Centralia City Hall is located at 118 W. Maple St. in Centralia.
The Centralia City Council voted Tuesday night on an ordinance setting 2020 property tax, voting to forgo the increase with a vote of four to three.
The city can vote to increase its property tax rate by one percent each year without a vote of the people. That 1 percent would increase the 2019 levy ($714,283) by $7,143 making the 2020 levy $721,426. Last year the council adopted the 1 percent hike.
“I’ve been one that has always supported the 1 percent and the reason for that is very obvious, that if you do not opt for the one percent then you are that much further behind inflation,” said Mayor Lee Coumbs. “I think it would be an error to adopt the zero percent.”
Councilor Peter Abbarno disagreed with the mayor.
“I think that we have passed a balanced budget,” he said. “Every amendment that has been shown to this council has shown increased revenue. We don’t need to increase taxes. It sends a bad message.”
When put to a vote, Councilors Abbarno, Susan Luond, Cameron McGee, and Joyce Barnes voted for a zero percent increase and Coumbs and Councilors Max Vogt and Rebecca Staebler voted against the motion.
