Written by UPDATE: This blog entry has generated two dozen comments so far, and counting. I moved it back to the top, so it was easier to find. Tomorrow, I will link to the web sites for the pro-incorporation and the pro-annexation initiatives.
We received this email at City Hall:
________________________________________________________
Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen;
This email is going out to over 100 Fairwood area residents that have
indicated that they want to make a good choice regarding the future of our
community by endorsing annexation to the City of Renton.
We are initiating our campaign “Choose Renton” on Monday, August 11, 2008, 7:00 PM at the Renton City Council Meeting (1055 So. Grady Way – 7th floor Council Chambers). In the next few weeks, we will be asking the Mayor and City Council as well as King County Officials to help provide factual information on three important choices that face the Fairwood community residents in the near future.
Like the Cascade/Benson Hill Communities annexation to Renton, we believe that choosing Renton is our best option, but want to make sure that we have all the facts to share with the Fairwood area community.
Please join us at the City Council meeting.
FAIRWOOD – Fairwood residents are proud to announce the formation of Choose Renton, a new organization created to endorse annexation of the Fairwood
Potential Annexation Area (PAA) into the City of Renton.
“Annexation of the Fairwood PAA by the City of Renton will provide a higher level of service for lower cost, preserve the residential character of our neighborhoods, and allow us to be a part of an economically stable city without the budget problems presently plaguing King County,” said Bryce Nelson, spokesperson for Choose Renton.
Recently, King County Fire District 40 signed a 20 year contract with the City of Renton to provide fire services for the Fairwood area.
Staffing levels at Station 17 on Petrovitsky Road have increased as a result of the contract with Renton, without an increase in taxes – showing that Fairwood will get more for its tax money by becoming a part of the City of Renton. The Renton Police Department would also provide significantly faster response times for the Fairwood area than its present service provider, the King County Sheriff’s Department. Residents of Fairwood voted against incorporation in 2006.
“Incorporation will provide an unknown level of service, at unknown costs, with unknown taxes, and with an uncertain ability to keep Fairwood’s residential character the same,” said Nelson. “We said no to incorporation two years ago for all of these reasons. It was a bad idea then, and it is a worse idea now.”
Choose Renton believes that Renton’s ability to provide us a significantly higher level of service for less money than a City of Fairwood makes it the obvious choice for the area.
As King County continues to cut service levels to unincorporated urban and suburban areas, remaining a part of unincorporated King County is no longer
a viable option for Fairwood.
For additional information on our efforts, endorsement forms, and future meeting dates, please go to our website at _www.chooserenton.com_
(http://www.chooserenton.com/) , which will go live on our official launch date of August 14, 2008.
Please contact Bryce Nelson at _bryce.nelson@gmail.com_
(mailto:bryce.nelson@gmail.com) or (425) 864-7771 with any further questions.
Bryce Nelson, Spokesperson
No!
How about….. NO!
Why should Renton have to pick up King County’s suburban underfunded junk?!?!?
Have you been to Fairwood? Split-level hell.
Re: No!
Excuse me, but these 20,000 citizens all work and spend in Renton, you idiot. MOST of us voted down incorporation. You probably just wish you could afford one of our 500,000 split-levels.
sounds like given the financial situation…
why should we pick up more financial burden, especially if the State monies (and I assume KC funds) aren’t there to bolster and sweeten the deal for Renton to do this.
After the bashing Renton has received from the pro-incorporation folks in Fairwood AND the “leave us the Hell alone” people of Fairwood, why should Renton be compelled to kiss their hind end and accept them?
I cannot attend tonight’s Council meeting, but if I could, I’d be there to advocate for Renton putting the brakes on this stuff, especially at this time given the dire situation with the city’s finances.
Re: sounds like given the financial situation…
You are relying on information from the pro-incorporation people which has been very slanted in the media. MOST of Fairwood wants to join Renton.
If you two are so agents the idea of them annexing, why don’t you sign your postings. That way we can know who stands where on the issue.
I am for annexations. I am trying to put one together adjacent to the Liberty annexation that became part of Renton on the 11th. Fairwood is a nice area. Mostly residential as far as I know. The people I’ve interacted with up there are pleasant and I have always felt safe there.
You may have me on the financial part as I don’t really know where the city revenues are generated from. I’m guessing real estate tax and sales tax. Houses there seem equivalent to other parts of Renton and while the area isn’t down town, there seems to be enough businesses to support the local residence.
I don’t see what all the fuss is about. It’s not Skyway.
Mark Martinez
Before any rumors get started here, I should be clear that if citizens of Fairwood voted to annex, the city council would allow the annexation. This is because the area is in our approved PAA (Potential Annexation Area), and we have already had the debate about which areas are in and which areas are out.
I just don’t think it is likely that Renton would reject a Fairwood annexation at this time.
At the same time, we are not going out and lobbying for it either. So this truly is up to the citizens of Fairwood…. at least that’s the way I see it.
Still, I enjoy reading all points of view here.
