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Proponents
By Tom Edwards
Perhaps the two biggest fabrications by those opposed to Proposition 1, after their imaginary numbers that somehow out-expert the experts, is that: 1) we can all remain in King County and that 2) Renton isn’t looking to annex Fairwood anytime soon. In reality, TWO annexations are already in process. Even if these two efforts didn’t move forward, a new law allows annexation by interlocal agreement – so Renton and King County could simply agree to give Fairwood to Renton – without a public vote! Only the Fairwood incorporation process has blocked these annexations:
1) The "Red Mill" Annexation would take 224 acres, including the commercial core of Fairwood, along with several apartment buildings, as well as condominium and single neighborhoods to the west. This annexation involved petitions with signatures by owners representing more than 60% of the assessed value of the property. Large out-of-area commercial landlords signed these petitions. There will be NO PUBLIC VOTE for this annexation to proceed, should the incorporation vote fail. Annexation of this area will occur within a few months, if the incorporation vote fails.
2) Greater Fairwood Annexation would take the remaining area. This annexation involved petitions with signatures by 10% of registered voters. This annexation method generally requires a vote by citizens for the annexation area to proceed. An vote would likely occur within 6-8 months, if incorporation fails.
Why annexation to Renton is not the best option for Fairwood:
1) Fire Services
Fire District 40 would be abolished with annexation, except that any remaining bonded debt would still have to be paid by Fairwood taxpayers.
- Engine staffing at the Fairwood station would decrease from 4 to 3 firefighters.
- The Fairwood Station aid car would be moved to Benson Fire Station.
2) Library Services
If Fairwood annexes to Renton, the Fairwood Library's building and physical assets would be transferred from KCLS to Renton’s library system. The Fairwood Library would become one of Renton’s libraries in Renton’s library system, which is underfunded and cannot provide the high level of service as KCLS. In addition, Fairwood taxpayers would remain responsible for paying off the 2004 KCLS bonds.
- In February 2010, Renton might determine whether to join KCLS. If Renton votes to join the KCLS, Renton would likely have an additional tax levy to upgrade existing library buildings to KCLS standards. Other tax increases may be necessary to replace the taxing authority which Renton would be required to surrender to KCLS, as Renton will lose more tax revenue to KCLS than it spends on library services.
3) Police Services
Fairwood’s police service would conform to those of Renton neighborhoods. Police emphasis is likely to focus on higher crime areas, such as their downtown and transit areas, so response times outside the downtown core would not be as fast. If Fairwood annexed to Renton, our tax dollars would most help pay for Renton's downtown policing, and we would not be as likely to get fast response times to our residents and businesses. Renton's higher crime rate may begin to migrate into Fairwood.
4) Local Control
Fairwood’s service levels would drop to those of Renton neighborhoods. Any needs or desires of the Fairwood area are likely to be ignored. Existing zoning will change to conform to Renton's standards. Garbage pickup becomes every other week. We would have NO control and would find ourselves serving Renton’s priorities (like for an inordinate amount of low-income housing), rather than creating a city that enhances our property values and quality of life. Just look at the ongoing complaints from within Renton, such as the Highlands Community Association’s, and you’ll see the future of Fairwood.
5) Taxes and Fees
If annexed into Renton, new taxes would be imposed on Fairwood residents and businesses.
a) 6% Utility Tax assessed on electricity, natural gas, TV cable, cellular phones and city utilities.
b) Business License
Any business in Renton is required to have a business license, which includes an annual $55 fee per full time employee. The minimum fee is $55/year.
- All home-based business must have a business license.
- All home based (including apartment based) businesses must conform to zoning.
- All signs (including temporary) must have a permit.
6) Debt
The 2009 Renton City Budget shows a total outstanding debt of $39,733,000.00!
7) Budget
The 2009 Renton City Budget states 25.8 positions are unfunded to serve existing needs. Keep in mind that the Benson Hill Annexation added 18,000 new residents!
Vote for the City of Fairwood, the better option for Fairwood’s citizens!
