Washington, Mo., council approves 2025 property tax levy and library rate

The Washington, Missouri City Council on Aug. 25, 2025 approved an ordinance establishing the citys 2025 property tax levy and the library district levy after a public hearing and without public comment.

City staff, identified in the meeting as Tammy, told the council the citys assessed valuation for the proposed 2025 tax year is $471,000,000, up from about $434,000,000 the prior year. Staff said the permitted general operating levy for 2025 will remain at 0.5687 per $100 of assessed valuation under Missouri statute and noted the change in assessed value would yield about $212,000 in additional revenue, of which roughly $14,000,000 is attributable to new construction or annexed real estate. For the library district, staff reported a proposed levy of about 0.181890 per $100 on an assessed valuation of $180,000,000 (prior year: $167,000,000), estimating about $13,000 in additional revenue and about $1,300,000 in new construction value.

Tammy summarized the numbers for the record: "So based on Missouri State statute, the permitted 2025 tax levy for the general operating levy for the city of Washington is gonna be the same as last year, 0.5687 per 100 dollars of assessed valuation," and explained the revenue changes tied to new construction.

With no members of the public coming forward during the hearing, the council moved on to routine business. Councilmember Holtmeyer introduced the ordinance levying the 2025 taxes; the item proceeded to second reading and a roll-call vote. The roll call recorded affirmative responses in sequence (as read for the record): Peltzil: Yes; Baer: Yes; Solentra/Solentraff: Yes; Heydrich: Aye; Patke: Yes; Coulter: Yes; Holt Meyer/Holtmeyer: Aye. The presiding official declared, "By your vote, the ordinance passes."

Earlier in the meeting the council approved the agenda and accepted minutes (motions were made and passed by voice vote). The mayor provided scheduling reminders about upcoming meetings, including a Sept. 2 meeting due to the holiday and an adjusted September schedule because of the Missouri Municipal League Conference. The council adjourned after a motion that carried on a voice vote.

The ordinance places the city and library levies on the record under Missouri statutory limits; the staff presentation and the council vote complete the statutory public hearing and adoption process. No amendments were proposed during the meeting and no public comments were recorded.