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