Writer's Bio:
Tom Edwards and his wife are 16 year residents of Fairwood and their only daughter attends college out-of-state. He came to Seattle in 1989 for graduate school with a focus on geopolitics and globalization. Tom then worked at Microsoft for 13 years, primarily in a new geopolitical strategist function and risk assessment group he created and managed. He’s been a self-employed consultant since 2005, helping companies manage geopolitical and cultural risks in their products and services. Tom is also a senior advisor for some non-profit groups, a regular columnist, and is involved in several start-up projects.
REBUTTAL
Annexation to Renton is NOT the fantasy land that Fairwood incorporation opponents imagine. The cold reality is that Renton's model of big government cannot service the Fairwood community in tough economic times. On Monday (10/19), the Renton Mayor delivered his 2010 budget proposal to the Renton City Council. The Renton Reporter described the scene: "As a grim-faced City Council listened, Mayor Denis Law Monday night presented his 2010 city budget proposal that lays off 35 city workers and will lead to a longer wait for some city services and the loss of others." According to the Renton Reporter, "The budget eliminates 50 positions, including those lost through layoffs." The Renton Reporter concludes that "Including the 35 positions left unfilled last year, the city will have cut its workforce by 12 percent."
Opponents distort with their arguments for annexation:
- The lower taxes claim is false.
- Comparison for police response is not focused on neighborhood response. The Renton average is better because its downtown has more crime and more police in close proximity. Comparison to the county sheriff's response time also distorts, as it doesn’t compare to a contract City model, like Maple Valley. Police staffing levels are imagined for the Fairwood area that was not achieved for the Benson Hill Communities annexation to Renton.
- Annexation would eliminate Fire District 40 and its contract for superior staffing levels.
- Renton would provide no additional parks for Fairwood. The Renton 2010 budget calls for "closure of the recreation buildings at Kennydale, Kiwanis, Philip Arnold, Teasdale and Tiffany Park" and cuts to recreation programs.
- Renton 2010 budget states "currently the city cannot afford the desired level of library services and programs. We will be forced to make reductions in staffing, materials, and other programs."
City of Fairwood is best option.
Fairwood Incorporation Position Statements
Post Six: Renton Annexation Option
NOTE: Rebuttals for each week's position statement will be posted the week following the original post. Find rebuttals following each corresponding position statement.
October 16, 2009
Opponents
By Bryce Nelson
If we vote against incorporation, Fairwood residents will eventually have the opportunity to vote on annexation into the City of Renton. Renton would provide a higher level of service to Fairwood in many different areas, while having a lower overall tax burden. We’d pay less and get more. And we’d be able to keep our neighborhoods the same, instead of packing in new houses and apartments. That’s why annexation is the best possible choice for Fairwood.
Annexation Process
Any annexation into Renton of the greater Fairwood area will only come after a public vote. Renton stands alone among local cities in requiring voters to initiate any large annexation. Other cities, like Kent and Kirkland this fall, called for annexation elections themselves, without public petitions – but not Renton. The Greater Fairwood annexation petition signed by hundreds of Fairwood residents, which requires a public vote, has been submitted to Renton. But before we can even have the opportunity to vote on annexation, we must again vote against incorporation, just like we did in 2006.
Why Annex?
Higher Service Levels at Lower Costs
Annexation offers us a lower overall tax burden than either incorporation or remaining unincorporated. Renton’s overall property taxes for city services would be significantly lower, anywhere from 29 to 42% lower than Fairwood’s would be as a city. With those lower taxes would be higher service levels than either Fairwood or King County – we’d pay less and get more.
More – and faster – Police
Renton would hire 26 police officers to serve Fairwood, staffing Fairwood with at least a minimum of two officers at all times. Renton currently has a minimum of 10 patrol officers and two sergeants on duty 24/7/365 – and that total doesn’t include other officers dedicated to things like traffic, narcotics, or specialized units. RPD’s response times are significantly faster than King County. We’d have more cops on the street in Fairwood as part of Renton, and they’d get to us faster. Backup from the King County Sheriff’s Department would have to come from other cities or rural areas of the county – which would lead to much longer response times. Renton gives us more cops, and they’ll get there faster.
