A Mayor and eight Alderman elected from four city wards comprise the legislative body. For over twenty-five years a professional City Administrator has directed operations.
City Government, Taxes, and Services
- The City’s annual budget is approximately $11 million.
- The City provides police and fire protection, 24-hour paramedic service, emergency rescue and ambulance services, water and sewer services, highways and streets, stormwater control, planning, zoning, and economic development.
- Property taxes make up only about 5% of the City’s budget. The City of Washington has become less dependent than ever on property taxes to fund general operations.
- The City’s portion is about 5% of the total property tax bill. The City of Washington’s tax rate is so low that the difference between being within or outside the corporate limits is only about one cent per hundred dollars of assessed valuation.
- Tax caps are in place for other taxing bodies. This essentially keeps property taxes no higher than 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. Taxing bodies require referendums to exceed tax caps. Yet Washington’s public services, including parks, schools, library and other entities, continue to maintain high performance and draw people to Washington.
Planning and Zoning – The City’s first Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1960. Several plans followed, with the most recent plan adopted in April 2001. This ensures the City gives forethought to how and where it develops to ensure the appropriate use of land and the efficient extension streets and utilities. During the four decades since the adoption of the City’s Zoning Ordinance, it has undergone numerous revisions and updates to keep it current with building and development trends. Washington also has an adopted Subdivision Code, which is updated periodically.
Police Protection – Washington consistently
enjoys the lowest or near lowest crime rate in
Central Illinois. Washington has a staff of 19
sworn, full-time police officers, a ratio of about
one officer per 700 citizens. The police depart-
ment also has 17 part-time auxiliary officers,
and mutual aid agreements with surrounding
law enforcement agencies for assistance when
necessary.The Police Department operates
enhanced emergency telephone 911 service
with dispatchers working around the clock every
day of the year to serve an area of nearly eight
square miles.Washington Fire Department and
Rescue Squad has 4 full-time and 9 part-time
employees, and 30 volunteer members.Below is a typical property tax breakdown and rate summary for taxes payable in 2005. Property taxes are eliminated 100% through 2016 (taxes payable in 2017) on all new construction in the Enterprise Zone.
- The City has had full-time advanced life support personnel since 1998, providing 24-hour paramedic service.
- The City’s Fire Insurance Classification is five (5).
Taxing Body
2004 RATE
% OF BILL
Grade School Dist. (avg.*)
2.6523
36.62%
High School 308
2.2700
31.34%
Comm. College 514
0.4853
6.70%
Tazewell County
0.4502
6.22%
Washington Park District
0.4202
5.80%
Washington Corporate
0.3703
5.11%
Wash. Dist. Library
0.1888
2.61%
Wash. Permanent Rd.
0.1559
2.15%
Washington Rd. & Br.
0.1275
1.76%
Washington Twp.
0.1224
1.69%
TOTAL
7.2429
100.00%
*Average tax rate for local grade school districts 50, 51, and 52
Washington’s corporate tax rate is one of the lowest of any city in the area. The Tazewell County Supervisor of Assessments can provide more specific tax rate information for individual properties. The tax rate depends on the districts in which the property is located. For instance, there are three elementary school districts that serve Washington.Public Libraries – There are two public libraries located in Washington, one near the downtown square and one in Sunnyland Plaza. The Washington District Libraries have over 70,000 books and 100 subscriptions to periodicals available at their two locations. Through the Illinois Valley Library system the library has unlimited books and periodicals on any subject imaginable. The Washington District Library recently announced plans for a new library with no tax increase.