Tumwater committee forwards annexation ordinance for 93rd Avenue SW and Case Road SW to council with recommendation to adopt

On March 11, 2026, the City of Tumwater General Government Committee voted to place Ordinance 02026-001, an owner-initiated annexation covering two parcels at 93rd Avenue Southwest and Case Road Southwest, on the March 17 city council consideration calendar with a recommendation to adopt.

Dana, the staff presenter, told the committee the annexation covers roughly 11.8 acres in the city’s southern-central area and is within the urban growth area (UGA). She said the owners have accepted their fair share of the city’s indebtedness and will accept the city’s land-use designations; zoning for the parcels is light industrial and is not scheduled to change as part of this action. "This is the last step of an annexation," Dana said, describing a multi-step review process that included assessor review and Boundary Review Board consideration.

The committee heard a brief procedural history: the application was submitted in February 2025 and accepted in March 2025 because the two petitioning owners satisfied the 60% petition-by-value threshold; the committee and council reviewed the petition in subsequent months, the county held a hearing and adopted a resolution in July, and the Boundary Review Board completed its review later that year. Dana emphasized that the council cannot adopt the final annexation ordinance until the Boundary Review Board has reviewed the application.

Committee members questioned staff about fiscal and utility implications. Dana said up-front costs to the city are mainly staff time and processing; longer term, property tax revenue that previously would have gone to the county will come to the city after annexation. Brad added that, based on staff calculations, the tax burden on the properties is about the same under county and city rates and that additional revenue should cover the costs of services for these parcels. Council Member Brandon Wheaton asked about sewer and water access; Dana said a water-line extension across 93rd Avenue is planned in the capital facilities plan for this year or next and that parcel owners will be responsible for connection fees and for tying into mains; she did not confirm existing sewer service locations.

Council Member Brandon Wheaton moved to place Ordinance 02026-001 on the March 17 city council calendar with a recommendation to adopt; Council Member Swarthout seconded and the committee approved the motion by voice vote. Dana said staff will notify affected service providers and agencies — including the library, fire and police departments, utilities and the Office of Financial Management — as part of implementation steps.

The ordinance will next appear before the full Tumwater City Council on March 17, 2026, for consideration of final adoption.