Continued Excellent Fire Service
Fairwood is currently served by the Renton Fire Department through its contract with Fire District 40. A city annexing an area must maintain existing response times, which means that Renton would likely be required by state law to keep the aid car at Station 17. Annexation would mean we continue to receive excellent service from the RFD, just as we do today.
Enhanced Parks and Recreation
Annexation allows us access to Renton’s expansive parks and recreation system, without the extra fees that we presently pay as out of city residents. Renton recently added an off-leash dog park to its lengthy list of city parks. Renton provides its citizens with a huge menu of recreational opportunities – everything from swimming lessons and orchestra lessons for kids, sports leagues for adults, and activities for seniors. Fairwood’s budget for parks and recreation services is $0, which would leave us the only city in the area with no city parks or recreation opportunities.
Better Zoning
Renton has already pre-zoned the Fairwood area as part of its last comprehensive plan update. Renton plans to keep Fairwood residential, zoning our neighborhoods so that they’re actually less dense than they are now. Since annexation would make Fairwood a part of a larger city, there is more area to spread out growth, allowing higher density developments to be placed in areas where they’re more appropriate. Rather than the unrestrained growth of duplexes, apartment complexes, and other multi-family housing that will come to Fairwood if we incorporate, annexation allows us to keep our neighborhoods as they are now – a better outcome for Fairwood.
True Local Control
Renton is a full service city, meaning we’d have local control over staffing levels, costs, discipline, hiring and firing of employees. We’d use Renton employees, controlled by Renton’s elected officials, instead of paying King County for the same old service, and being saddled with King County’s problems. As a contract city, Fairwood would be stuck with what King County charges us and gives us – which isn’t really local control. Renton has initiated a new community planning initiative – giving neighborhoods control over zoning, instead of a one sized fits all approach.
Annexation to Renton costs less and gives us more. Protect our neighborhoods from unrestrained growth. Vote against paying more to get less. Vote against incorporation. www.govoteno.org
Writer's Bio:
Bryce Nelson has lived in the Seattle area since '89. He grew up in Redmond and attended Pacific Lutheran University for undergrad and Seattle University for law school. He's been a prosecutor with Pierce County for the last 6 1/2 years and is currently assigned to the Special Assault Unit prosecuting sex and domestic violence crimes. His wife is a teacher at Nelsen Middle School in Renton, and they live in Woodside with their 16 month-old daughter, who he says "keeps us busy and always makes sure the inside of our house looks like a toy store exploded!"
REBUTTAL
Options
Any annexation of the greater Fairwood community will take place only after a public vote. If we vote against incorporation, we will eventually have the opportunity to vote on annexation into Renton. If we vote no on that, then we stay unincorporated. King County can’t do anything to force us into either option – the decision will be up to us.
Police
Many of us have been frustrated by the slow response of the King County Sheriff’s Department when we call 911. As Fairwood, we’d continue to get the same county service, with the same slow response times. Renton’s per capita law enforcement staffing is among the highest in King County; Fairwood’s would be near the bottom. Annexation means more cops for Fairwood, and faster response times.
Libraries
By the time we are able to vote on annexation, it’s likely that Renton will be a part of the King County Library System. That means our library wouldn’t change, and would remain exactly as it is now.
Land Use
It’s just not true to claim that Renton will allow a huge amount of low income housing in Fairwood. Renton has pre-zoned Fairwood, and almost the entire area is zoned at low residential densities, including the properties where proponents claim a low income apartment complex will be built. You can’t build apartments in a residential area – and proponents know this – but continue to make the claim anyway. Renton would keep Fairwood residential.
The ultimate experts are you, the voters. It’s unfortunate when campaigns resort to scare tactics rather than relying on the facts. Perhaps that’s why incorporation proponents refused to participate in a public forum to discuss these issues – it’s easy to make claims, but much harder to back them up in front of the real experts – you.