Burien and Seattle have reached a preliminary agreement on the proposed annexation of the unincorporated area of North Highline.

The parties involved in the mediation talks include the cities of Burien and Seattle, King County and the Burien/Normandy Park and North Highline fire departments. The city councils, county council and fire district commissioners will have to ratify the agreement. Burien was expected to do that on Dec. 15, according to Burien City Manager Mike Martin.

The parties agreed that Burien would be allowed to attempt to annex the southern portion of North Highline. The potential annexation area is essentially the same as approved by the Burien council in May, except the North Highline fire station will be part of Seattle's potential annexation area.

The area would extend Burien's northern border to Southeast 112th Street in north Shorewood, except the area around the fire station at 12th Avenue Southwest. The Burien city limits would then go south to South 116th St., avoiding Evergreen High School and Pool as well as Top Hat. Then, the line would head back north to South 112th Street in Beverly Park, extend to South 107th Street in Boulevard Park, taking in the Rainier Golf and Country Club, and end at Tukwila's western border. Seattle would attempt to annex the northern part, including White Center.

The mediation also resolved a contentious point between Burien and Seattle officials. Seattle officials refused to negotiate directly with Burien after Burien officials testified against an annexation state sales tax credit for Seattle that would have been two or three times what Burien would have received.

The agreement bounds Burien and Seattle to support legislation for a sales tax credit if either city annexes parts of North Highline. However, the credit would be limited to $5 million and Burien would receive the same amount of money as Seattle, according to Martin.

Adequate fire protection was also a sticking point in the mediation discussions. If Burien and Seattle annex the areas as proposed, King County has agreed to secure land for a Burien fire station to replace the North Highline station.

Other basics of the agreement include:

1. All parties support the transition of the unincorporated North Highline to city status in a timely manner that will increase existing local service levels.

2. All parties agree that the annexation to more than one city is the preferred option, given the diversity of community preferences and the significant cost of service associated with annexing the entire area.

3. It's agreed that the continued provision of fire protection services is essential to the residents and businesses in the North Highline communities and that all parties will work to ensure an annexation will not result in a reduction in services.

4. Both Seattle and Burien are looking to receive additional fiscal support beyond the local municipal revenues generated in the unincorporated area.

Read the entire agreement at http://burienwa.gov/DocumentView.asp?DID=739.

December 19, 2008