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City Council approves TGS seismic testing permit and adopts 2026 property tax rate
Summary
At its June 16 meeting the Ballard City Council approved a permit extension for TGS to conduct seismic testing in the Roosevelt Phase One area and adopted a certified property tax rate of 0.001804 for 2026; several routine items including minutes and finances were also approved.
The Ballard City Council on June 16 approved a permit allowing TGS to extend seismic testing into the Roosevelt Phase One area and formally adopted the city's certified property tax rate for 2026.
Royce Hammer, representing TGS, requested the permit extension for the Roosevelt Phase 1C 3D project, saying the work would overlap roughly two miles into the previously permitted area and use the same equipment, fiber size, source/receivers and operating parameters as the earlier phase. Hammer said the company anticipates conducting the work late in the year, in November or December, depending on permitting and project progress. Mayor Nile Mathisen told the applicant the council would require an encroachment fee of $250.00 and that TGS must submit insurance documentation and any maps or additional information required by the city.
Council Member Shaun Murray moved to approve permitting for the TGS Roosevelt Phase 1C 3D seismic testing project; Council Member Alfred Kettle seconded. The motion carried with all council members present voting yes; Council Member Ben Allred was excused.
In a separate motion, Council Member Alfred Kettle moved to adopt the certified property tax rate of 0.001804 for 2026. Council Member Steve Secrest seconded; the motion passed unanimously among members present, with Ben Allred excused. The adopted rate was presented to the council as the Property Tax Rate Summary.
The council also approved routine business items: a motion by Alfred Kettle to approve the June 2, 2026 meeting minutes (seconded by Steve Secrest) carried with all in favor, and a motion by Shaun Murray to approve the finances as presented (seconded by Alfred Kettle) likewise passed. At the meeting's close, Alfred Kettle moved to adjourn at 8:19 p.m.; Steve Secrest seconded and the motion carried.
Next steps from the meeting: TGS is to provide the city with insurance documentation and any maps or materials requested before work begins; the seismic testing timetable remains contingent on permitting. The council did not set a final construction schedule for other city projects at this meeting.
