Shelton authorizes negotiations with Central Mason Fire on 2027 rate, signals annexation push

Shelton’s City Council on April 7 authorized the city manager to negotiate with Central Mason Fire & EMS for a “reasonable” 2027 fee-for-service rate and to pursue discussions about possible annexation of city territory into the fire district, City Manager Mark Ziggler told the council.

Ziggler said the current interlocal agreement requires Shelton to pay the same levy rate charged outside city limits, which he estimated currently amounts to just over $1.5 million for the city’s share of fire protection. He told the council Central Mason’s board is proposing a levy lid lift in 2027 of about $0.29 per $1,000 assessed value, which the city’s modeling shows could increase Shelton’s cost by approximately $360,800 in 2027 and, under one multi-year scenario discussed in the packet, about $766,864 cumulatively over six years.

Why it matters: the levy changes could materially affect the city general fund or require local revenue measures. Council members debated options including a city levy lid lift, a transportation benefit district (one-tenth of 1 percent) to offset a $200,000 general-fund transfer to streets, and a newly available one‑tenth of 1 percent public safety sales tax authorized by state legislation in 2025.

Council action and next steps: a motion authorizing the city manager to negotiate with Central Mason Fire & EMS and to address future annexation responsibilities passed by voice vote; the transcript records a voice vote (“All in favor say ‘I’”) but does not record roll-call tallies. Several council members also discussed whether to place transportation or public-safety tax measures on the ballot; one amendment to add ballot measures was debated separately before the principal negotiation motion and did not change the direction to pursue negotiations.

What staff said they will do: Ziggler recommended continuing negotiations with Central Mason and said the district had authorized its staff to work with Shelton. He committed to returning with negotiated options and additional public-facing communications to avoid confusing voters about concurrent measures and a potential annexation ballot.

Council context and concerns: some members warned that negotiations alone may not close a multi‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar gap and urged consideration of voter-approved revenue options; others preferred exhausting negotiations before placing measures on the ballot. Council discussion also emphasized communication and coordination with Central Mason Fire to minimize public confusion about a levy lid lift versus annexation.

The council did not record precise voter tallies in the transcript; the motion passed by voice vote. The city manager and fire-district staff will continue talks and report back to the council; if ballot measures or an annexation plan are proposed, the council will return them to the action agenda for formal consideration.