washington residents will see an increase in their real estate tax for the first time since 2010.
Mayor and council voted Tuesday to increase the building-only real estate tax from 1.59 mills to 2.08 mills.
The increase will generate about $214,000 in revenue, the potential loss in real estate assessment appeals, Mayor Scott Putnam said.
Approximately 1,000 assessment appeals were filed countywide with Common Pleas Court, but those cases could take months to be decided.
“I understand we need to be responsible fiscally as we move into the new year in light of the reassessments,” said Councilman Joe Manning. “However, I feel the city’s in a unique position to sort of take the lead and be a community that does not amend its taxes until we see exactly how the reassessment’s going to play out.”
Manning and Tracie Graham voted against the tax increase while Putnam, Monda Williams and Ken Westcott voted in favor.
A revenue-neutral 2017 budget passed Dec. 8, based on $142 million in land-market value and $427 million in buildings. Council did not change the 32.71 millage on land.
The city is the only municipality in Washington County with a two-rate property tax system.
“It’s something we need to do to protect ourselves from the unknown,” Putnam said of the increase.
The next regular meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 9. The agenda meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 6.