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Council authorizes city manager to negotiate with Central Mason Fire; council also directs staff to pursue annexation and potential ballot measures
Summary
The Shelton City Council voted April 7 to authorize the city manager to negotiate a reasonable 2027 fee‑for‑service rate with Central Mason Fire & EMS and to pursue an annexation ballot measure in 2027; council also debated local revenue options including a transportation benefit district and a 0.1% public‑safety sales tax.
The Shelton City Council on April 7 directed City Manager Mark Ziggler to negotiate with Central Mason Fire & EMS over the district’s proposed levy‑lid lift and to advance an annexation ballot measure in 2027.
Ziggler told the council that Central Mason’s board signaled it would move forward with a levy‑lift proposal that he summarized as a 29‑cent per $1,000 increase in 2027, which he estimated would raise roughly $360,800 and would increase the city’s cost under the current interlocal agreement. Over a multi‑year scenario Ziggler said the cumulative impact could be substantial to the general fund if the district’s levy rates are applied to the city under the existing contract.
Council members discussed alternatives including annexation into the fire district (which would change how levies are applied), a concurrent city levy, establishing a transportation benefit district to preserve a $200,000 general‑fund transfer for streets, and the state‑authorized 0.1% public‑safety sales tax. Some council members urged negotiation first to try to reduce the immediate 2027 impact; others argued that voters should decide whether to accept increased public‑safety funding.
After discussion the council voted to (1) authorize the city manager to negotiate a reasonable 2027 fee‑for‑service rate with Central Mason Fire & EMS and to address future annexation responsibilities, and (2) consider placing related revenue measures on the ballot as part of follow‑up discussions. The council also directed staff to continue negotiations with Central Mason’s leadership and return with options and analysis.
The next procedural steps identified in the meeting: staff will continue negotiating with Central Mason Fire & EMS, prepare materials and financial scenarios for council review, and develop outreach explaining how annexation or alternative revenue options would affect city property owners.
Action at the meeting did not adopt a new tax or formally place any specific levy on the ballot; it authorized negotiation and signaled intent to pursue annexation and potential ballot measures pending further work and council direction.
