The long talked about annexation of the White Center area has been delayed by the Seattle City Council and Mayor Mike McGinn's office because doing so would be too expensive. The action may happen in 2011.

Annexation of the north part of North Highline could cost Seattle as much as $12.6 million a year more than than new taxes would generate, plus the city would incur $8.7 million in one-time costs, based on a preliminary analysis by the city Budget Office. The annexation area is home to approximately 20,000 residents.