The Honorable Kathy Washington
Mayor, Town of Welaka
Mayor Kathy Washington is the proud and dedicated Mayor of the Town of Welaka, FLorida, where she has earned the respect of residents through her unwavering commitment to public service, community advocacy, and faith-based leadership. A lifelong resident of Welaka, she brings deep community roots, a servant’s heart, and strong family-centered values to her role as mayor.
A retired veteran, Mayor Washington’s leadership is grounded in discipline, integrity, and an enduring commitment to serving others. She holds a master’s degree in organizational management, equipping her with both educational background and practical experience to strengthen municipal operations, improve organizational effectiveness, and foster meaningful community engagement.
Mayor Washington’s journey into public office reflects a legacy of service and resilience. Following the passing of her father, Mr. Willie Washington Jr., who served as a Town Councilman for more than 40 years and Chief of Police for 5 years, she was appointed to fill his council seat, continuing his legacy of service to the community. Residents later reaffirmed their confidence in her leadership by electing her to continue serving on the council and, ultimately, electing her as Mayor.
As Mayor, she has championed initiatives that promote community unity, modernize town services, improve public infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life for all residents. Her leadership is guided by the principles of faith, family, integrity, and service, ensuring that Welaka continues to honor its rich history while embracing opportunities for future growth.
After serving just under one year as Interim Mayor, she was elected Mayor and has led numerous accomplishments that have modernized town government and improved services for residents, including:
- Bringing the town current after falling two audits behind.
- Providing Town Council members with official town-issued cell phones to improve communication and accessibility.
- Implementing a telephone payment system, allowing residents to conveniently pay utility bills by phone.
- Introducing a check scanner for daily bank deposits, eliminating delays that previously caused residents’ checks to take one to two weeks to clear.
- Constructing an accessible sidewalk connecting Town Hall to the pavilion, improving access for individuals with mobility challenges.
- Leading groundbreaking for the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility, positioning the town for future growth and infrastructure improvements.
Beyond her municipal responsibilities, Mayor Washington believes in investing in future generations. For many years, she has volunteered with Incubate Debate, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing no-cost debate tournaments and educational opportunities for middle and high school students throughout the county. Her service reflects her passion for youth leadership, education, and civic engagement.
Mayor Washington is also an active member of the Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (FBC-LEO), where she regularly participates in leadership development programs, municipal collaboration, and advocacy efforts that strengthen Florida’s communities. Her involvement demonstrates her commitment to continuous learning and building strong partnerships with fellow local government leaders across the state.
Above all, Mayor Washington is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her family-centered values strengthen her ability to connect with residents with compassion, understanding, and authenticity. She leads with humility and purpose, guided by the belief that effective leadership begins with listening, serving, and working together. Through collaboration, integrity, and a steadfast dedication to the people of Welaka, Mayor Kathy Washington continues to build a stronger, more vibrant future for her community.