[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6307454,"mediaKeyId","2433251-411b63d105c2a5bb4d02ca9c65e9e79a","parentId",2433251,"title","Public Works lays out 6-year plan; aging treatment-plant equipment, generator failure and stormwater compliance flagged","audioSeconds",344,"startMs",2540230,"endMs",2885000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433251-411b63d105c2a5bb4d02ca9c65e9e79a&start=2540&end=2885","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433251-411b63d105c2a5bb4d02ca9c65e9e79a/thumbnail_2540230.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307454/Shelton/Mason-County/Washington/Public-Works-lays-out-6-year-plan-aging-treatment-plant-equipment-generator-failure-and-stormwater-compliance-flagged","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307454-a6232023d7f1fe0fd497f9668b5a11c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143233&Signature=WbGKp4oXSJ1uEqTc7s-CjICCwUeHbQBRanB3p97ic~A7AeosF08593EBTc4c823Ihr5-3uHYh8I-UU5WfAqVaJcwmOsl7ZxRwnmuD21GfmdjrIWiAI~~MtgRPq8cFXneuhMDF0MAz-A8-XbDGPXgYIxplVR2-IQoe6NhtibCjAG8uAjqQVlHmMrPGvyke61gSsDrDrNCPmZSzOmR5VVrXbmz8OlK3VJEWnBn5saTMD7gOddYt41EbshWLCozshxA93bL1oVql4EgJwAYHzFX~OPQ9~AdjwdmtyACp5V~q27~T8kRSohupW90lNMxm2jhAzBe~5YyjY2ff3lpulFCdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shelton City, WA","date","2025-02-27T17:58:05Z","article","Public Works Director Jay Herrst presented the department’s updated six‑year work plan and described recent infrastructure incidents and near-term projects that will shape capital spending in 2025–2026.

Herrst said the department is shifting toward proactive maintenance to reduce repeat repairs and extended outages. “We want to go for reactive or proactive maintenance. Do it once doing right is what we say,” he told the council.

Treatment-plant incident and equipment risk

Herrst described a winter storm and power-outage incident in which a generator transfer switch did not properly transfer loads; staff manually operated controls and limited the effect, but “there's about a half hour of treated water that was undistinfected that went into Oakland Bay,” he said. Herrst said the department is obtaining replacement parts and will evaluate upgrading the transfer switch and generators to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Why it matters: the event led to a short discharge of under‑disinfected effluent; Herrst said Ecology did not cite the city but the incident illustrates the need to budget for generator and critical-asset replacement and to strengthen contingency plans.

Other priorities

- Asset management and EAM/GIS: Herrst said the department is building an enterprise asset-management (EAM) system tied to GIS and is completing field surveying associated with the AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) project.

- Smoke testing and basin projects: Herrst said smoke-testing of basins to find stormwater-to-sewer cross‑connections is planned for 2026, starting in Basin 6, with larger basins (4 and 5) on subsequent schedules. The department will use basin projects to combine repairs and testing.

- Emergency water-response trailer and fuel planning: the city budgeted for an emergency water-filtration trailer and has an emergency fuel plan and movable tanks for generator fueling during outages.

- Stormwater permit compliance: Herrst said the Phase II stormwater permit brings rising requirements; the department is monitoring private stormwater facilities and plans staffing increases tied to stormwater inspections.

What council asked: Council members asked about timelines for basin projects and smoke testing; Herrst said some projects are grant‑eligible but require local match funding, and that he has those items on the six‑year CIP.

Next steps: Herrst will pursue replacement parts for critical generator systems, continue AMI and EAM implementations, advertise for an additional stormwater FTE and seek grant funding for basin projects and sewer separation work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Study Session - February 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public Works Director Jay Herrst told council the department is shifting to proactive maintenance, replacing aging treatment-plant and generator systems, and planning smoke testing and basin projects to address stormwater-sewer cross-connections.","taxTitle","Shelton, Mason County, Washington","taxId",56703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307459,"Shelton Police outline 2025 priorities: recruitment, new equipment and expanded online reporting",495,1623170,2119000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433251-411b63d105c2a5bb4d02ca9c65e9e79a&start=1623&end=2119","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433251-411b63d105c2a5bb4d02ca9c65e9e79a/thumbnail_1623170.jpg","/articles/6307459/Shelton/Mason-County/Washington/Shelton-Police-outline-2025-priorities-recruitment-new-equipment-and-expanded-online-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307459-7f1a2ca7bd1e66ff7dd7eb26fc7356ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143233&Signature=hw4-yDuqeDqbX9rxrynlLM~fxLXlU~mc3l0pBgDkGjZZ8tCN0YzZAQxXhl4mVviBdyXsJmzeJWVqCtemfmTeGDikRJB96CYYUO8eOohHaDIoBmgDD7l1imOu8fcHYPUbc-wIxqZCwbPi7vYRYtSV4XdDEuu6x0l-B3PdvBRuqQCrDlUH0Gx92P3IWZ2-RaeS~h~DuFK2gxhwHd81ZR~9GIhiuaKecMWuo5NJksfhqOBWG7oRFgQt~PxD~7bLmvaBQX65yp2edluTCP0oBNEMfKbK~uVrZ~dDZp7J2FMrHa-AJVZUhsCeIpyXH4ATtmHkuKO9EebZP6MXoojx9KSagg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelton Police Department presented a work plan that prioritizes recruitment and retention, officer wellness, accreditation maintenance and equipment replacement.

