Dec 9, 2023 By Paul Paterra 2 min read

Washington council adopted a $15,093,936 budget for 2024 at its meeting Thursday that calls for no tax increase.

Millage in the city will be levied at 38.71 mills for land and 4.03 for buildings. Those rates have been in place since 2019.

Council also declared eight city properties as public nuisances and authorized their release to the redevelopment authority for demolition.

The properties are: 989 Arch St., 45 Burton Ave., 493 Ewing St., 475 Ewing St, 352 S. Main St., 916 Addison St., 23 Gibson Ave. and 801½ E. Maiden St.

A demolition hearing was held concerning the properties before Thursday’s council meeting.

Also approved by council is the retirement of police Chief Daniel Rush, which takes effect Jan. 1. Rush is retiring after 22 years of service.

“Chief Rush has been a solid man in our department and a great chief for the last two years,” said Mayor Scott Putman.

Thursday’s meeting marked the last as mayor for Putnam, who was defeated in the primary by JoJo Burgess, who went on to win the seat in the November election.

“It’s been a great honor to be the mayor of the city, and I just hope that the next administration continues putting in the hard work that we have and continues to grow the city,” Putnam said.

Burgess will assume his duties at the reorganization meeting, scheduled for noon Jan. 2.