"Two cities agree on annexation." That was the headline on Dec. 17th in the Highline Times.

The city council seems totally oblivious on what is happening in the real world of finances. The federal government is running a deficit. The state is on the verge of creating a deficit. The county has a deficit.

Up to now the Burien City Council seems to have come up with a balanced city budget, although there has been a sizable decrease in the overall fund balance available to the city.

The annexation agreement will lead Burien into a deficit situation because the planned for additional funds to cover the annexation are based on wishful thinking.

The basics of the agreement, as outlined in the Dec. 17th issue of the Highline Times, both increase local service levels of the area being annexed and, at the same time, will not result in a reduction of any essential services.

Burien is looking to receive additional fiscal support beyond the local municipal revenues generated in the unincorporated area. It is highly unlikely that either the state or the county will be providing sufficient funds to cover the additional expense.

This translates to a decrease in existing services currently provided to Burien residents or an increase in taxes and fees on the residents of Burien.

Annexation at this time would be a step backward in the future of Burien.

James Sharkey

Treasurer

Burien Residents Against Annexation