A department speaker identified as Kate described staffing improvements over the past year and said the department is close to full staffing for the first time in three years. “We’re actually doing very well last year. We didn't lose the same officers in other agency or retirement,” Kate said, adding the department expects to hire another officer next month.

Equipment and training

The department said it is acquiring new firearms and less-lethal options and will retrain staff on the new equipment. The presenter noted some rifles dated to the mid-2000s and were difficult to maintain, and that a standardized rifle fleet will reduce liability and maintenance issues.

Community engagement and technology

The department plans to implement an online reporting portal for certain non-emergency reports so residents can file reports and receive case numbers without an in-person visit. Kate described the rollout and case-assignment procedures: an online report would be assigned to a sergeant for review and routed to detectives or follow-up as needed. The department also plans to launch social-media accounts to post road closures, reunification locations and positive community policing content.

Accreditation and wellness

Staff said 2025 is a significant accreditation-maintenance year; the department is meeting hundreds of standards that require documentation and recent proof of compliance. Kate said the department is expanding an officer-wellness program and pursuing leadership and supervisory training.

What council asked: Council members supported community-oriented steps including citizen academies, bike/foot patrols downtown and social-media outreach to humanize officers.

Next steps: The department will continue training on new equipment, roll out online reporting and return with details on accreditation milestones and wellness initiatives.","The police department told council the 2025 plan prioritizes recruitment and retention, officer wellness, accreditation maintenance and new equipment, and will add online reporting and social-media outreach to improve public communication.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307462,"Judge: Shelton treatment court restored after brief shortfall; e-filing and community-service programs advancing",263,599360,863000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433251-411b63d105c2a5bb4d02ca9c65e9e79a&start=599&end=863","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433251-411b63d105c2a5bb4d02ca9c65e9e79a/thumbnail_599360.jpg","/articles/6307462/Shelton/Mason-County/Washington/Judge-Shelton-treatment-court-restored-after-brief-shortfall-e-filing-and-community-service-programs-advancing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307462-216277885fa1bd4225d5e23c293b94bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143233&Signature=KJW41~rWmf1rM2LUBVf6RcfN0DeTw~Kf-jlRBa0uqJGawChYzW9FZj0bEAXdb8oNe8Km79Dzzjh-FyM1Omk3Fq6RMjzxRdDV-en4MjSNcoeyNeub~h5Fv6GH1RxJnPJN9Sb7uLekXhSMOdCrezLkea7MLR~1l1jvlU3JKsnd63p~mvzoBPqen21qFhRnJcwbAwx3BJ15HRFamfSQsg2EDRURo1lIZHLtebJFpC54x6DBqjkoNmgvc-5T~peIxxy1CJ4rZwZERD~XG8AA2UiqiSkKice8PCapuC3uPRovDOSQ~rzTKZdGqicMD4gvvTAmkCOqjFCWTaEvnG7D8-PqMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Judge Greer updated the Shelton City Council at the Feb. 2025 study session on the city’s treatment court and other court-related operations, saying a near-term funding problem had been resolved and the court is operating on state funding.

“We had a bit of a funding crisis about 30 days ago, but we have fixed that. And so the court is fully funded,” Judge Greer said, adding that treatment-program funding is delivered primarily through state grants and related sources that also cover treatment, probation assistance and a bilingual court facilitator.

Why it matters: The treatment court provides supervised programs meant to reduce recidivism and support participants with behavioral-health and substance-use services. Funding and operational stability are central to the court’s ability to continue diversion and treatment services rather than send people to jail.

Other court projects

- E-filing and Odyssey: Greer told council staff are preparing for mandatory state e-filing. “It is mandated by the state court system,” Greer said, describing state training and system changes that will replace paper filing with electronic records.

- Community service program and first-offender diversion: Greer said the court’s community-service program reduces jail costs and keeps public spaces maintained; staff have also trained locally to add services such as fingerprinting. He said the court is piloting diversion for first-time shoplifting cases to intervene early.

