Washington City Boilers

Recently the Washington City Mayor and Council met on-site at the Washington City Boilers to discuss future options for this unique feature and ecosystem. The Boilers are a natural hotspring located between I-15 and Buena Vista Parkway. This "old swimming hole" has been a rich part of the history of our community. The Mayor and Council met to evaluate its current condition and discuss future options to preserve and enhance this wonderful gem of our community.

Christmas in Dixie

By Guest Writer Shannon Hinman stgeorgemom.com

Every year my family and I have attended the Christmas in Dixie Annual Tree Lighting in Washington City at Nisson Park. We have lived in Washington City for over 4 years now and this event has become a family tradition. We enjoy listening to the local school choirs and then watching the giant tree light up. We warm ourselves with hot chocolate and treats. To top it all off, Santa Clause visits. I love the look on my kids' faces when they see him and his helping elves. I feel thankful to live in an area that has everything I could ask for including a small town feel.

Christmas in Dixie 2012 Tree Lighting is Monday Nov 26 at 6pm.

Christmas Tree Lighting 2011

Christmas Tree Lighting 2010

Agricultural Business Zone

Recently the Washington City Council and Planning Commission approved the creation of an "agricultural business zone". This discussion and idea has been developing for some time. The request to create this zone was presented to the city by Sherrie Reeder, representing Staheli Farms. The purpose of this zone is to allow farmers to develop and use their lands beyond traditional agricultural uses. Allowing farmers to develop business options for their land, beyond the normal uses, gives them additional economic incentives to keep these farms functioning and maintains the open spaces found in our community. Some additional uses of the farms in our community have included: petting farms, sports parks, youth conferences, concerts, farm camps, and holiday events. We are excited about this new concept in our community and the benefits it will bring.

Annual Budget Report

Throughout the course of a year, Washington City produces a lot of reports and studies that could almost be overwhelming to one interested in an overall understanding of how the city is doing. For those individuals in our community who have an interest in knowing how the city is doing financially, the goals of departments, strategic plans, construction plans for this year and into the future and how we are performing, I would like to refer you to our *Annual Budget Report*. This award-winning report is a "one stop" location to get a good feel of what we do in the city and how we are doing it. It is written with you-the citizens-in mind and I think you will find it understandable and a good communication tool. It is lengthy because it encompasses many other independently printed reports. If you have a chance to look through this document and have some suggestions please let us know.

These City Financial documents can be found at washingtoncity.org/finance

-Roger Carter, City Manager.

Quarterly Investment Report Presented to Council

At the September 26th Council meeting, the Washington City Council reviewed the quarterly investment report from the City Treasurer's office. In early 2012 the Washington City Council approved an investment policy and directed the Treasurer to invest city funds in public investment tools that ensured safety, allowed for liquidity and maximized the investment return on these funds. The Treasurer reported a gain on investment of over $200,000 in interest earnings this year compared to what would have been an investment pool yield of $70,000. These funds are primarily located in U.S. Treasury
Securities.

Mayor and Council Review Intersection Design

The Mayor and members of the Washington City Council took advantage of a break at recent meetings in Salt Lake City to meet with UDOT on intersection design. The Mayor and council reviewed a road and traffic concept at 106th South that is being proposed as a possible solution for the intersection at Green Spring and Telegraph Street. It was very informative and will be a concept that will be presented, along with others, to the public in the near future

Covington Home

Covington Mansion 1940s

Happy Cotton Days everyone! This, of course is the week that we celebrate our heritage in Washington City. Over 150 years ago, the city of Washington was founded. What a great week this will be, to honor our heritage, marvel at how far we have come, and ponder upon our future. I hope you will all take advantage of the events of this week. For a complete list of events please look at the schedule located at
www.cottondays.org.

There is probably not a better week to formally announce the acquisition, by the city, of the historic Robert Covington Home. This home, located at approximately 200 North and 200 East, is the oldest home in Washington County and is a historic landmark to our city.

Robert Dockery Covington was called by Brigham Young to lead one of two parties to southwest Utah to investigate the ability to grow Cotton. Their arrival in April of 1857 marked the beginning of the Cotton Mission and the establishment of Washington City. The stories of these early settlers is both frustrating and inspiring as they scratched out their existence in this hot desert climate. In 1859, the Covington Mansion was built and became not only the home for Robert’s family but the first social center for the community. In the upper floor of this house was held political activities, dances, social events and church meetings. This residence became the heart and soul of this early community. (for more information on this home go to http://www.wchsutah.org/homes/covington-mansion.php)

After being on the market for some time and having suffered the fate of a down economy, Washington City was able to purchase this home at a foreclosure sale. We are very excited to bring this true gem of a site into the protective hands of the community. Over the course of the next few years we will restore this beautiful residence and open it up to our citizens. In the meantime, feel free to drive by, stop and walk the
grounds. As you stand under those majestic pecan trees and look at that stately mansion, you will be filled with a strong spirit of our history and pride in the community we have become.

Covington Home 2012