Thanks,
Randy
Grumble….
Just because previous administrations signed us up to incorporate King County’s junk, doesn’t mean we elected you to but your brain on hold.
Wasn’t there a study done on the financial aspect of incorporation vs. other options? Randy, can you post that study if you have it.
Seems there are still some hurt feelings. I remember some not so nice things said about Renton by a few vocal pro-incorporation people. i wouldn’t let that bother me. However, it’s important to see if the financial aspect works out for Renton and ask for more $ from the state if needed.
Maple Valley is having $ issue from what I heard and Covington is doing ok because Convington got a lot more business (Home Depot, Walmart, Costco, Fred Meyer…)
Here is the link to the financial study . It says that annexation would be a cost to the city of about $800,000 per year. That is about a one to two percent hit to our general fund. Not great, but probably manageable.
This study could probably stand to be updated, but I don’t know if we want to spend the money for that right now.
A thought
Hi all. I’m Bryce Nelson, the guy who’s been designated the spokesperson for Choose Renton, the group that is working to ensure that the Fairwood PAA annexes into Renton.
One of the things that is important to remember is that the study posted by Councilmember Corman deals with the costs to Renton of annexing the entire Fairwood PAA — not just the part that is presently unincorporated, but the Benson Hill/Cascade portion that was annexed into the city in March of this year. I wouldn’t draw any conclusions about the potential costs/revenues before a new study is done that accurately reflects the area that we’re hoping annexes into Renton.
It’s also important to recognize that Renton is already providing service to Fairwood. Since 3/1/08, Fire District 40 has contracted with Renton for services. The contract has a 20 year term. This has resulted in improved service to the Fairwood area that we couldn’t get either as an independent fire district or as a separate city fire department.
Realistically, our choices up here are to incorporate or annex. Staying unincorporated isn’t viable. I’m a bottom line kind of guy. I don’t care whose name is on the door of the police car or fire truck. I just want the best service for the lowest tax dollars possible. That’s Renton, not a City of Fairwood.
I look forward to accurate information being provided to the citizens of Renton and Fairwood on this issue. I’m confident that once people learn the facts, the choice will be pretty easy, and we’ll prevail. Thanks for reading.
Re: A thought
Hi Bryce. Great post. Thanks!
Thank you for clarifying the scope of the study I posted.
This fact would knock down the $800,000 deficit to something between zero and $400,000, depending on details that are too much in the noise to be discernible.
And with the Fire District 40 agreement you mentioned, it probably is fair to say the whole thing is a “push” for Renton.
Please feel free to respond to anything else that does not sound right here…whether it’s from me, or from other readers. A healthy duologue is the best way to explore all aspects of this.
As a final note, I was surprised at the strong non-annexation position posted by several Renton residents above. We have not historically received this percentage of anti-fairwood-annexation feedback from our current residents when we discuss this topic live. It could be the small sample size, the select internet audience, the fact that we are in a bad economy, or something else, but there does seem to be some degree of annexation fatigue out there.
Re: A thought
Basically, We have enough of our own problems to deal with without adding more of them.
Of all the annexations, Fairwood would be the best. But add it to Benson and Skyway, and it’s just another problem for us to deal with when we have more that enough of our own.
We can’t even clean up the Highlands – and now were supposed to clean up Benson and Skyway? If we had a model of cleaning places up and making them livable – then great. But we don’t.
In addition I also don’t like not having a vote on the whole matter. Just because King County told us to do something doesn’t mean we should have to.
What I *DO* like about Fairwood – is that it will bring voters to the table that won’t put up with too much BS. You’re typical Fairwood voter will want to clean up Benson and the Highlands quickly… we need that kind of energy in our city.
Re: A thought
Bryce here again.
Ben, I’d encourage you to take a drive around the Fairwood area sometime. Most of the neighborhoods already have the infrastructure (i.e. sidewalks) that Benson Hill and Skyway don’t. I don’t think the long-term capital costs would be as high as the other annexation areas, but that’s just my opinion. Sidewalks seem kinda innocuous, but I know they can be a huge expense for a city. Fire District 40 had also previously passed a bond issue to build a new headquarters station which is now Renton Station 13 on Benson Rd. There’s some money left over in that bond to pay for renovations to Station 17 on Petrovitsky. So I think that the rest of Renton would probably not pay anything to take on Fairwood, and like Randy said it basically would be a wash for the city.
And so you know my day job — I’m a deputy prosecutor for Pierce County. So yeah, it’s safe to say that I’m one of those no BS voters who demands accountability and who wants where I live to be safe. I’d like to think most of us up here are pretty much of the same mind in that regard. That’s why I’m so passionate about Renton — our police response times would be drastically better if we annexed vs. staying unincorporated or incorporating. I think we’d be a great addition to the city and hopefully in the next year or so we’ll join you.
Re: A thought
I think you’ve convinced me!
Thanks for braving the slings and arrows of my grumpy disposition!
If there is anyone who would like to help me start an annexation connected to the Liberty annexation? Look me up on facebook if you do.
