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Raising the property tax levy and how to use those funds was discussed during the Washington City Council meeting Tuesday.

Following the council’s directive to propose a levy increase on January 25th, City Finance Director Kelsey Brown proposed if they increase the general insurance and employee benefits portion of the levy as high as they can go, the city would be looking at an overall tax rate increase of about $.42 from the current tax rate to about $15.64 per $1,000 of valuated property for fiscal year 2023. She presented this would be a year-end increase of $22.48 for property owners with lands valued at $100,000, $44.97 for $200,000, and $67.45 for $300,000. This would also increase the balance in the general fund to $91,610 instead of $43,641 with the static rate. Of three options the council could choose to keep the levy dollars in the general fund which could help pay off the city hall building debt and go toward the capital improvement plan and maintenance. The other options would be to use the funds for general fund expenses that Brown was not able to budget such as replacing the 20-year-old sand filters at the aquatic center, or use the funds towards employee wages, for which the city has built-in raises and union negotiations scheduled for March 9th. Mayor Jaron Rosien gave preference to option one, “Using that levy to leave in the general fund that ultimately goes to build that capital equipment purchase and building maintenance plan is what we were talking about. The ability to maneuver for surprises is most covered in option one.”

No action was required at Tuesday’s meeting, as Brown explained that they can push their budget public hearing from March 1st to the 15th, while the deadline to submit is March 31st. If approved, the new tax rate would be higher than it has been in four years, though lower than the $15.82 rate from fiscal year 2018.