Shelton's public-works staff laid out the city's street-fund condition at the Nov. 25 study session, warning that without increased recurring revenue the pavement condition index (PCI) would fall from the current mid-70s toward 61 within six years. Staff and the lead manager described a multi-year prioritization that favors preventative maintenance on arterials and collectors to avoid much costlier full reconstructions.

Mark Vigler, lead manager for public works, presented three budget scenarios showing how small changes in revenue streams — a TBD 0.1% increase, REIT transfers and general-fund contributions — materially change the fund's six-year outlook. Under the model shown, keeping the TBD at current levels and reducing REIT/general-fund transfers would push the street fund into deficit as soon as 202729, while a modest TBD increase would preserve services and keep the PCI near current levels.

Why it matters: Shelton maintains roughly 79 lane miles and has limited in-house street staff (staff reported about 4.65 street-fund positions). Vigler said the city needs an estimated $2 million per year of stable funding to maintain the PCI target and avoid expensive reconstruction projects. Staff also outlined how the city uses matching grants (often a 10% local match) to leverage outside funding and how federalized projects carry heavy administrative costs.

Council debate focused on timing and fairness. Some councilors urged putting a 0.1% TBD increase before voters as soon as possible (council discussed August and February ballot timing), arguing each month of delay costs roughly $30,000 in unrealized revenue. Others urged waiting because voters were recently asked to approve other taxes and had just faced a property-tax increase; they preferred short additional monitoring and gathering updated revenue data before asking residents for another levy.

What's next: Staff offered to research election timelines with the auditor's office, provide a draft ordinance and return with updated revenue projections and potential ballot dates. Council took no formal vote at the session.