Shelton staff lists one-time requests: IT upgrades, MaceCom placeholder funding, vehicles, skate park study

City staff presented a detailed list of departmental requests during the Sept. 23 study session that will feed into the 2026 preliminary budget. The list included one-time capital and equipment requests as well as ongoing personnel and lease costs; staff asked council to indicate priorities as part of the budget formation process.

The nut graf: Major operational requests included IT infrastructure replacement (server and hardware), placeholder funding for MaceCom dispatch upgrades, police vehicle leases/outfitting, taser-payment schedules and a proposed structural analysis of the wood skate park on school-district property. Council asked staff to pursue grants where available and to vet options before finalizing recommendations.

IT and records: Staff asked for a server switch replacement and Windows-server refresh (combined items supported by an applied-for grant) and a $10,000 annual allocation for routine computer-refresh hardware. The city manager said staff recommends putting the server switch and hardware replacement on an ongoing replacement schedule rather than deferring indefinite upgrades.

Dispatch and MaceCom: Staff described continuing uncertainty about MaceCom's capital and staffing needs and proposed a placeholder of $50,000 to $100,000 in the proposed budget while partner agencies refine a joint funding plan. Council members asked staff to examine direct appropriations and federal/state grant opportunities to address the dispatch facility's technology and staffing needs.

Vehicles, equipment and facilities: The list included replacement of older public-works…