By Lindsay Peyton

Residents of White Center are weighing the pros and cons of annexation with the City of Seattle.

Kenny Pittman, the city’s senior policy advisor, addressed a crowd tonight at Dubsea Coffee, 9910 8th Ave. SW, for a meeting entitled “If White Center Were to Become a Seattle Neighborhood.”

He noted it will be the first of many discussions planned with community. “This is not a new issue,” he said. “I’ve been working on it for 12 years. “

What’s changed the equation, Pittman said, is passage of legislation that could provide an economic incentive for annexation – a potential $7.75 million a year in sales tax revenue over a six-year period.

The first step is to start engaging the community in conversations about the process, Pittman said.

“A lot of people are asking, ‘What’s going to happen to my services?’” he said.

The plan is to maintain current fire service – and eventually add more. “We’re working with the fire district so there is not a negative impact with people here,” Pittman said.

There would also be a plan to increase the number of police officers servicing the area.

Pittman said there would be no impact to the school districts. “At this time, there is no discussion about having the Seattle school district coming down here,” he said.

He maintained that there would not be an increase in property taxes for homeowners. “Actually, your taxes will go down,” he said. “Once you go to the City of Seattle, you won’t have to pay for certain services.”

Cost of business operations, however, could rise – with the amount depending on the size on the operation.

Karen Ann Freeman, senior policy analyst with King County, said annexation has become an important issue as the population of urban islands has increased – making it harder for the county to serve the area.

“This rural area is becoming more and more urban,” she said. “The county was never designed, nor do we have the financial means, to provide services to densely populated areas.”

She said a number of studies have looked at the feasibility of White City becoming incorporated.

“We could never raise enough funding to provide the services you need to become your own city,” she said. “And the county regrettably can’t serve you the way you need to be served.”

She said the county and city are working together to create a plan. “Some folks will think it’s great – and some folks won’t be so excited,” she said. “That’s ok. It’s important for us to have that dialogue together.”

A few residents spoke against the proposed annexation.

“White Center is not just an unincorporated area of King County,” Kathy Snyder said. “This is a small town. It is the last blue collar neighborhood in Seattle – and we have a lot of pride here.”

Snyder, who has lived in the area for 16 years, is concerned that problems affecting the city – like high costs of living and increased traffic – would travel south to White Center if the annexation passed.

Catherine Thompson had similar reservations. “I don’t really think this is a good move,” she said. “The City of Seattle has enormous problems. I don’t see how incorporating into those problems is going to help us.”

Michelle Brown, a 5-year resident, said she has been researching the possible effects of annexation. “What I want to know is how this could affect me as a renter,” she said. “I didn’t get that question answered. I think the residents of White Center have a valid point not wanting to have a tax increase but wanting to have additional services.”

Mark Ufkes, who has lived in the area for 19 years, said something has to give. “White Center does not have the tax base to become a city,” he said. “We have a year to have a conversation with Seattle – and then we’ll vote.”

Pittman said the earliest time for a vote on the annexation November 2017 – or it could be delayed until November 2018. The city is building a web site in the meantime to help foster communication with area residents.

“The decision to become a part of the city of Seattle is not mine; it’s yours,” Pittman said. “You’re the ones with a vote. You have the right to say yes or no.”