A new political action committee was organized recently to oppose annexation by Burien of part or all of the North Highline unincorporated area.

Burien Residents Against Annexation also collected some 1,200 signatures in two weeks to petition the city council not to proceed with annexation.

Those petitions, which were submitted to the city council on July 17, declared, "We the undersigned are opposed to any form of annexation of North Highline by Burien."

In addition to city residents, over 75 Burien business owners signed the petition, according to James P. Sharkey, treasurer of the PAC.

"We decided to talk to business owners because they represent the jewels in the crown of Burien's redevelopment," said Sharkey. "One business owner stated flatly that if Burien annexes, they would sell their home and move."

In addition, said PAC member John Oliger, of the Burien residents they have polled, over 90 percent oppose annexation.

The PAC was formed after the city council decided not to allow a citizens advisory vote on annexation, despite what opponents say were campaign promises to do so.

Sharkey said the PAC decided the council needs to know what the people think on this issue, noting "several council members have expressed that if the public takes a stand against this issue, it will be hard to ignore."

In a news release, the PAC stated, "members have analyzed the budget figures provided by the city, and found serious errors seemingly designed to mislead. For instance, the capital expenses required in North Highline (infrastructure maintenance) that range from $2 million to $5 million annually, were omitted from the budget that annexation proposals are based on, and from the recent lead story in the [Times/News].

"There is no mention in that story or elsewhere that the budget includes temporary financial incentives (a sales tax rebate) that will expire in 10 years. Finally, the $2.2 million for police protection under the No Annexation option is for only two police officers; clearly this is a padded figure and makes a misleading impression that No Annexation is more costly than any annexation option."

The PAC cites Burien's Planning Commission and the Economic Development Partnership as the sources for these conclusions.

"The Council seems to be favoring a choice between a partial Southern Annexation (10,000 residents) and No Annexation," said PAC member Ron Seale.

"When capital expenses are included, the Southern Annexation option will incur annual deficits of $2.5 million/year, even with financial incentives included. In 10 years at 5 percent growth, the deficit will grow to $4.9 million, and over the next 20 years the cumulative deficit will total $177 million.

"In comparison to the much lower cost to hire two police officers and build a fire station under the No Annexation option, this seems like a screaming bargain, Seale added.

Sharkey said Burien is sliding into deficit territory on its own.

"According to figures presented at city council, in recent sessions, Burien faces a shortfall of $400,000 in 2008 and $1 million in 2009. Because of this, discussions are already underway for a levy lid lift on the ballot for November, 2006," he noted.

"Annexation of any kind would impose additional deficits that could drive the city into bankruptcy. We believe that Burien citizens need to understand the long term consequences of the annexation options, and to tell the city council what citizens think, whether or not they want to hear it."