Transcript West Hill’s Future
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!