Washington City Council met Monday

(DLC MEDIA)   Washington area electric customers will see lower electric bills and the City looks to expand after action taken by Washington’s City Council at Monday night’s meeting.

Following public hearings Council members adopted ordinances setting rates for LED lighting and adopting phase-in rates for large commercial customers.  Mayor Joe Wellman was happy about the rate reductions…

The phase-in rate will be financed by the Indiana Municipal Power Association.

In other action by the council…they introduced an ordinance to annex 25.6 acres after the land owners petitioned the City for annexation.

Mayor Wellman says the annexation is great for the City…

Also at last night’s meeting,  the members of Washington’s Police and Fire Departments presented wage requests.

Representing the Fire Department, veteran Firefighter Chris Clymer said the firemen were asking for a 5% or a 67 cent per hour raise.  Clymer also requested that the Council consider a certification pay allowance for the members of the WFD state-qualified for Rope and Confined Space rescue.  Clymer noted that most of the team has put in a lot of their own time and money to benefit the department.

The Police Department was represented by Officer Case Cummins.  Like the firefighters the police officers requested a 5% pay raise.  The WPD also requested the Council consider raising the limit on comp time from 40 to 60 hours.   Both departments told the Council that it was important to maintain salaries comparable to other communities to keep trained members with Washington’s safety departments.

Prior to the Council meeting, Mayor Wellman introduced Patrolman Hugo Mandujano Guiijosa as the City’s newest police officer.

Hugo Mandujano Guiijosa