Council approves resolution asking auditor to consider volunteer fire department parcel tax-exempt

The Belpre City Council on first, second and third readings approved a resolution asking the Washington County Auditor to determine whether parcel number 08-0036676.640, owned by the Belpre Volunteer Fire Department Inc., should be treated as tax-exempt.

Councilmember Seabaugh moved to suspend the usual three-reading rule and pursue second and third readings immediately; the council then voted to adopt the resolution as Resolution No. 22. Multiple councilmembers recorded “aye” votes during the roll calls that followed.

The measure directs the mayor to request a formal determination from the Washington County Auditor about the parcel’s tax status; the resolution text names the parcel and the property owner but does not itself change the parcel’s tax classification. The resolution was recorded as passed by voice vote.

Council did not include in the resolution a citation to a specific state statute or exemption category; the motion and passage request follow the auditor’s administrative determination rather than automatic local reclassification. No estimates of tax impact, assessed value or a timeline for the auditor’s response were provided during the meeting.

The item was introduced and discussed as part of new business. Councilmember Seabaugh moved the suspension of rules to advance the resolution, and the motion to adopt was called and carried. The mayor is authorized to transmit the request to the Washington County Auditor for a determination.

The council also assigned a resolution number and recorded the roll-call ayes that led to adoption. The resolution’s final administrative effect depends on the county auditor’s review and determination.