The Washington city government consists of a mayor and six council members.

The mayor and council members run for their offices in nonpartisan elections for staggered, four-year terms. Four of the council members are elected from geographic wards, and two are elected at-large. At time of writing, the mayoral office is vacant.

The mayor is the chair of the council but does not vote except to break ties, an occurrence that has not happened since January of 2022.

The council is responsible for setting policy and granting authorization for virtually any project done by the city government. Members hold regular public meetings at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the city hall council chambers, located at 215 East Washington Street.