SeaTac could face a million-dollar deficit if it annexes the Boulevard Park neighborhood, according to a consultant's preliminary report.

The revenue vs. and cost figures from the Berke and Associates study were presented at the Nov. 6 SeaTac City Council meeting.

SeaTac is focusing just on the area between Des Moines Memorial Drive and the Tukwila city limits from South 128th Street to South 116th Street.

Burien and Seattle have both designated all of North Highline including Boulevard Park as a potential annexation area (PPA.)

The consultant calculated that non-fire operating costs annually would range from $780,000 to $934,00. Fire costs, including the addition of an engine crew to serve the new area, would be $1.2 million.

The city could expect to bring in $991,000 in new revenues, leaving a yearly deficit of $989,000 and $1.1 million, according to Berke's preliminary figures.

Costs would be larger with one-time capital expenses, such as installing sidewalks.

City Manager Craig Ward also indicated SeaTac would add stormwater management measures for the now-unincorporated area that King County officials have declined to do.

Deputy Mayor Ralph Shape suggested that a new 12-person engine crew, with four firefighters per shift, may not be necessary if the city changes the location of its fire stations.

Another consultant's study is looking into station locations and the possibility of merging some fire services with Tukwila. The two cities and King County have three stations close together near Boulevard Park.

However, Fire Chief Bob Meyer said an additional crew would be needed because of the increased work load. The county station located on the west side of Des Moines Drive at the South 128th intersection would not serve the Boulevard Park area if SeaTac annexed it, Meyer noted.

Councilman Chris Wythe commented, "A million-dollar deficit is pretty frightening," adding that Boulevard Park may generate more revenues through future economic development.

If SeaTac decides to declare Boulevard Park a potential annexation area it does not mean it would go ahead with annexation, Wythe noted.

Boulevard Park residents would have the final say through a vote.

If SeaTac proceeds with the PAA designation it would be as part of the city's comprehensive plan amendments.

The council is scheduled to adopt the amendments on Nov. 27 after hearing a final report from Berke. The consultants did a similar study for Burien.

Lawmakers are also scheduled to vote at that meeting on amending an agreement with the Port of Seattle to allow additional dirt hauls on International Boulevard (State Route 99).

The current agreement allows six one-way hauls per hour. However, during major excavation for the new airport rental car facility, the port is asking for up to 81 one-way trips per hour. The port operates Sea-Tac International Airport.

Councilman Don DeHan pointed out the port is planning to build a construction road directly across from the State Route 518 onramp at International Boulevard. Trucks would cross the boulevard instead of driving on it, according to DeHan.

The new facility that will house all airport rental companies will be built at South 160th Street, west of the boulevard.

The agreement would also allow for 24 one-way trips per hour during concrete placement. City Engineer Tom Gut said the trucks would haul the concrete from a site near the Duwamish River using State Route 509, SR 518, South 154th Street and the boulevard to South 160th Street.

Wythe asked that action on the agreement be delayed until Nov. 27 after voicing concern about congestion at the South 154th/boulevard intersection.

The council is also scheduled to adopt the city's 2008 budget on Nov. 27.

Finance Director Michael McCarty reported the proposed general operating budget is $28.1 million with 28 percent going for police and 23 percent for fire services. Almost half the general budget is for salaries and benefits.

About 40 percent of the city's property tax revenue is paid by the airlines while 46 percent of sales tax revenue comes from the airlines, rental cars and hotels.