The Burien City Council has directed its city manager to come up with a recommendation for a smaller potential annexation of North Highline that could pave the way for a compromise with the cities of Seattle, Tukwila and SeaTac.
Both Burien and Seattle have designated all of North Highline as a potential annexation area, while Tukwila and SeaTac have claimed adjacent communities in the unincorporated area for possible annexation.
"There is a desire on the council to resolve this issue and move past it and residents (of North Highline) have been wondering too long about what's going to happen," said Burien City Manager Mike Martin
Moving the annexation process forward also will help Burien city staff "be able to plan how to deliver services and use our resources in the future," he said.
"I want this to be very clear, I want there to be no confusion," Martin said. "I will not be making a recommendation on annexation. I will be making a recommendation on a potential annexation area. That's an important distinction."
Mediation had been scheduled to begin before the end of 2007. But then Seattle backed off until after the 2008 legislative session ends. The delay buys Seattle time to lobby the Legislature for a special tax break to cover the costs of providing additional services should it annex North Highline.
"My concern is that Seattle is going to the Legislature asking for $6 million so they can roll over Burien and have the finances to take all of (North Highline)," Burien Mayor Joan McGilton said.
Deputy Mayor Rose Clark said a House bill, which would grant Seattle $6 million in tax breaks but Burien only $1.2 million, is unfair.
"Seattle would like the $6 million but what we're talking about is an area of people who need services," Clark said. "The $6 million should be attached to the people of North Highline."
Martin expects to recommend a scaled-down proposed annexation area to council members by early February.
Once the council endorses it, Burien will notify both King County, which suggested mediation between the two cities, and Seattle. A letter will present Burien's proposal and state the city is ready to begin mediation.
