Washington residents knew they'd have a new mayor this year for the first time since 2001. The question was: Who?
The question was answered in the election Tuesday. Lilija Stevens defeated Mike Brownfield 2,295 to 1,911, or 55% to 45%, in unofficial returns in a race between the two Ward 1 alderpersons on the Washington City Council. Voter turnout for the mayoral race was 38.4%.
Stevens will become the 200-year-old city's first woman mayor when she's sworn in at the May 5 council meeting. Brownfield's term on the council expires this year, so he'll no longer be on the council after that date.
Gary Manier, the longest serving mayor in city history, did not run for re-election after 24 years as Washington's top elected official.
"People wanted a voice in local government, and now they're going to get that voice, get more input into important decisions," said Stevens, who would like to create a citizens advisory committee that would facilitate communication between residents and city staff and elected officials.
One of Stevens' top priorities, she said, is the selection of a new city administrator.
The city has operated without someone overseeing its day-to-day operations since Jim Snider voluntarily stepped down last August. According to the city code, the mayor serves as the interim city administrator when the position is vacant.
"I've heard that some people are worried that I'll be a micromanager when the new city administrator is hired," Stevens said. "That's 100% not true. The city administrator will run the show."
The new city administrator will be Washington's sixth since 2015. Tim Gleason, Richard Downey, Jim Culotta, Ray Forsythe and Snider have served in the position since then and resigned. Each is now employed elsewhere.
Snider was hired in 2021 after serving as the county administrator for Rock Island County since 2018.
His separation agreement with Washington placed him on administrative leave from Aug. 30 through Feb. 3 while receiving his regular pay and benefits plus $100. He received a lump sum payment of $38,579 on Feb. 3.
In exchange for those financial benefits, Snider agreed not to file legal claims against the city, mayor, current and former city council members and staff and others connected to the city. The city noted in the agreement that it didn't act wrongfully against Snider.
Stevens, who lost to Manier 1,557 to 1,479 in the 2021 mayoral election, has been an alderperson since 2019. Brownfield was first elected an alderperson in 2013.
"Although the result of the election was not what I hoped for, I accept the result and hope for the best for Washington's future," Brownfield said.
The city council will have a new look starting next month.
There will be four new members on the eight-member body after someone is appointed to serve the remaining two years of Stevens' term in Ward 1. Stevens will make the appointment with the consent of the council.
This will be the makeup of the new council as of May 5:
- Ward 1: Todd Sluder (elected Tuesday, defeating Paula Johnson 626-538, or 54% to 46%, in unofficial returns)
- Ward 1: Vacant (Stevens' seat)
- Ward 2: Jamie Smith (term expires in 2027)
- Ward 2: Michael Ernst (elected Tuesday; ran unopposed)
- Ward 3: Bobby Martin III (term expires in 2027)
- Ward 3: Brandon Moss (ran unopposed Tuesday as a write-in)
- Ward 4: John Blundy (term expires in 2027)
- Ward 4: Mike McIntyre (re-elected Tuesday; ran unopposed)
"I like the look of the new council," Stevens said. "Different generations are represented."
Veteran alderpersons Brett Adams (Ward 2) and Brian Butler (Ward 3) did not run for re-election.
