Residents of North Highline will have the opportunity to cast their vote on annexation on November 6, 2012, and in advance of that vote Burien is starting their outreach process to inform citizens on what to expect if they become residents of the city.
Burien released a nine-page Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on annexation, available for download at the top of this story (or at their website). There is also an online tool to enter your address and find out if you are part of the proposed annexation zone.
The FAQ covers everything from boundaries of the proposed area and why Burien wants to annex, to more specific queries on taxes, public safety and utilities services.
Here are some highlights:
- Burien wants to annex the North Highline Unincorporated area because “King County and its cities agree that all urban unincorporated areas in the County will eventually be absorbed into cities” as part of Washington State’s Growth Management Act. “Burien has been studying the most reasonable and financially responsible means to advance the goals of the (GMA).”
- If North Highline is absorbed into Burien the 2045 acres and approximately 17,400 citizens of NH will grow Burien to 8,500 acres and roughly 65,000 people.
-A simple majority is required in the November vote to pass annexation. If passed, annexation “will likely occur in 2013.” In order to be eligible, NH citizens must register to vote 30 days prior to the election.
-Government services including animal control, building permits, human services, police, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, road maintenance and surface water management would be provided by Burien (although some services, including police, are contracted through King County).
-You are not required to change your address from “Seattle” to “Burien,” as long as your zip code is correct mail will still arrive.
-Property and utility taxes for the average household will increase by a rate of around $90 per year (property taxes will drop by an average of $65 while utilities will rise an average of $155).
-North Highline businesses (using the example of retail operation with $250,000 in gross receipts and less than 40 employees) will be charged $125 in B & O taxes per year and $90/year for the business license.
-Regarding public safety, if annexation occurs Fire District #11 (the current provider of fire and emergency services for North Highline and parts of north Burien) will transfer responsibility to Fire District #2 (currently covering Burien and Normandy Park).
-Burien claims, “there will be a seamless transition of police services in the annexed area” as current North Highline officers will make a “simple change in uniforms and car markings.”
Plenty more is covered in the full version, which can be downloaded at the top of the story or by visiting the City of Burien’s website.
