20 Cents Makes a Big Difference to Shelton Roads

This August, Shelton residents will be asked to vote on the renewal of the city’s Transportation Benefit District (TBD). First approved by voters in 2015, the TBD has funded a wide range of street maintenance and safety improvements over the past decade. Renewal would not raise taxes—it would simply continue the existing 0.2% sales tax for another ten years.

If the measure does not pass, the City stands to lose a reliable and flexible funding source at a time when transportation costs are rising and outside grant dollars are increasingly competitive. For our growing community, that kind of uncertainty has real implications

Since 2016, the TBD has generated more than $5 million in dedicated revenue for transportation projects within city limits. That funding has supported over seven miles of paving and three miles of chip seal work, including visible improvements on Railroad Avenue’s Western Gateway, the Front Street overlay, and key corridors like Brockdale Road and Beaver Street.

The TBD has also contributed to Safe Routes to School infrastructure and enabled the City to deliver services such as pothole repair, snow and ice removal, and regular street sweeping.

The TBD allows the City to proactively plan and carry out road work, rather than wait for costly failures. As state and federal funding for local infrastructure has declined, this kind of predictable, local revenue has become increasingly important. Because the TBD is funded through sales tax rather than property tax, the cost is shared by both residents and visitors. That means local businesses and homeowners benefit from better infrastructure without bearing the full financial load. Plus, basic necessities like groceries and prescription medications are exempt, making this less of a burden for those on limited budgets.

The Chamber supports policies and investments that maintain and enhance the transportation systems necessary for the efficient movement of people and goods. A strong local economy depends on sound infrastructure. When roads are safe, reliable, and well-maintained, they support commerce, access to services, and overall quality of life. Whether it’s helping customers reach our downtown shops, supporting freight movement, or connecting workers to job sites, good roads strengthen business and community alike.

The Transportation Benefit District is a proven tool that works. It funds practical, high-impact improvements with accountability and transparency, and it shares the responsibility across everyone who benefits from Shelton’s streets. The Chamber believes that public infrastructure is a foundation for a thriving economy and that continued investment is both prudent and necessary.

To learn more about the TBD, view completed project maps, or see the full list of street improvements, visit sheltonwa.gov/tbd.