Next Steps for Annexation
As you’re probably aware, the annexation vote count is now just under 60% approval – and 60% is required on a vote that combines assumption of a share of the city’s bonded indebtedness along with approval of annexation and the proposed zoning code (the last two would only require 50% if voted on separately). It’s possible that as the last few ballots are counted (late-arriving ballots from overseas voters, and ballots that were originally challenged for missing or mismatched signatures that are being “cured”) that the count could edge back above 60%, but it might not – and we need to be thinking now about possible actions if the vote is certified on November 24 at less than 60% approval.
The first decision to make is whether or not to request a recount. State law does not mandate automatic recounts on local ballot measures, no matter how close the vote, so a recount is only conducted if requested by a group of voters willing to pay for the full cost of the recount – estimated at $7,000 for a machine recount for all the ballots in PAA precincts, $23,000 for a hand recount. In a machine recount, all the ballots from the annexation area would be run through the counting machine again, but with a special setting turned on so that ballots on which the machine doesn’t recognize either a Yes or No vote for annexation would be separated out for hand-checking. It’s possible that some voters might have used the wrong color pen, or marked their vote with an “X”, slash, checkmark, or something else other than filing in the entire bubble – all of which would be counted as votes in the recount even though they weren’t in the original count. Of course, it’s possible that these votes could be “No” votes and make things worse, but they could be “Yes” votes, too. We’d have to put down a deposit of about $1,600 by November 27 in order to start the machine recount. If the recount changed the result (pushed the count back above 60%), we wouldn’t have to pay anything, and the deposit would be refunded – but if the result didn’t change, the rest of the full cost of the recount would be due.
If we don’t do a recount, or if the result doesn’t change, the next action would be to ask the city council to accept the annexation anyway. State law (RCW 35A.14.085) says that even if a combined vote on annexation and debt assumption fails to get the required 60% of the vote, so long as the result is 50% or more, the city council can still vote to accept the annexation without the debt assumption (it’s the debt assumption component that causes the 60% requirement). Previous Kirkland city councils have done exactly that – when annexation areas have voted positively on annexation but not accepted debt assumption, the council has gone ahead with annexation anyway. Annexation was supported by nearly 60% of the voters in the PAA, and the impact of the PAA not assuming a portion of the city’s bonded debt is small (the property tax for debt repayment for existing city property owners would have decreased from 16 cents to 11 cents per thousand dollars valuation; that 5 cents is only about 0.6% of the total property tax rate in the city). So the council may once again make a similar decision – but there’s no guarantee, as there would be if the vote were above 60%.
If you think Citizens for One Kirkland should request a recount and are willing to pledge a contribution toward the $7,000 cost, please email onekirkland@yahoo.com and let us know. No need to send money now – but we need to know if there’s a willingness to fund the recount should that decision be made next week.
Yes Annex Signs Missing and Vandalized
Unfortunately most of our signs have been stolen or vandalized. We understand that it is normal to lose signs but the amount stolen is extreme. It would require several pickup loads to steal as many signs as were taken. If you have the signs please return them.
Municipal League of King County Endorse Annexation
This Municipale League of King County has endorsed the annexation of Finn Hill, Juanita, and Kingsgate neighborhoods into the City of Kirkland. For more information click here.
Letters from the Community
I am astounded at the false statements about police coverage being made by opponents of annexation.
The 2005 estimate of police staff needed to serve the city after annexation was never a “promise” to provide 77 new police officers to serve the annexation area alone. That initial estimate was unfortunately inflated; the department proposed having as many patrol districts in the PAA as there currently are in the entire city, essentially doubling the size of the department. We all knew that wasn’t
Letter from the Community
I am a citizen of the PAA and I am the owner of a business in Kirkland. I have been following the annexation issue for over 15 years. My support for annexation is simple: better services and representation for about the same tax dollars.
The police services alone are enough to get my vote. King County can call Kirkland PD for assistance (paid for by Kirkland taxpayers), but often do not. I have personal examples. It took two calls to 911 and 45 minutes for an sheriff to respond to Kamiakin Junior High when a non-student came on campus and threatened a student with a knife. Example number two: The lumber (valued at over $1500.00) for my son’s Eagle project was stolen from a church parking lot. The Sheriff took the report by phone, no investigation.
At every informational meeting I attended on annexation (there were many),
Letter from the Community
The following are letters from the community showing support for annexation. These have been reposted with permission of the author.
