Burien City Manager Mike Martin reassured Boulevard Park residents at a recent open house about his city’s plans to annex their area.

He said that Boulevard Park, in North Highline’s southeast section, looks much like Burien did 15 years ago when the city incorporated. Incorporation would bring improvements to the neighborhood, according to Martin.

“Having a vision and sticking to it is the key,” Martin declared at the Boulevard Park Library gathering.

The city manager downplayed “conspiracy theories” concerning Burien’s interest in annexing.

“I reject the notion that somebody is getting rich,” Martin said. ”We are not looking for anything but good public policy. We think we can do something good for the community. (Annexation) is not a money maker, nor a money loser.”

Martin said Burien is pursuing annexation because Burien and North Highline share strong historical ties and mutual community interests.
His 15-year-old city can financially handle annexing only the southern portion of North Highline at this time, according to Martin.

Martin also rejected claims that Burien council members are requesting an August 18 vote by affected North Highline residents to keep voter participation down.

He said an August vote would give the city more planning time than a November general election vote if residents approve annexation.
“The more people vote, the more we like it,” Martin declared. “If the answer is no, we will hear it.”

City analyst Jenn Ramirez Robson said Burien will schedule more open houses. The city also has an information line at 206-436-5555 and a Web site.

Robson said the King County Boundary Review Board will hold a public hearing on March 30. The board must approve Burien’s request for a vote.

Burien officials responded to several concerns expressed by audience members.

Martin said taxes in the affected area might go up about $200 per year for each household, depending on the neighborhood. Property taxes would go down, but utility taxes would probably be more.

He assured residents “fire service will stay the same or be better, no matter how you slice it.”

Water and sewer districts would also remain the same and annexed schools would remain in the Highline School District, he added.
Since both Burien and North Highline use King County Sheriff’s deputies, annexation would be a “seamless transition,” Burien Police Chief Scott Kimerer said.

“You will see the same deputies but in different colored uniforms,” Kimerer added.

Burien contracts with the county for police services. The deputies are both city police officers and county deputies.

A male audience member claimed 51 Seattle police officers would be assigned to North Highline as opposed to 37 sheriff deputies.

Kimerer responded that he doesn’t know what the amount of officers would be but the sheriff’s office “provides the superior service.”
Burien officials were questioned about a petition presented to the Burien council that opposed annexation and requested a vote by Burien residents.

“If you didn’t listen to your community, would you listen to us?” a North Highline female resident asked. “Will that be our future?”
Deputy Mayor Rose Clark responded that many of the petition signatures were invalid and signed by business owners who are not Burien residents.

State law does not require a vote by Burien voters, she added. Clark also pointed to a city-sponsored survey that showed 62 percent of Burien residents are satisfied with city services.