West Hill Governance Task Force Report

A Path for the Future

Lakeridge, Skyway, Panorama, Skycrest, Earlington, Hilltop, Bryn Mawr, Campbell Hill

Why are we considering our future?

1995 – Regional Policy Incorporate or annex all unincorporated areas within the urban growth boundary by 2012 2002 - Budget Advisory Task Force Recommendation – Reduce and/or eliminate the services provided to unincorporated areas 2004 – King County Commission on Governance Recommendation – Implement 1995 Regional Policy and Growth Management Act 2004 – King County created an annexation initiative fund to encourage communities and cities to move toward implementing this policy

Remaining Urban Unincorporated Areas January 2004

King County Provides Services

to 353,000 Residents outside of cities

        Superior Court Regional Jail Public Health Prosecutor Public Defender Public Records Property Assessment Elections        Licensing Juvenile Detention Local Roads Sheriff Building Permits/Inspections Fire Protection Surface Water Management

West Hill Governance Task Force formed March 2004



The Greater Skyway Business Association

   Annie Dukes Sandy Oelien Dave Pardey 

West Hill Community “At Large”

   Paul Berry Sylvia Bushnell Dian Ferguson  

West Hill Community Council

     Celeste DaVault Elayne Mandra Kathleen Royer Kirsten Wilhelm Benita Thomas

South Lake Improvement Committee

  Brian Skaggs Ed Torkelson The Task Force met monthly to Research and Evaluate Facts and Data

How we started…

 Identified 75+ Issues including:  Taxes, schools, roads   Fees, Code Enforcement Fire Protection  Determined need for consultant to do research  Educated ourselves:   listening to “expert” speakers studying the various options and procedures The Task Force identified Four Options

Our Governance Options

 Incorporate on our own  Stay unincorporated  Annex to an existing City    Seattle Renton Tukwila

Our Process

 Collect Data  Analyze Incorporation Feasibility  Analyze Annexation Alternatives  Analyze the Status Quo  Assess Community Opinion

Project Consultant Berk & Associates

 Collected Data      Population & Demographic information Tax information (5-10 year projection), property, sales, utility, cable etc.

Identify support we receive from King County Operating Expense Projection Identify method for measuring services (level of service indicators)  E.g.. Police per 1,000 residents OR dollars for road maintenance per mile

Our Methodology

 Analyzed Incorporation Feasibility   Updated a 1999 study Discussions with recently incorporated cities to understand financial challenges in early years  E.g. Newcastle & SeaTac       Analyzed Annexation Alternatives Tax implications & Service levels Library, Parks, address, area code Impact to business (incl. home based) and employment Land use, Code Enforcement Discussions with recently annexed areas

Methodology, cont.

 Analyzed Status Quo (Remaining Unincorporated)   Projection of future service levels Identified methods to address service reduction (incl. special levies, special taxing districts, etc.)  Assessed Community Opinion    Measure our preferences Surveyed residents at community meetings Solicited input through community forum We conducted neighborhood meetings to determine preferences

Community Meetings March 2005

  Over 140 residents attended one of the meetings Hilltop/Skyway Campbell Hill/Skycrest   Bryn/Mawr/Lakeridge Earlington/Hilltop

What did we ask residents?

Where do you shop or go for . . . . Routine Goods Services Entertainment/recreation What Public Services do you care about… The List of Services was Long

Services We Care About Most

       Police Roads Response time Cost per capita and resurfacing schedule Fire Response time, staff, stations Parks Space per capita, recreation services, Fees Library Utilities organization Schools Locations, collections, operating costs per capita Capital investments, operating costs per capita, Which District Early On We Narrowed Our Options

Two Options Were Eliminated

 Tukwila declined to consider annexation  They had no interest  Incorporating indicated 26% budget shortfall   Low sales tax revenue Lack of funding to stimulate economic development We established a comparison matrix for the remaining options

Our Remaining Options



Annex to Seattle



Annex to Renton



Stay Unincorporated

Let’s examine the most critical services

Special Districts

Fire Library School Utilities Stay Unincorporated

No Change King County No Change King County No Change Renton Schools No Change Skyway Water/Sewer

Annex to Seattle

Seattle Fire Department Seattle Public Library No Change Seattle Public Utilities

Annex to Renton

Renton Fire Department Renton Public Library No Change No Change

Other Services

Police Roads Parks Stay Unincorporated

No Change King County No Change King County No Change King County

Annex to Seattle

Seattle Police Department City of Seattle City of Seattle

Annex to Renton

Renton Police Department City of Renton City of Renton

Annual Taxes Paid by Typical Homeowner

Property Tax Utility Tax Cable Franchise Fee

Stay Unincorporated

$2,860 $60 $24

Annex to Seattle

$2,710 $288 $12

Annex to Renton

$2,680 $236 $24 Monorail Tax $0 $238 $0

Total Difference vs. Unincorporated

$2,944 $3,248 $304 $2,940 ($4) House assessed at $225,000 and vehicle value of $17,000

Service Costs

Surface Water Fee Water & Sewer Solid Waste Collection

Total

Difference vs. Unincorporated Grand Total Total Difference

Stay Unincorporated

$91 $901 $324

$1,316

$4,260

Annex to Seattle

$122 $923 $248

$1,293

($23) $4,541 $281

Annex to Renton

A$65 $901 $161

$1,127

($189) $4,067 ($193)

What did people tell us?

 They “shopped” (by order of preference)    Renton West Hill Tukwila  They “played” (by order of preference)  Renton   Seattle West Hill

Task Force Recommendation

 Based Upon Factors  Community Input Projected Level of Services  Tax Implications

We make the Recommendation:

To pursue annexation discussions with the

City of Renton

How does Annexation Happen?

       May be initiated by citizen petition; signatures equal to 10% of votes cast in last general election, requesting annexation election City council determines whether to accept petition Alternatively, city may pass a resolution expressing its intent to annex & calling election Subject to State Boundary Review Board approval Election held – simple majority needed City can choose to reject even if election vote is favorable Voters vote for/against annexation and bonded indebtedness

Next Steps on our Path

 West Hill must first be included in Renton’s “Proposed Annexation Area” (PAA)  In January convene Task Force for action  Begin negotiations with King County and Renton    Design plan to educate community residents Launch education campaign Prepare residents for a vote

To Learn More

 Check out the West Hill Community Web Site www.westhillcommunity.com

     Go to the link for Governance See the section of Governance Profiles Provide feedback through our website Volunteer to work with the Task Force on the next steps Get involved in the direction of your community!