- Staffing and case loads: Greer reported steady filings and emphasized the court handles both criminal and civil matters; earlier comments in the meeting referenced statewide discussion about public-defender workloads and a divided Washington State Supreme Court on case-load rules.

What council asked: Council members asked for numbers on program outcomes. Greer said about 20 people typically graduate from the treatment program and noted only a small number have reoffended since graduation.

Next steps: The court will proceed with the e-filing transition, continue to pursue state funding for treatment services and continue expanding community-service and diversion options where state funding allows.","Judge Greer told the council the city’s treatment court has recovered from a recent funding shortfall and is fully funded through state sources; the city is also preparing for mandatory statewide e-filing and expanding community-service programming that helps avoid jail time.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307466,"Shelton outlines 2025 work plan; transportation ballot measure, comp-plan outreach and technology upgrades highlighted",213,28130,242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433251-411b63d105c2a5bb4d02ca9c65e9e79a&start=28&end=242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433251-411b63d105c2a5bb4d02ca9c65e9e79a/thumbnail_28130.jpg","/articles/6307466/Shelton/Mason-County/Washington/Shelton-outlines-2025-work-plan-transportation-ballot-measure-comp-plan-outreach-and-technology-upgrades-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307466-9941132ed78565fc9f5bb46d944c45d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143233&Signature=ikbNeMWBlGZVd24phMI0CZuolLa81QaXqO3YLNzgvcUzuV3oqMdV0T4qL8IV~iOjhjkFsqwafeta5hnrVc0UQpd6f4-bJyss3OITG3DGAkg9wAl9whwssBYcHTTCdmWPs5YtXfv4yAky04ORTAy0u3Os4A1KL8k1vsivmMvuthtGIMXdICbo1gKE32SXWzk3VqCGhat-wBIMv3li5yShA9~RR3uY9w3ciKvFlaGPtBnNru9EPRyiIfbhkqDg-GQ8qm2Nc3AWIk71U1fefmWG~9DYZJtJ07xkCNhTv6a41-VYM4TXeMQ14Csju~~QK-gSgGB~O42R8uJeAsdgUAY8YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shelton City Manager Mark Ziegler and department directors presented the city’s 2025 work plan during a Feb. 2025 study session, saying the year will focus on service-level expectations, a transportation ballot measure, comprehensive-plan outreach and several technology upgrades.

The presentation summarized annual programs and major projects across departments. Ziegler said the comprehensive plan update will continue through the year, with increased public communications. “We have our ongoing, comprehensive plan efforts throughout the rest of this year,” he told council members. He also said staff will schedule study sessions to separate discussions of service levels from budget numbers so council priorities can guide the 2026 budget and beyond.

Why it matters: the items Ziegler and department heads flagged shape the city’s capital and operating priorities, the way residents receive services and the information available to developers and businesses. Several items — notably a transportation benefit district and modernization of permitting and business-tax systems — could affect local revenue and project delivery.

Key elements

- Transportation benefit district: Ziegler said staff will bring the proposal back for a March study session to discuss next steps and outreach. He noted many city staff will be involved in messaging for any ballot measure.

- Comprehensive-plan outreach: Ziegler said the city will continue public communications tied to the comprehensive plan update. Several later presenters at the meeting referenced state Department of Commerce requirements for housing elements in the comp plan.

- Opioid-settlement funds: Ziegler said opioid settlement proceeds are in state accounts and the city needs to identify appropriate programs and avenues to allocate those funds locally.

- Compensation and workforce: Ziegler and human-resources staff flagged a compensation study for nonrepresented employees and continued recruitment and retention efforts. He said the city must reduce turnover and improve metrics to retain staff.

- Permitting and business-technology modernization: Finance and other staff said the city will continue implementing and better using Tyler Technologies systems for permitting, finance and asset management. Finance Director Mike Giddens said the city still relies on spreadsheets for parts of budget and position forecasting and wants to use Tyler’s modules (budget, purchase orders, business license/B&O) more fully. “We want to focus on better utilizing the Tyler system,” Giddens said.

- Business license (B&O) filing and payment: Giddens and councilors described the current business-license process as cumbersome; businesses often must print, mail and check a form. Staff said they will pursue options to allow online filing and reminders so businesses are easier to track for compliance.

What council asked: Council members and staff discussed whether Tyler has a specific B&O module, and whether transaction fees on credit-card payments can be reduced for residents. Giddens said the city would explore alternate vendors or methods to reduce merchant fees.

