Citizens
for One
KirklandFrequently Asked Questions
Q: Why can't the residents of the City
of Kirkland vote on annexation
A: According to Washington State Law, only
residents of a potential annexation area can vote to annex to a
city. This is intended to protect the residents of that area
from being annexed against their will into a city. For example
a small area with a small population that adjoins a larger city
can't be compelled to join a city because the residents of the
larger city voted yes. Designed to protect the "little guy"
Q: Why can't the residents of the City
of Kirkland vote to decide whether a vote on annexation takes place
A: The city council could choose to hold an advisory vote to help
decide whether or not to put the annexation vote on the ballot.
But in a representative democracy, it is the officials that are
elected by the citizenry that make the best decision from the
information given
Q. Why consider annexation now?
A:While annexation has been discussed for years, one of the
challenges for the City has been that the cost of providing City
services to the PAA would exceed the revenue that would be generated
from that annexed area. However, the passage of Senate Bill 6686 in
2006 provides enough funding through a State sales tax credit to
largely close the annexation deficit for up to ten years and creates
an opportunity and responsibility to consider it more seriously.
Kirkland must initiate annexation by January 1, 2010, to be eligible
for the new State financial assistance.
Q. What are the long-term financial impacts of
annexation to the City of Kirkland?
A: The original fiscal study completed in 2005 projected an annual
deficit of up to $4.8 million. A more recent update of revenues and
expenditures produced a somewhat smaller deficit that is largely
addressed by the availability of State funding. The study also
indicates that annexation could have a neutral or beneficial
long-term financial impact on the City’s budget. The annexation
process could create efficiencies that positively impact both
revenues and expenditures and help solve existing, underlying
problems in the City’s financial structure.
5. How would annexation affect my services and taxes if I live in
the PAA?
Kirkland prides itself on the level of service it provides to
residents, and it is the City’s intent to provide the same level of
service to the annexation area as it provides within the existing
City limits. The most noticeable differences to residents of the PAA
would likely be improvements in police protection, and street and
park maintenance. Kirkland already provides fire protection and
emergency medical services to all but a small portion of the
annexation area. Annexation would not affect school district
boundaries. It is estimated that an average homeowner would pay
about the same amount or a little less taxes and fees as a Kirkland
resident than under King County, depending on the assessed value of
their property and their utility usage. The table below compares
annual 2007 taxes in King County and Kirkland.
|
* These figures are based on an average home value of $400,000
and assume that residents in the PAA would assume Kirkland's
outstanding debt; actual property tax rates vary within different
areas of the PAA
**Actual utility taxes for PAA residents may be more or less
depending on the utility usage
Q: Would annexation area residents have to assume an equal share of Kirkland’s existing debt?
A: Kirkland residents currently pay approximately $0.15 per $1,000 of assessed property value (about $60 per year) to pay off bonds that were issued for improvements such as the Forbes Creek Fire Station, Juanita Bay Park, and the public safety dispatch and records system. Since annexation area residents would use these facilities, the City will likely ask the residents of the annexation area to assume a prorated share of the debt. In this case, since the total number of residents making payments would increase, the annual cost per household would decrease to approximately $0.10 per $1,000 in assessed property value (about $40 per year). Even with additional property tax for debt, the total taxes and fees for the average homeowner are still lower in Kirkland than in King County. The assumption of debt by annexation area residents is subject to voter approval as part of the annexation election.
Q: How would annexation affect fire and police
services?
A: King County Fire District #41 currently provides fire and
emergency medical services to most of the annexation area through a
contract with the City of Kirkland. Residents in Kirkland and most
of the PAA would not notice a difference in service. The Kingsgate
area is served by three separate fire districts, which would be
included within Kirkland’s fire and emergency medical system if
annexation occurred. Police services are currently provided to the
annexation area by the King County Sheriff. If annexation were
implemented, the Kirkland Police Department would extend their
services to the PAA as well. We estimate about 44 new sworn
personnel would be added to staff four new patrol districts. The
intent is to maintain services in Kirkland and eventually provide a
new, equivalent level of service in the PAA.
Q: When would annexation happen?
A: The City Council has not made a decision on whether or
not to pursue annexation. If the City Council decides to pursue
annexation, it must initiate annexation by January 1, 2010, to be
eligible for the new State financial assistance, which provides
enough funding to greatly reduce any annexation deficit the City
would experience. Any proposal would require voter approval from the
residents of the PAA as well as action by the City Council to
confirm annexation and set an effective date. While the annexation
of Kingsgate, Upper Juanita, and Finn Hill could be accomplished in
phases, it is likely that the City Council would choose to annex all
three areas at one time.
Q Would the zoning in my neighborhood change?
A: The City of Kirkland would apply the existing Kirkland zoning
districts that are most comparable with King County’s existing
zoning to the PAA. That means that if annexation is approved, the
minimum lot sizes, setbacks, and permitted uses are likely to be
similar, if not identical to the current zoning. Over time, the City
would work with residents and business owners to prepare
neighborhood plans for the annexed communities. Any proposed changes
to zoning would be considered through an open public process.
Q What are the voting procedures if the City
Council decides to place annexation on the ballot?
A: Since Kirkland residents are represented by the City
Council, they will not directly vote on this issue. The City Council
will take citizen input very seriously and is listening intently to
Kirkland residents to help inform their decision on annexation. If
the City Council decides to move on to Phase 3, PAA residents would
vote via an annexation ballot. Any proposal would require voter
approval from the residents of the PAA as well as action by the City
Council confirming annexation and setting an effective date. The
Council is considering this decision very carefully through a
four-phase process and looking to engage Kirkland and PAA residents
at every step along the way.