Tough love for Klahanie

THE Issaquah City Council should show some tough love for its wannabe citizens in the Klahanie neighborhood.

Say no for now to the proposed annexation, which voters in the unincorporated King County neighborhood overwhelmingly say they want. But give them a second chance to assume their fair share of the city's bonded indebtedness. And soon. On Nov. 8, more than two-thirds of Klahanie voters approved annexation to the city. But voters sank the deal on the next ballot line. About 53 percent refused to take on a fair share of the city's bonded indebtedness. That's debt that has helped this city of 17,000 residents build its departments, services and programs — all of which would be at Klahanie's service.

A majority of City Council members said they would not embrace Klahanie unless the neighborhood — population 11,118 — agreed to take on a fair share. That's the right stance.

Even with King County's incentives for Issaquah to take on Klahanie, any other action would amount to an extra dollop of subsidy for the newcomers. And it would be grossly unfair to the city's current taxpayers and the 3,000 residents of the Greenwood Point/South Cove neighborhood. Almost 80 percent of voters there, faced with the same questions, agreed this month to pay their way.

The council will consider its options at its Dec. 5 meeting. It could decide to let Klahanie go its own way — or give the neighborhood another chance. Considering how overwhelming was the vote to annex, Klahanie should be given the chance to reconsider.

Community leaders speculate voters were confused by the campaign in Klahanie, because concerns raised by vocal opposition were not answered fully.

Annexation actually would lower Klahanie residents' property taxes within one or two years. Even with the assumed debt, property owners would be paying less than what they are now. That's because they would be paying less to the county and the city debt service would be spread over more people.

City Council members are expected to consider options at their Dec. 5 meeting. They should approve a new election for Feb. 14 and give Klahanie a second chance.