The City of Washington has upped the ante in vying for a $1.4 million Vision Iowa Grant. Last night, the city council approved increasing its contribution to $50,000 from $15,000 to show more local support for the new auditorium project. A 28E agreement was also approved, which will ensure citizens have the ability to use the facility once it is complete.
The measure passed on a 4 to 2 vote, council member Kathryn Salazar stated it is a wonderful partnership and she has not heard a negative comment. The auditorium committee next meets with the Vision Iowa board on June 11th.
In April, the residents of Washington School District approved a $1.1 million bond issue for the first time in decades. With 866 voters supporting the measure and 397 in opposition, 69% of the votes supported the bond, which will help fund the $7 million auditorium project. The bond will be over seven years at 40-cents per $1,000 and the tax rate will be $14.45.