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June 22, 2009
8 Comments
Washington State's Boundary Review Board Makes Final Decision Supporting Fairwood Incorporation
Additional BRB Member Changes "No" to "Yes" Vote
Washington State's Boundary Review Board (BRB) finalized its decision in support of the Incorporation of a new City of Fairwood at its regularly scheduled meeting on June 17.
With one board member absent, the final official vote was 8 to 2 in favor of Incorporation. One slight surprise was a change in vote from "no" to "yes" by board member Evangeline Anderson. Anderson previously had voted "no" during the preliminary vote on May 28. The vote on May 28 was 8-3 in support of incorporation.
According to BRB's Lenora Blauman, Anderson provided no explanation for the change in vote during the June 17 session.
Previously voting "yes" on May 28, board member Michael Marchand was absent from the meeting, so he was ineligible to vote on the final decision.
The two "no" votes were from board members Lynn Guttmann and Roger Loschen, who also voted "no" at the May 28 meeting.
Post May 28 Meeting
After the close of the public hearings held May 26-28, the BRB created an official Resolution and Hearing Decision, which is the official document voted on at the June 17 meeting.
Ultimately, the Board found that the incorporation of a new City of Fairwood would have sufficient resources available to provide the government structure and services that are necessary to support the social interests and economic interests of the community and meet the Growth Management Act criteria.
Some of the key findings in the Decision document include a commitment to the Area's population and territory.
Reasonable Rates: The Board found that the proposed new City of Fairwood would have the necessary basic fiscal resources to support local governance and public services "at reasonable rates."
Cohesive Policies & Services: They found that as a single local government unit, the new City could administer more cohesive policies, standards, programs and services, and that the services "can be anticipated to be more effective, more efficient, and less costly to both government and citizens of the Fairwood Area," including coordinated and efficient service programs necessary to maintain a "viable, safe community."
Local Voice and Vote: They found that the new City "would unite a greater community which shares mutual social interests and economic interests" and offer residents and business owners "a voice and a vote in planning for the cohesive governance of a unified neighborhood and greater community."
Full Document
To read/download the full Decision issued by the Boundary Review Board,
CLICK HERE.
A First in Ten Years It's been ten years since a new city was formed in King County, and many speculate that with the limited number of large, unincorporated areas, Fairwood could be The City Sammamish, created in August, 1999, was the last city that incorporated in King County.
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Next steps in the process undoubtebly will be the launch of vigorous campaigns on both sides of the issue and the eventual election, tentatively targeted for this fall.
Leave a Comment:
Responses to
"BRB Makes Final Decision
to Support Fairwood Incorporation"
July 16 - 3:30 pm
Nancy said: I continue to support the Incorporation of Fairwood, GO FAIRWOOD, VOTE FOR INCORPORATION!
The BRB has taken in account not only the consultant report which they ordered but also the changes in the laws which will benefit a new city.
Keep our tax money working for Fairwood, bring the tax money to home to the benefit of the new city and its citizens!
July 14 - 1:15 pm
Chris said: Jake, I think you are sorely mistaken. I've seen the comparison's of response times between the King County Sheriff's Office and the Renton Police Department. The Renton Police Department far exceeds quicker response times. As for not getting one to "save our life", you need to explain the situation or state if you even called them. You of all people understand how calls are prioritized and shouldn't make statements that you can't back up with specifics. If you received a ticket you probably did something wrong. Think King County wouldn't have given a ticket in the same circumstance? Think Fairwood won't raise taxes to supplement the lack of business and residential income? Especially when there is no growth. If you are a firefighter, you know how budgets increase over time and with Fairwoods "stale" tax income, try paying for increasing budgets.
July 12 - 10:48 am
Jake said: I live just outside of the Fairwood area in Cascade, and would not be affected. However, I must say that when we got annexed into Renton, our services were good for the most part for about the first month. After that, we could not get a police officer to save our life. Their response times were horrible, and we can't get road services from public works for a long period of time. We even started getting parking tickets for parking in front of our own homes! It was a bad move for Cascade to join Renton, and now it's starting to show. Higher taxes, less service and even getting penalized for being home. I do not support Renton by shopping in the city. I am a firefighter for another city and have seen a lot of my friends go from working in a small department that they enjoy, to working for a large department where they are just a number. BAD IDEA RENTON. Go Fairwood!
June 28 11:30 pm
Joe said: I will be voting for the City of Fairwood...I am glad there is a larger backing this year for Fairwood to become its own city. I do not want the baggage that comes with being part of the City of Renton. We would be ignored and used. Go Fairwood!
June 28 5:45 pm
Mary said: The 2010 property valuation came yesterday from the King County Dept of Assessments. My property value dropped back to 2007 levels.
Since each year's property values are based on the previous 12-18 month home sale prices, it will be a while before property values begin to climb again.
Looks like Fairwood's property tax revenue will not be as high as expected.
June 25 - 5 pm
Chris said: Expenses grow each year. Our limited business district and lack of areas to build residences will not sustain a new city now or in the future.
June 25 - 12:45 pm
Jeff said: Congress voted several years ago to authorize military actions to stop Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. It was supposedly based on "a ton of work" that was "objective". We saw how well that turned out.
Please use your own common sense. Does a new city with few businesses even seem feasible, especially in this economy? My family looks forward to the vote so we can enthusiastically vote NO!!
June 25 - 7:15 am
JH said: It's clear that the consultants and BRB have done a ton of work to present the benefits and risks involved in becoming a new city. Their findings are objective and avoid alarmist and extreme conclusions that both sides are guilty of making. That's "simply" the truth. My decision will be based on whether I want to be a part of the creation of my own city that reflects my neighborhood or whether I want to be a part of a big city, with all its positive qualities and inherent negative baggage.