What happens if Burien annexes none of the North Highline Unincorporated Area?

The "'No Annexation' Impact Summary" was submitted to the Burien City Council in the wake of recent public opposition to any annexation of North Highline.

Burien officials met with representatives from King County and Seattle to discuss possible solutions to the annexation issue.

Mayor Joan McGilton told the Burien council that Seattle is interested in the fire station and the library located in the unincorporated area.

King County Executive Ron Sims wants to find a joint boundary by 2006 and submit it to a vote in 2007, said McGilton.

Burien Police Chief Scott Kimerer spoke to the council about the $2.2 million increase in funding the city police department will need should Burien chose to not annex.

Most of the increased cost would come from hiring additional officers to maintain the current level of police service in Burien, said Kimerer.

A key benefit of the city's contract for police services with the King County Sheriff's Department is that deputies in the North Highline area have a relationship with Burien officers and 16 percent of dispatched calls are North Highline deputies responding to Burien residents, Kimerer said.

Should Seattle take all of North Highline, the Burien detachment would have to make up for the loss officers from the North Highline area.

"Seattle is very protective of their service, citizens pay for it and expect to get their service," said Kimerer. "No city will subsidize another city if they have not staffed up their own police."

Another factor is the cost of maintaining the building the police department is housed in, Kimerer said.

Burien pays 50 percent and the sheriff's department pays 50 percent. With the loss of the North Highline deputies, Burien would have to pay for the building.

If Burien were to annex just Salmon Creek and the Shorewood area, the city would face the same financial impact due to the loss of officers and the increase in population, he said.

Council members were also given information relating to Burien/Normandy Park Fire District 2, Water District 20, Southwest Suburban Sewer District and ValVue Sewer District.

If all of North Highline were annexed by Seattle, the numbers indicate that customers served by Water District 20 would see an annual rate increase of $236.

Because the size of the district would be reduced, the remaining customers would have to compensate for the loss.

The council has scheduled a public hearing on North Highline annexation for Tuesday, Aug. 22, at Burien City Hall.

Sara Loken can be reached via wseditor@robinsonnews.com