Burien’s City Manager Mike Martin called his city’s proposed annexation of the remainder of unincorporated North Highline “a divisive issue.”
Over six and a half hours of testimony from citizens, both for and against the move, was proof of that division as heard by the Washington State Boundary Review Board over two days on Jan. 9 and 10 in White Center.
The board did not have time to enter deliberations on whether to accept Burien’s application, postponing the discussion until Jan. 23, 7 p.m., back at Cascade Middle School (11212 10th Ave S.W.).
Burien makes their case
Mike Martin summarized the city’s opening remarks by stating annexation of Area Y is “the right thing to do, and the right time to do it,” but reiterated if the $5 million a year sales tax credit is axed by the state legislature, the deal is dead.
When asked by the board why the city did not wait until the sales tax issue is resolved, Martin said they did not want to delay the process any longer than necessary.
Burien Police Chief Scott Kimerer took the podium as well to say the city intends to increase police staffing in North Highline beyond current levels.
A recurring theme that would arise over the next two days was addressed by Burien Finance Director Kim Krause: whether or not the Berk Report (Burien’s financial study that found annexation revenue neutral) was a final report. The report states, “Discussion Draft” on the front page.
“It is our final report,” Krause said, but the statement was questioned several times by Burienites opposed to annexation over the next two days, many stating it seemed like a “half-baked” proposal with questionable conclusions and financial models.
The board specifically targeted the assumption of continued revenue growth in the annexation area and asked why there was no analysis done on the possibility of no or declining growth.
“We really don’t think that population is going to fluctuate much up or down,” Martin said, “We looked at all the best economic data and the trends throughout the state and the nation and that was … our very conservative data, but the best data we could come upon.”
Karen Freeman with King County said the county, “supports annexation of Area Y by the City of Burien,” adding it was consistent with the comprehensive plan to have urban unincorporated areas annexed to cities for better levels of service.
The people have their say
Burien’s proposal was attacked from many angles on Jan. 9, grounded in either economic or social issues as a steady stream of anti-annexation speakers dominated the podium. Jan. 10 saw more people speaking in favor of annexation - mostly residents of the unincorporated area.
Seattle’s study on annexation was often used as a reference point (for example, Burien estimated $100,000 for social services in Area Y versus Seattle’s proposal of $1.9 million), however the boundary board ultimately said they could only take into account Burien’s study, not Seattle’s.
Citizens representing 2000 who signed a petition in opposition questioned the true cost of annexation – from policing to social services to declining property values in Area Y – and many made the case that annexation would bankrupt Burien. Many said Burien has not adequately answered the question of what happens 10 years out after the sales tax credit runs its course.
Socially, Burien’s ability to provide adequate social services for an area with a massive multicultural makeup and up to 50 different languages was questioned.
As one woman from Burien put it, “It feels to me as a current citizen of original Burien … we have a downtown that is currently empty and … yet we are going to take on more? We can’t afford this. The politicians will move on, it feels to us as citizens that we are going to shoulder this weight.”
Barbara Dobkin, speaking as president of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, was one of the few voices to speak in favor of annexation on Jan. 9.
“We see a better future through annexation by Burien” Dobkin said.
“Annexation to Burien would give Burien control over our community, over what type of growth would be seen in our community. Being unincorporated for so long we have seen a large concentration of low-income housing placed in our community – more than our fair share. We do not see that as conducive to helping a community …”
“The fact is that social services will be maintained as they are by King County…,” Dobkin added in reference to the disparity between Burien and Seattle’s projections for social service costs. The next day King County spokeswoman Karen Freeman confirmed that the vast majority of social services in North Highline would continue to be funded by the county through levy funds (senior services was one exception that Burien would have to take on).
Ron Johnson, North Highline resident, also spoke in favor of annexation.
“My neighbors and I, my wife, we do our shopping in Burien, we feel a part of Burien and the incorporation of Burien in 1994 split several of our communities,” he said, staking his wish that Highline become one again.
Elizabeth Gordon from Uncle Mike’s BBQ and Justin Cline from Full Tilt Ice Cream, both White Center businesses, expressed their support for annexation on Jan. 10, while White Center Chamber of Commerce president Mark Ufkes expressed his belief that North Highline would be better off in Seattle – due in large part to better social services capable of handling a multicultural community – or staying unincorporated.
Burien lawmakers jump in
As the first night wore on, several Burien councilmembers filtered into the meeting, forced to miss the first part for their first council meeting of the year.
Lucy Krakowiak said the Berk Report needs to be reevaluated and fire district agreements need to be figured before moving forward with annexation.
“I want to make sure that before we go any further that the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed,” she said. “Where are the pre-annexation agreements that adequately address fire protection and emergency medical services in the 195 acres that are left unincorporated (Marine Delta and Sliver by the River)?”
Liz Giba from the North Highline Fire District echoed the need for pre-annexation agreements, and Mike Martin later said agreements would happen before 2013.
Newly elected councilmember Bob Edgar said annexation “will leave Burien millions of dollars in debt.”
Longtime annexation supporter and Burien councilmember Gerald Robison said Burien is the right place for citizens.
“I think it’s the right thing for the people of North Highline because Burien is a much closer government, a much smaller government … and people would be much more able to influence what happens in their area (as opposed to Seattle or King County where they would get little say).”
First to the board, and then possibly to the people
The Boundary Review Board will deliberate on Jan. 23 and make their preliminary decision that night. The decision will be written into a formal report, looked over by lawyers, and given back to the board in mid-February to finalize the decision.
If the board gives Burien the OK to move forward Mike Martin has said a vote will be put to the people of North Highline (they get to ultimately decide their own fate) in August or November of 2012. Annexation, if passed, would occur in 2013.
