Nearly ready to drive the cars in!
Uftring Chevrolet Washington IL
We're so close to being done with the new building, you can almost smell the popcorn! Here's Joe Knapp and Pat from River City Construction with an update.
LAST UPDATE: BOIL ORDER LIFTED AFTER LAB TESTING CONFIRMS WATER SAFETY. (Did you know we have the water downstream of the break tested?)
UPDATE: THE BREAK IS FIXED - ONLY THE 3 PROPERTIES IDENTIFIED ARE UNDER A BOIL ORDER UNTIL 2 PM DECEMBER 13
A break in a cast iron water main along Wilmor Road near the tennis courts will lead to a boil order for the fire house, Five Points, and the Washington Church of Christ after 8 AM today. City workers will wait until after WCHS is in session to begin excavation for the repair.
We will update this post when we have a repair time estimate. Five Points will close at 8 AM.
The City's cast iron water mains were originally installed in the 1920s and account for a disproportionate amount of water main breaks, as should be expected for mains that are nearing a century in the ground.
Public Works is developing long-term cast iron replacement schedules that coordinate with sewer and road work.
Karl Houck
Nice, quick work CoW đź’¦
Thank you for taking care of the citizens of Washington.
IMMEDIATE NOTICE...
There has been a large water main break by Five Points. The city will be shutting off the water at 8am. Due to the water shutdown, we will close at 8am until further notice since our locker rooms, bathrooms and water fountains will be unavailable. Thank you for your understanding!
FIVE POINTS WASHINGTON
We are now open! Thanks for sharing everyone!
Is there a boil order for parts of Washington? I couldn’t find anything on the city webpage.
Wreaths Across America encourages all of us to REMEMBER our fallen U.S. veterans, HONOR those who serve, and TEACH our children the value of freedom.
Here in Washington, simultaneous with 1,400 other locations across the globe, seven local veterans will lay the seven ceremonial wreaths. The Washington Police Department Honor Guard will present the colors.
Patriot Guard Riders, Boy Scouts, and American Heritage Girls from the area will participate and we would love to have your family there, as well.
The ceremony takes place at 11 AM Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Glendale Cemetery (where Candlewood Drive meets Oakwood Lane).
We plan on going and laying wreaths on my dad and uncle's graves.
I wish I could be there for our fathers too. What a great event! That’s what I miss about my hometown!!!
Before you mount a boarding party to dump tea in Bowen Lake, you should know 2 things:
First, there is a Truth in Taxation hearing at the City Council meeting December 10, where the City Council would be happy to hear your input on the proposed property tax levy jump of $114,954.
Second, you should know that Bowen Lake is actually outside the City limits. Just sayin'.
For your taxpaying edification, we've assembled this hopefully helpful FAQ list:
What is this about?
ANS: Each year, cities must declare their intention to collect a certain amount of property tax, called a levy. When the total dollars in the proposed levy are more than 5% greater than the previous year, the city must hold a public meeting.
Egad! Is my total tax bill going up 7.5%?
ANS: No – for City of Washington residents, the City portion of the overall property tax bill averages 5.29%. The proposed increase applies only to that portion of the bill (so from about 5 1/3 cents per tax dollar to about 5 3/4 cents per tax dollar).
What is the change in dollars?
ANS: For the owner of an average $180,000 home, the change is about $19.13 per year.
Is this because of tax and spend, home rule, wasteful government spending?
ANS: The City has historically been conservative in spending. In 1997, before home rule, the City property tax rate was significantly higher than the proposed amount. This year, the proposed change for the owner of a $180,000 home is only $19.13. BUT:
If we restored the 1997 rate, the same homeowner would pay $215.86 more than the proposed change.
Now I feel like a robber baron; shouldn't I pay more?
ANS: No. Property tax makes up 6% - 7% of the City budget.
Well, then, why are my taxes so freaking high?
ANS: No one likes to pay taxes, therefore all taxes are high. Of local property-taxing bodies in the City of Washington, the City itself takes a smaller chunk than all but the Park District and Library in order to help fund services the City provides to residents and visitors.
Local taxing bodies affecting the entire City, listed in descending order by share of your property tax bill, are:
1. Grade School Districts
2. WCHS District 308
3. Tazewell County
4. Illinois Central College
5. Washington Township
6. CITY OF WASHINGTON (5.29%)
7. Washington Park District
8. Washington Library
Well, I still don't like it!
ANS: Sorry, that was not phrased in the form of a question.
All I know is that my taxes have gone up over $2000.00 in the last 10 years. Most of the time when there is some type of increase purposed were always told its only going to be a $20 increase, or this one, the tax will go away after the project is paid off. The taxes keep going up, our streets don't get fixed right, they get a spray tax with gravel thrown on top, and 5 points has expanded along with the person running it has had over 100% increase in their pay.
Are either of you planning to run for office?
I feel like the city uses the funds pretty wisely with a couple of exceptions. One being the planned round-a-bout, the other being the purchase of the land on the North side. I feel like the multiple school districts are the big waste of tax dollars.
Thank you for these answers, this is helpful (and funny at the same time)!
That is a fantastic faq page. When I looked at the budget online, there was a $16 million surplus revenue over debts. I can see it doesn't look like a city hall issue as much as it is a school issue, but I ask aren't taxes levied against citizens in order to provide for the safety, maintenance, and the well being of its citizens not to make profits from its citizens? Exhibit A of private school vs. Public schools my kids went to St.Pats, which I would guess dosen't pay its superintendent $142,000 or have a $6 million budget. When my daughter was in 7th grade she transferred to D 50. She took a standardized test when she got to D 50, and it shows she has a reading level of a college freshman. On the D 50 web site it shows that only 17% of students are considered prepared to go to the next grade. I know a good portion of people want teachers to be social workers, act as parents, and health care workers. All of that is the cultures fault and not the schools. Parrents need to step up. But I think there could be better stewardship of funds in this town. We are in Illinois but we dont have to be of Illinois.
Since it’s only going to raise my taxes $20 you won’t mind paying my share? You’re the best thank you!!
That was very informative. Thanks!
Thank you Lilija. I appreciate your knowledge. J
This topic was first discussed during the Committee of the Whole meeting on November 12th. There was quite a bit of discussion at the November 12th meeting in deciding the amount to be levied. I appreciated hearing Aldermen state information used in making the decision should be shared with the community. At the November 19th City Council meeting, Setting the Tentative 2018 property tax levy was on the agenda. Last Monday the First Reading for Levying Annual 2018 Municipal Property Tax took place. As a person that attends City meetings, I think it’s important for everyone to be informed about this topic that has been on several meeting agendas, so thanks for the humorous overview!
I'm related to Joshua Wythe who was on board throwing tea during Boston Tea Party in case anyone needs tips. LOL www.boston-tea-party.org/account-Joshua-Wyeth.html
Me either.
Can't wait until local elections...
Rick
NO MORE TAXES!! We are being absolutely killed with taxes by the city, county and this state and if you aren't aware that JB Pritzger just won the governorship, we are about to get hit from a million other sides when he takes office. Do you want to drive people out of Washington the way they are leaving IL in droves? Well, you are going to if this doesn't stop. Property taxes are double what they are in a number of other states for comparably valued houses. Why are they able to manage money without hitting people where they literally live? Why don't you consolidate the school districts? Why does a town of 17K need TWO school districts? What are officials actually doing to LOWER spending here?
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