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Washington council candidates talk infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and listening
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WASHINGTON — With century-old sewers to fix, tighter state tax limits ahead, and residents eager to be heard, Washington’s city council candidates told voters Wednesday night they’ll focus on the basics — roads that hold up, budgets that balance, and communication that works both ways.
Those priorities dominated a lively “Meet the Candidates” forum in the upper room of the Washington Public Library, where residents filled the space hear from contenders for the Nov. 4 city election and submit a few of their own questions. The Washington Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, moderated by Chamber Director Michelle Redlinger, who mixed pre-submitted questions with audience input on issues ranging from infrastructure and housing to transparency and city spending.
Ward 4: Stigers and Carroll emphasize transparency and basics
The Ward 4 race drew sharp but respectful contrasts between incumbent Francis L. “Fran” Stigers and challenger Susan Carroll, a former city clerk.
Stigers, who has served multiple terms on the council, said he’s focused on keeping the city “living within its means.” He pointed to steady progress on sewer and street repairs, noting that “wants aren’t needs” when dollars are tight.
“We have to stay disciplined,” he said. “It’s better to do a few things well than to start 10 and finish none.”
Carroll, who served as Brighton’s city clerk for several years, agreed that careful spending is necessary but said the city also needs to plan further ahead and explain those decisions more clearly to residents.
She said she often hears frustration from people who don’t understand why certain projects move forward while others wait.
“People want to know where their money is going and why,” she said. “It’s not enough to just say, ‘We can’t afford it.’ We have to help them see the reasoning.”
She added that better long-term planning and communication could ease some of that tension.
“When people feel informed, they’re more likely to support what the city is trying to do,” Carroll said, noting that public trust depends as much on openness as on balanced budgets.
That topic of improved communication came up multiple times during the forum and Stiger’s addressed it by reminding residents that information is already available online.
“It’s all there,” he said. “The city’s website, the newsletter, that’s where the information is. We just need to make better use of what’s already available.”
Carroll added that not everyone knows where to look and her previous experience could help her assist residents in navigating those resources.
For Carroll, her focus remains on problem-solving and customer service as she campaigns for a spot-on the Washington City Council.
“I’m not a politician,” she said. “I’m a solutions person.”
Stigers, on the other hand, says he would like to see the solutions he has already set in motion come to fruition. With much of the city’s infrastructure work now underway beginning several years ago, he feels continuity on the council matters.
“We’ve started a lot of projects, and I’d like to see them finished,” he said.
Both candidates said infrastructure remains the top concern in Ward 4, which includes older neighborhoods where stormwater and street repair are frequent issues.
At-Large: Moore, Howard, and Hoyle focus on connection and priorities
In the citywide at-large race, incumbent Elaine C. Moore is running against Gary Steven Howard and Douglas Hoyle. The three agreed that communication gaps between City Hall and residents remain one of Washington’s biggest challenges.
Moore, first elected in 2015, said she tries to be approachable and transparent.
Moore said she’s always willing to talk with residents, whether at a council meeting or when she’s stopped in public.
“Every decision has a ripple effect,” she said. “Listening first is the most important part of serving.”
Moore highlighted ongoing work on long-range planning and budgeting, noting that the city is balancing several large capital projects with limits imposed by new state property-tax legislation.
Howard, a lifelong Washington resident, said he entered the race to help residents understand what the council can and can’t control.
“There’s no ‘Steve Howard agenda,’” he said. “I just want to make sure people have facts before opinions.”
He pointed to the federal grant that required lane changes, the so-called “road diet,” on Washington Street as an example of how outside funding can shape local outcomes.
“When you take federal money, the feds set conditions,” he said. “We need to explain that better.”
Hoyle, who has worked in construction and community projects, said he wants to bring a practical perspective to city priorities.
“If we don’t keep up with maintenance, costs multiply later,” he said.
All three supported addressing affordable housing shortages. Moore said housing isn’t just a private-market issue but one that affects schools, employers, and quality of life.
Stigers, speaking earlier, had linked housing to child care and workforce needs, and Moore agreed that “livability,” from safe parks to functioning infrastructure, shapes whether families choose to stay in Washington.
Shared concerns: Infrastructure and budgets
Audience questions centered heavily on aging infrastructure, including the city’s century-old brick sewer main running from East Second Street to the wastewater treatment plant, and the potential for federal or state assistance.
Candidates largely agreed the work is overdue but stressed planning and financing.
Hoyle said that kind of upkeep isn’t glamorous but is critical to avoid higher costs later. He noted that underground systems rarely draw attention until they fail — and by then, the fixes are far more expensive.
“It’s one of those things no one sees until it fails,” he said, urging the city to keep steady maintenance in its budgets rather than waiting for emergencies.
Stigers offered the insight of a current council member stating that the council has already begun prioritizing sewer lining and camera inspections to guide future budgets. Moore noted that North 12th Street is also slated for repair in coming years.
Residents also asked about grants, tax increment financing (TIF), and the impact of property-tax reforms passed by the state legislature.
Moore and Stigers emphasized using grants from local and private sources — including Wellmark, Main Street, and theWashington County Riverboat Foundation — to offset costs.
As individuals that have yet to serve on the city council, Carroll and Howard both said they would seek staff training to understand TIF better if elected.
With budget restraints as a common theme throughout the evening, Moore reminded the audience, “You can’t fix everything at once. We have to balance need with what’s possible.”
Unopposed candidates stress continuity and collaboration
While the contested races drew most of the debate, two candidates will appear unopposed on the ballot.
Mayor Millie Youngquist said her focus remains on infrastructure and communication.
“We’ve made big strides,” she said, citing the South 12th Street intersection project, South Avenue B resurfacing, and new restrooms at Central Park and Wellness Park.
Youngquist said she’s worked to make the city more accessible through open office hours, radio updates, and the addition of a community service officer to address nuisance complaints.
Ward 2 candidate Jennine Wolf, a retired city environmental department director, said she hopes to continue her public service as council member.
“I’ve seen firsthand how city departments work together,” she said. “I want to be part of that collaboration.”
Throughout the evening, Redinger drew questions from the audience ranging from park amenities to communication breakdowns. Several residents asked how candidates would handle complaints or misinformation online. Carroll said she would respond directly and calmly; Hoyle and Howard agreed that respectful dialogue is key.
As the night ended, candidates urged continued engagement after Election Day.
“Communication has to go both ways,” Moore said. “We can’t solve problems we don’t hear about.”
Polls will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4. Wards 1 and 2 vote at the YMCA, and Wards 3 and 4 at the United Presbyterian Home. Absentee voting continues through Monday, Nov. 3, at 4:30 p.m. at the Washington County Auditor’s Office.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com
