Deal between Seattle, Burien would split North Highline

North Highline, one of the largest urban parts of King County that isn't in a city, could be split between Seattle and Burien if the two city councils and voters decide that's a good idea.

Seattle would become the local government for White Center and neighboring communities in the northern portion of North Highline, and Burien would absorb Boulevard Park and other neighborhoods in the southern part. An estimated 33,400 residents would be affected.

The proposed boundary, tentatively agreed to this month by Seattle and Burien, would run mostly along South and Southwest 112th and 116th streets. The agreement defines how much territory each of the cities could annex through the end of 2011. After that, all bets are off.

The deal, crafted with the help of mediators by representatives of the cities, King County and two fire districts, will go to the two city councils and the Metropolitan King County Council for approval.

But the annexations would go through only if the Seattle and Burien city councils take the next step of putting the issue on the ballot. Approval of annexations by voters in the affected areas also would be required.

Burien appears closer than Seattle to taking the idea to voters. Burien City Manager Mike Martin said he hopes a vote on Burien's annexation plan can be held in 2009.

"The agreement states that we have until January 2012 to move forward and Seattle will not interfere with us, and Seattle has until January 2012 to move forward and we will not interfere with their efforts," said Burien Mayor Joan McGilton. "It could resolve this — which would be wonderful. Of course, then it's up to a vote of the people."

When North Highline annexation last went before the Seattle City Council, in 2006, some members were reluctant to annex, in part because it would cost more to provide police and fire protection than the area would pay in taxes. North Highline residents were divided over whether they wanted to join Seattle or Burien, or stay in unincorporated King County.

Tax help from state?

Whether Seattle calls an annexation vote this time may depend on whether the Legislature agrees to share state sales-tax revenues with the city, as it does with smaller cities that annex areas of at least 10,000 residents.

Financially strapped King County has urged neighboring cities for years to annex the mostly residential area. The county budget office estimates the county will spend $9.4 million more this year to provide law enforcement and other services to the area than it generates in taxes.

Burien and Seattle say they, too, would lose money serving North Highline without temporary help from the state. Under a 2006 law intended to encourage annexations, Burien would receive state sales-tax revenues for 10 years to offset its losses.

Seattle wouldn't receive those same revenues unless the Legislature agrees to extend the tax credit to cities with populations above 400,000. Burien and King County said they would support Seattle's request for tax help.

But with the state facing a 2009-11 budget shortfall of more than $5 billion, King County's annexation chief Elissa Benson said, "We couldn't have a worse economic time for this, but people know it's the right thing."

Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis said the annexation agreement wouldn't require the Seattle City Council to call for an annexation vote — "It just gives us a two-year window in which to do it."

Partly in Seattle now

Ceis said White Center "should be part of Seattle" because the portion of the neighborhood north of Southwest Roxbury Street already is in the city.

"The county is no longer a viable service provider," he said. "They have budget issues and they're not set up to be a municipal government. These areas must annex to a city, and Seattle's the logical place for that where we've drawn the boundary."

Kurt Triplett, chief of staff to County Executive Ron Sims, said annexation of North Highline is "hugely important" to the county because its taxing authority isn't intended to provide urban-level services.

"What's great (about the agreement)," Triplett said, "is that it still allows the citizens to make a decision about what they want to do, but it lays out an order and a timeline about how these decisions will get made."

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com