The Berke Associates conultant report that concludes it is financially viable for Burien to annex White Center and the remaining unincorporated area has been released on the city of Burien’s website.

It is at http://www.burienwa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=365.

While agreeing to wait until their Aug. 15 meeting to discuss annexation, Burien lawmakers Monday night, Aug. ,1 spent a long time discussing when they would have those further discussions.

The council members decided to add a special meeting on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. in council chambers with annexation as the sole item on the agenda.

Council members will also discuss annexation at their next regular meeting on Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. The Berke consultants will give a presentation and answer council questions then.

The lawmakers also heard another report from Berke Associates on Aug. 1 on police services. The consultants concluded that Burien’s contract with the King County Sheriff’s Office is less expensive than forming its own police department. The consultants reported that the current contract costs the city $9.4 million annually. If the city formed its own department, they said the cost would be from $11-13 million each year. That figure does not include one-time start-up costs for buying vehicles and equipment.

The consultants said that if the Burien were to become larger, forming a new police department may become more cost-effective.

City Manager Mike Martin indicated that, based on the report, there are no plans to pursue formation of a new police department at this time.