Next steps: Staff will return with more detailed proposals (scheduling for study sessions and ordinance drafts where needed) and continue outreach on the comprehensive plan and any ballot measure.","City manager and department directors presented Shelton’s 2025 work plan at a Feb. 2025 study session, emphasizing a proposed transportation benefit district ballot measure, continued comprehensive-plan work, opioid settlement programming, and modernization of permitting and business tax systems.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6307449,"Youth group urges Shelton to use comp-plan update to address housing affordability, racial disparities and projected needs",2354,4231830,6586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433251-411b63d105c2a5bb4d02ca9c65e9e79a&start=4231&end=6586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433251-411b63d105c2a5bb4d02ca9c65e9e79a/thumbnail_4231830.jpg","/articles/6307449/Shelton/Mason-County/Washington/Youth-group-urges-Shelton-to-use-comp-plan-update-to-address-housing-affordability-racial-disparities-and-projected-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307449-0c5cdbb51242222f6cb1461e94a59580/orig.mp4?Expires=1776143233&Signature=R3AuzhbIzFefyS~b4quK-G1ULBWsJxwLzuqS2M-uaW-IddSt85WEJJzXBdskxTrdh9MdJSqEtELiPhnPJwBRnoAz4~P6r1hCInUmTQNKSH05XLju06H9c7Jmlx7U512fNXh-3bzltVrJgvtu35hKp~a~sBREthh1erzYbsDORCgTL12VweODU8fSDRQ3pM1I7j-nAe48578lCnZoVXBNQIWpx137dPeykKDi9sDf-2bP5E0XLP5jHGXOaV4VwXC-nbhiRrBW8qZuxhrYJ3ePrmgvtxttNBhWQ6PlgRdLSAjbbRUIVs2o~LuzR7RqtL6w7aCNM4bIWhxOH5YG1HlMtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A youth civic-engagement group from Mason County presented county and city-level housing data and policy recommendations to Shelton councilors during the Feb. 2025 study session, framed around new Department of Commerce requirements that follow House Bill 1220.

Julianne Gale of Mason County Climate Justice said the group received a Department of Commerce grant to improve public participation in the comprehensive-plan update and to ensure vulnerable populations are heard. “We got a grant from the Department of Commerce to make sure that there is public participation in the comprehensive plan update, especially from vulnerable populations,” Gale said.

Why it matters: House Bill 1220 changed state requirements for housing elements in comp plans. The students said Shelton and Mason County must document housing needs at each income level, identify racial disparities in housing outcomes and adopt policies to meet existing and projected needs. Those determinations shape zoning, funding eligibility and program priorities.

Presenters’ findings and recommendations

- Data and affordability: Presenters said median housing prices in Mason County have roughly doubled since 2016, while incomes have not kept pace. They noted county-level American Community Survey data is the most current reliable source for smaller jurisdictions, and they urged the city to collect local rental data because many rentals are single-family or small-unit properties not captured in larger-sample data sets.

- Housing needs and PSH: The group highlighted the need for permanent supportive housing (PSH) and other units targeted by income bracket; they explained the Department of Commerce’s requirement to identify housing needs by income category. Presenters said subsidized units per capita in Mason County lag neighboring counties and urged the city to pursue grants and dedicated staff to apply for them.

- Racial disparities and outreach: Presenters showed maps indicating Shelton has higher concentrations of people of color than many surrounding areas and urged multilingual outreach, partnership with community organizations and measures that prioritize policies for low‑income renters to reduce racial disparities.

- Policy suggestions: The students recommended collecting meaningful local rental data (they reported about 775 survey responses collected by their group so far), consider longer multifamily tax-exemption periods for low‑income housing (20 years rather than 8), explore community-land trusts, incentivize conversion of seasonal/vacation homes to long‑term housing, and use comp-plan provisions to address environmental health risks before approving new housing.

Council response: Council members thanked the students for their work and asked follow-up questions about community-land trusts and how city zoning might accommodate those solutions.

Next steps: Presenters encouraged council to incorporate local rental survey data into the comp-plan process, engage the Department of Commerce’s forthcoming presentation to the advisory council, and consider the listed policy options when updating Shelton’s housing element.","Julianne Gale and students from the Cedar Stewards (COSMIC) presented county-level housing needs and Department of Commerce requirements tied to House Bill 1220, urging Shelton to gather local rental data, prioritize low-income renters, pursue affordable-housing funding and consider longer multifamily tax-exemption periods.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Works lays out 6-year plan; aging treatment-plant equipment, generator failure and stormwater compliance flagged

Shelton Police outline 2025 priorities: recruitment, new equipment and expanded online reporting

Judge: Shelton treatment court restored after brief shortfall; e-filing and community-service programs advancing

Shelton outlines 2025 work plan; transportation ballot measure, comp-plan outreach and technology upgrades highlighted

Youth group urges Shelton to use comp-plan update to address housing affordability, racial disparities and projected needs