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), a King County representative has said the County will cut our services in the future. Well, the county is living up to its word, more cuts are being proposed. I am sure taxes and fees will increase too.

The property tax rate for Kirkland is 14% lower than King County ($7.89 for Kirkland, $9.26 for King County per $1000 of assessed value). Yes, Kirkland has a utility tax. For many people the total taxes paid will be the same or less than they are paying now, even with the proposed increase.

Will Kirkland raise our taxes in the future? Maybe, but so will King County. We would have a greater voice in the decision if we are part of Kirkland. Our local government would be Kirkland, and we would still have our King County representatives for regional issues.

While it is true we cannot vote for Kirkland City Council members or tax issues today, we can change that for the future. We will be able to have representation on city boards and commissions also. City Council meetings are more accessible to the public, held in Kirkland in the evening. The King County Council meets in Downtown Seattle during the work day.

The City of Kirkland is putting annexation on the ballot and is required to inform the voters on the issue. The “For” and “Against” statements in the Voter’s guide have the same word limits. If the information about annexation appears to be positive, it’s because the facts speak for themselves. Annexation will be a benefit to the citizens of the PAA and current Kirkland residents. Kirkland became the city it is now through previous annexations.

The annexation of this area is a big job, no doubt. When we work together, we can build a better future for all of the Kirkland community. We have always been one Kirkland, it’s time we became one city.

The annexation has been endorsed by the Kirkland Professional Fire Fighters and the Municipal League

Johanna Palmer

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