Lewis County approves ordinance to permit Chehalis annexation after public concern over taxes and fire services

The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners on Dec. 2 approved Ordinance 1368, authorizing the county manager to enter an interlocal agreement with the City of Chehalis to annex territory within the Chehalis urban growth area. The board voted 3-0 after a recessed hearing that began Oct. 20 and continued Nov. 25.

Public commenters raised concerns about potential tax increases and the impact on fire and emergency services. “I am not necessarily against the annexation,” said Greg Cole of Chehalis, but he said the process “seems to be a bit rushed” and urged better planning for roads and water for urban growth area residents. Mike Goodwillie, a fire commissioner for Fire District 5, accused the City of Chehalis fire department of harassing neighboring District 6 and described a posted $61,000,000 list of requested equipment as a “wish list” that would require higher taxes on elderly and low-income residents.

County staff and counsel responded in the hearing. Mindy Brooks, director of community development, told the board that the specific RCW option cited in the staff report (as stated in the transcript) does not provide for referendum or petition options or for making fire districts automatic parties to the interlocal agreement. She also explained tax-timing details: because an August deadline had passed, general taxes would not transfer until 2027 while the road tax transfer would occur upon annexation. “There are two taxes — the general and the roads,” Brooks said, noting the phased timing.

A county representative (identified in the record as Stacy Nenem) said a single percentage such as “23%” is misleading when presented alone and described trade-offs in tax burdens and service rates. She told the commissioners that some service charges could fall — she cited wastewater reductions of roughly 30% and water reductions of roughly 10% as examples discussed in staff analysis — and said the existing fire levy would be replaced by a 35¢ rate effective Jan. 1, 2027. She also characterized the $61,000,000 figure publicized on social media as a wish list that staff and officials had previously addressed.

County counsel confirmed the legal process being followed. When a commissioner asked whether the process had been called illegal, the counsel said the procedure outlined in the statute Brooks referenced (quoted in the transcript as “35 a 14 4 72”) had been reviewed by both Chehalis and the county and was being followed.

Commissioners acknowledged residents’ concerns and discussion focused on staging and coordination with fire districts and neighboring agencies to maintain public safety. Board members said chiefs from police and fire agencies had coordinated with neighboring jurisdictions and that the county planned to accelerate coverage in the UGA area as part of implementation.

The board moved to approve Ordinance 1368 and passed the motion by voice vote, 3-0. The ordinance authorizes the county manager to execute the interlocal agreement with the City of Chehalis; staff confirmed additional implementation steps and coordination remain to be completed.

The hearing record was kept open for written material as described by staff, and several speakers asked to have their statements incorporated into the record. The board did not take further amendments at the meeting and adjourned following announcements.