The Chehalis City Council voted to publish an interlocal agreement and schedule a joint public hearing with the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners for Monday, Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. to accept public comment on a proposed annexation of unincorporated territory in the city’s urban growth area.

City staff told the council the action before them authorizes notice and a public hearing under state law and does not itself approve annexation. “That’s all it authorizes. It does not, at this time, authorize or guarantee annexation is going to go through,” a city staff member said during the discussion.

The resolution (No. 20-2025) directs staff to publish the interlocal agreement or notice of its availability for four consecutive weeks in the Chronicle and to post materials at City Hall, the Community Development office, and the Chehalis Post Office beginning in mid-September. The city recommended the hearing be held in the Lewis County commissioners’ hearing room to allow joint public comment and input on terms required by state law (RCW 35A.14.472, as cited by staff).

Why this matters: the hearing starts the statutorily required public-participation window for an interlocal-annexation process and begins a sequence of steps that could lead to annexation if the city and county decide to proceed after hearings, workshops and any Boundary Review Board review. Councilmembers pressed staff for more detailed financial, population and project-level information before the council or the public are asked to make a final decision.

Council and staff outlined the next steps and contingencies during the meeting. Staff said the county has already begun parallel action and that the city previously approved a resolution on April 28, 2025, to enter negotiations. After the Oct. 20 hearing, there will be additional workshops and at least one council vote before a final decision; a Boundary Review Board review and its timing could affect an effective annexation date. Staff estimated that, if annexation proceeds and deadlines align, some related transitions (notably a potential fire-district merger) would take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Councilmembers repeatedly asked that the public have clear, accessible numbers before the Oct. 20 hearing. One councilmember requested a pre-hearing census and complete fiscal breakdown; a city staff member said a formal census could be done but would likely cost about $15,000–$25,000 and that staff preferred to verify financial figures before publishing them. “I would like to see the census done prior and have every bit of information possible before we go into a public comment period,” Councilmember Kevin said.

On service questions, staff said existing wells and septic systems would generally remain in place as lawful, nonconforming uses so long as they remained in working condition; by contrast, new development would be required to hook up to city water and sewer where mains are available. “The City of Chehalis is not going to force anybody into our service as long as their wells and septics pass,” a city staff member said.

Council discussion also touched on a list of county projects — including fish-passage projects and roadway permits — and how responsibility for those projects and any required matching funds would be handled if an annexation proceeds. Staff said some projects funded by the county’s existing agreements would remain the county’s responsibility until separate interlocal arrangements were reached for individual projects.

The council passed the resolution on first and final reading to set the hearing date and authorize publication and notice; the action starts the 30-day notice period required by state law. City staff said documents and maps identifying the annexation area and related materials would be posted online and made available at both city and county websites once the county’s resolution triggers the notice period in mid-September.

Votes at a glance: The council moved to pass Resolution No. 20-2025 on first and final reading to publish notice and schedule a joint public hearing with Lewis County on Oct. 20 at 5 p.m.; the motion passed on voice vote (recorded verbally as “aye” in the meeting). The meeting transcript does not list an exact roll-call tally or the full names of members voting by name.

What’s next: Staff will publish the interlocal agreement or notice of its availability for four consecutive weeks, begin a 30-day written-comment period when the county’s notice posts, and prepare materials for the Oct. 20 joint hearing. Councilmembers requested that staff publish financial projections, acreage and maps as soon as they are verified and encouraged residents to submit written questions and comments in advance. The council emphasized that final annexation would require additional council votes and, where applicable, Boundary Review Board procedures before any change in municipal jurisdiction takes effect.