UGA annexation and more discussed at Vader City Council meeting

Both Lewis County Assessor Ross Nielson and Brandon Rogers, the county's deputy assessor for levy and audit, were on hand for a presentation on the assessment process and levies at the Vader City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 3, inside the South Lewis County community's city hall.

Their presentation came before the council also discussed urban growth area (UGA) annexation ahead of a pair of upcoming public hearings on the proposed annexation of three UGAs from county jurisdiction into the official Vader city limits.

City and county staff have drafted an interlocal agreement (ILA) to complete the UGA annexation process.

Additionally, councilors also approved a contract with Granite Construction Company for re-leveling and chip seal construction work on Vader's streets this summer.

"This roadwork is funded through the state TIB (Transportation Improvement Board) grant, which is our gas tax coming back to us," Schey said.

Vader Mayor Joe Schey explained work will not start until after the upcoming July 4 holiday - when hundreds of families from throughout the region descend upon the small, rural community for its annual Red, White and Boom fireworks show.

"That way we don't have these roads torn up when we've got all the people in town," Schey added.

Councilors also approved purchasing insurance for the fireworks show.

As for the UGA annexation, Schey explained the draft ILA is meant to help the city comply with population growth goals set by state law.

While annexation can be left up to voters to approve via ballot measure, most cities opt for the ILA method to avoid the possibility of spending money on a failed election referendum according to Vader City Planner James Eager, of SBN Planning consultants.

Three areas are being proposed for annexation into Vader city limit; a stretch of properties along the Winlock-Vader Road from state Route 506 up to Awmiller Road; two parcels just north of Route 506 along South Military Road, and the Enchanted Valley Drive neighborhood.

One Enchanted Valley resident was present Wednesday, and asked if annexation meant they would be forced to hook up their home to the city utilities like sewer and water.

Schey explained there are no existing city codes on the books requiring residents already within city limits to do so, and residents in the UGA using things like private wells and septic tanks would be allowed to keep them.

The public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, starting at 6:45 p.m. inside Vader City Hall, located at 317 Eighth St. For those unable to make it to the public hearing in-person, deadline for submitting written public comment is June 10 at noon, and comments can be emailed to Vader City Clerk Kristyn Miller at cityclerk@vaderwa.org.

Then, county staff will hold their public hearing on Tuesday, June 16, beginning at 10 a.m. inside the Lewis County Historic Courthouse's county commissioner hearing room, located at 315 NW North St. in Chehalis.

For more information on the proposed UGA annexation, visit tinyurl.com/vader-anx26 or email Eager at planning@vaderwa.org.

As for Nielson and Rogers' presentation, they spoke on how the assessment process was carried out and what affects their evaluations of properties and homes throughout the county. The main influence is the housing market itself with real estate sales.

"From 2000 to 2024, pretty much everyone's (property) value doubled, and this is based on sales, but you'll notice the taxes didn't necessarily double," Nielsen said.

Rogers stated that when property values rise, levy rates actually go down.

They also explained residents can use the county parcel website to see exactly what taxes are being levied on their properties, and how much each specific entity is taxing.

To do so, go to a property's specific listing on the Lewis County Parcels website at https://parcels.lewiscountywa.gov/, select the charge history tab and then click "Levy Details" on the specific tax year.

For more information on the property assessment process and how levy rates are calculated, email Rogers at Brandon.Rogers@lewiscountywa.gov.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.