September 9, 2009
Dear Editor,
Kirkland Reporter
I am a strong advocate for annexation to Kirkland, having lived on Finn Hill for 22 years and having watched as development occurs in the County with little attention to the traffic, access and mobility needs of the community and neighborhood. The County’s benign neglect of arterials, pedestrian connections and overall operation, particularly near new development, has increased traffic congestion. For example, the newest drive-in Starbucks on 100th Avenue NE results in queues that back up into a busy intersection.
With annexation to Kirkland, I look
Letter from the Community
The following are letters from the community showing support for annexation. These have been reposted with permission of the author.
I’m astounded that the anti-annexation group continues to question what will happen to property taxes in the PAA after annexation. There is no question — property taxes will go down. Kirkland’s property tax levy is $1.03 per thousand, and the debt service on existing bonds is $0.11 per thousand, a total of $1.14 per thousand. Parcels in the PAA will no longer pay the county road tax of $1.59 per thousand, or the Fire District 41 levy of $0.90 per thousand (or, for homes east of 124th Ave NE, the Woodinville Fire levy or benefit charge, which is even higher). The rest of our property taxes stay the same, but it is undeniable that property taxes WILL go down. Katherine’s idea that this is just an “average” is mistaken — EVERY parcel will see this decrease. And so long as the legislature leaves I-747 in place, total property tax collected by the city can’t increase by more than 1% per year without voter approval.
Yes, we will pay a utility tax, which for the average family
Letter from the Community
The following are letters from the community showing support for annexation. These have been reposted with permission of the author.
I wholeheartedly support annexation to the city of Kirkland. There’s never been a better time to annex than NOW! Vote yes on Nov. 3.
Why?
1) King County is in much worse financial shape than the city of Kirkland. They don’t have the budget to support neighborhood services. They just keep cutting and cutting. Annexation is the only way to counter King County’s endless service cuts.
2) Police coverage will increase and response times decrease. Johanna’s examples ought to be enough, but I have my own. After a daytime burglary at my home some years ago, I wasn’t sure if the intruder was still in my house. I waited at a neighbor’s house for what seemed like eons before the King County Sheriff’s officers showed up. Investigation? Ha. On the other hand, we had a great experience with a Kirkland officer who recently took time to show my 3-year-old son his patrol car lights. Building those kinds of relationships early helps kids know that they can go to the police if they need help.
3) I have personally checked with the City of Kirkland Finance Department to ensure that the promise is true: even with debt service, property taxes will decrease by more than 14 percent.
4) And yes, even with a utility tax, total taxes will remain about the same or decrease slightly.
5) There’s hope of salvaging our parks with annexation to Kirkland. The county plans to close 132nd Square Park, Edith Moulton Park, and a handful of others in our area by the end of the year. While details have yet to be worked out, if annexation passes, the city parks director told me “Kirkland’s financial projections assumed that the city would have responsibility for neighborhood parks including 132nd Square, Edith Moulton, Juanita Heights Park, Kingsgate Park, Windsor Vista Park and Juanita Triangle.” It will take some time, but the plan is to bring the parks up to Kirkland’s standard of care.
For the record, I’m your neighbor and have lived in the annexation area since 1992. I am a proud member of Citizens for One Kirkland. I’m a wife and mother, not an elected official or lawyer. I just want what’s best for my family. I hope you’ll join me in voting yes on Nov. 3.
Barbara Ramey
Juanita
Pro Annexation Committee Statement
Annex-YES-FlyerThe Pro Annexation Committee composed of PAA residents Toby Nixon, Jackie Pendergrass, and Ken Davidson have submitted this statement in support of annexation
We’ll receive better services without higher taxes. Police coverage will increaseWe can control our utility consumption and directly influence the amount of utility tax we pay. Total taxes will be somewhat lower for most families. If we’re not being adequately served or want a law changed, it will be much easier to go to downtown Kirkland than to Seattle. We’ll vote for Zoning and development will be overseen and enforced by officials minutes away, with neighborhood input, rather than by a county council and departments in Seattle. We can serve on and influence the park, planning, design review, and transportation boards, and neighborhood associations.
Will my house value go down if I live in the City of Kirkland?
Many may speculate a change in real estate values based on annexation. Will it go down because of annexation? No. In fact it can be argued that it will either stay the same since the development already exists or may even slightly rise due to houses in the PAA getting appraised at a higher value since they are in the City of Kirkland.
