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Council approves tax-rate amendment, traffic-signal agreement, police cruisers and downtown grant pilot
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Summary
At its Feb. 25 meeting, the Washington Court House City Council passed several ordinances and resolutions, including a tax-rate amendment, a cooperative agreement with ODOT for traffic signals, purchase of two police cruisers, and a pilot downtown building-grant program; most roll-call votes were unanimous.
The Washington Court House City Council on Feb. 25 moved forward on a slate of ordinances and resolutions affecting tax policy, transportation, public safety and downtown building grants.
Council placed Ordinance 2-2026 (an amendment to codified ordinance section 1.10.012 on tax-rate purpose) on third reading and moved to pass it; a roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes and the ordinance was adopted. Ordinance 3-2026 — a second amendment to the Jefferson Township–Washington Courthouse Joint Economic Development District agreement to include additional property — was placed on second reading.
On transportation, the council placed Resolution R7-2026 on second reading. That resolution authorizes the city manager to enter a cooperative agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) related to traffic signals along US 62 and US 22 (PID 123017); council discussion noted an effective date in 2027.
On public-safety and fleet needs, Resolution R8-2026 (authorizing the city manager to purchase two Dodge Durango cruisers for the police department) was moved for adoption, seconded and adopted on a roll-call vote.
Council also adopted Resolution R9-2026, establishing a pilot downtown building infrastructure/weatherproofing/mechanical-systems grant program; the resolution text includes a $100,000 cap, with council members noting that the cap could be amended if additional funds are found. Resolution R10-2026, which adopts overlays and an economic development plan for the proposed Smith Grove incentive districts and provides required notice under Ohio Revised Code section 5709.4(c), was likewise adopted following roll call.
Several items were advanced on first reading, including Ordinance 4-2026 and Ordinance 5-2026 (both related to the Washington Courthouse New Community Authority), and Resolutions R11-2026 and R12-2026 (short- and long-term farmland rent contracts for city-owned property). The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn was approved.
Council recorded affirmative roll-call votes for the adopted items; where roll calls were recorded the votes were unanimous on the record. For detailed outcomes and next steps, staff were directed to proceed with implementation tasks noted in the relevant resolutions.
Actions at a glance: Ordinance 2-2026 — adopted; Ordinance 3-2026 — placed on second reading; Resolution R7-2026 — placed on second reading; Resolution R8-2026 — adopted (police cruisers); Resolution R9-2026 — adopted (downtown grant pilot, $100,000 cap noted); Resolution R10-2026 — adopted (Smith Grove overlays/incentives); Ordinances 4-2026 and 5-2026 — placed on first reading; Resolutions R11-2026 and R12-2026 — placed on first reading (farmland rent contracts).
Council did not record any roll-call no votes in the transcripted portions; items without final votes were advanced to the next reading or scheduled for required hearings.
