Auburn council adopts 2026 fee adjustments, endorses Valley Regional Fire Authority schedule; approves appointment, consent items

The Auburn City Council on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, adopted a package of fee schedule adjustments for 2026, endorsed the Valley Regional Fire Authority’s 2026 fee schedule and approved routine consent items, including setting public hearings for two franchise agreements.

Council Member Baldwin, who presented the fee changes, said the revision to the city’s fee schedule includes updates based on departmental cost reviews and inflation and includes revised traffic impact fee procedures that “bring more flexibility.” The council adopted the measures by voice vote during a meeting held in person and virtually.

Why it matters: Changes to a municipal fee schedule and to traffic impact fee (TIF) procedures affect developers, businesses and residents by changing cost calculations and payment options for permits and projects. Endorsement of the Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) fee schedule updates city billing and fee alignment with the regional fire authority.

Votes at a glance

- Appointment: The council approved the appointment of Nazli Shandin to the Auburn Junior City Council for a two-year term expiring Aug. 31, 2026. Mover: Deputy Mayor Raikes; second: Council Member Ammer. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

- Resolution No. 5860: Adopted — amending the City of Auburn 2026 fee schedule, including revisions to traffic impact fee program criteria and payment/installation options. Mover: Council Member Baldwin; second: Council Member Clinton Taylor. Outcome: adopted by voice vote. Councilmember Baldwin said the changes allow evaluation when a proposed land use is not listed and add web-based tools to increase transparency.

- Resolution No. 5866: Adopted — endorsing the Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) 2026 fee schedule as adopted by the VRFA Board of Governance July 8, 2025, with the revised schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026. Mover: Council Member Tracy Taylor; second: Council Member Ammer. Outcome: adopted by voice vote.

- Consent agenda: Approved — included setting dates for public hearings on a Seuss Creek Water and Sewer District franchise agreement and a franchise for Hyper Fiber of Washington LLC (d.b.a. Ripple Fiber), and the listed claims and payroll vouchers. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

Other procedural notes

- Ordinance No. 6,995 was removed from the meeting agenda before consideration, as announced by the city clerk.

Meeting context and next steps

Council members framed the fee schedule changes as an annual update required after the city’s earlier ordinance adopting a fee schedule. Council Member Baldwin said departments reviewed fees “based on their respective departments and provide recommendations for adjustments based on either current costs or inflation.” Staff will implement the revised schedule and post supporting materials on a city web page, per the presentation.

No individual roll-call tallies were recorded in the public transcript; outcomes were taken by voice vote. The council did not take additional action on the public comments made later in the meeting regarding neighborhood safety (see separate item).