Mark Martinez
Fairwood or bust!
The City of Renton, or the City of Fairwood? If you ask me, as a resident of the Fairwood area, I’ll take the latter any day. Why you wonder? Pretty simple: I like Fairwood “as is”, I don’t want to see it turn into a forgotten outpost of Renton (i.e., Renton Highlands) nor do I want it suffering under the dubious efforts of Renton (check it out in the Renton Reporter today, about a $5.2 million shortfall in the Renton budget – way to go guys!).
A City of Fairwood is not only a good idea but it’s entirely viable. All the scare tactics used in the previous Sept. 2006 election (in which incorporation very narrowly lost – so don’t believe the slanted comment above) are erroneous. The previous Berk study showed that Fairwood has viability but a new study is underway and will likely show the same result. It’s not about “unknown” taxes, costs, etc. – we know what they will be – it’s just a matter of overcoming the human fear of anything new.
I’d implore the City of Renton to take a totally hands-off approach and make sure you don’t do ANYTHING to influence this election, not even sending mails to Fairwood, no pro-annexation ads in local papers or ANYTHING that would be construed as influence! We already have special interests getting their fingers into the mix (thanks to a certain individual who strongly opposes Fairwood while not even living in the area).
I for one love the idea of a City of Fairwood; I want to keep the library “as is”, I want to keep our community “as is” and in fact we should be able to do a better job since our King County taxes will remain in Fairwood and not head off to some other community. Let’s do it!
Re: Fairwood or bust!
First you say ….”nor do I want it suffering under the dubious efforts of Renton (check it out in the Renton Reporter today, about a $5.2 million shortfall in the Renton budget – way to go guys!).”
Then you say “I’d implore the City of Renton to take a totally hands-off approach and make sure you don’t do ANYTHING to influence this election”
I’ll stay out of your debate about whether to annex or incorporate, but if you are going to tease me about our budgeting I’m going to defend myself.
While a 5.2 million dollar shortfall would constitute the majority of Fairwood’s budget, in the big leagues we have much more capacity…it’s only 2 percent of Renton’s total 2008 budget. And considering no economist in the nation seems to have anticipated the number of bank failures, the dramatic curtailment in construction, the doubling of energy prices, or the recession, and considering we increased the size our city by 35% this year, I would say we are not doing too bad to be running two percent behind. And we have the equivalent of about 20% of our annual budget packed away in reserves, which we will not have to touch to weather the current storm. Instead, our normal end-of-year department-by-department savings, which in past years have paid for things like our Aquatic Center, the veterans park, the downtown event center, etc, will this year be used to cover the few percent shortfall. When all the revenues from Benson Hill start getting directed to the City of Renton (as they are supposed to be), things will look better.
We will of course take all the plummeting national and regional economic conditions into account when we budget in 2009, but we will still go into the year with a 240 million dollar budget with another 20 million or so packed away in reserves. This will give us a lot of flexibility and resilience. And, we’ll continue to be able to watch it closely, given that we can afford both a finance director and a FINANCE DEPARTMENT, something smaller cities often don’t get to have.
Re: Fairwood or bust!
And let me add that the studies that showed Fairwood was or was not viable as a city were done based upon a good economy and from tax revenue generated therefrom. Under our current economic situation, I doubt the City of Fairwood has any chance to project financial viability–they’re in the same boat as the City of Renton (and every other City in the state)–greatly reduced property and sales tax revenue and nearly a complete stop in new development.
Re: Fairwood or bust!
Just a quick note.
A recession is broadly defined as 2 consecutive quarters with negative economic growth.
GDP over the last 6 quarters has grown even with the slowdowns mentioned by Randy. This is mainly due to the increase in productivity of the American worker.
Mark
Re: Fairwood or bust!
Bryce here yet again.
To respond to the anonymous poster regarding a city of Fairwood, and Renton taking a hands-off approach, the proposed city of Fairwood is within Renton’s PAA. Renton can and should provide information to the citizens regarding service levels and costs if the area were to decide to annex into Renton. It’s vital for everybody in Fairwood to get the facts so that they can make an informed decision. We don’t want Renton to influence anything — we want them to get the citizens information so they know what their options are. We’re not afraid of people getting information, be it from Renton, King County, or the pro-incorporation people.
With respect to financial viability, the Berk study stated that the city would be financially viable if residents approved periodic levy lid lifts. Essentially, this means we would have to regularly vote to increase our property taxes to make sure that service levels stayed pretty much the same as they are now with King County. If we annex to Renton, we’d actually pay less overall in taxes, and we’d get drastically better levels of service. I’m not the brightest guy in the world, but more money for less service doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me — and that’s what we’d get as a City of Fairwood.
With respect to keeping the community “as is,” that’s actually more likely to happen if we annex to Renton than if we’re our own city. The state requires every city to take a certain amount of population growth. That means Fairwood would have to take in people, which means it would likely have no choice but to change its residential character. If we annex to Renton, that population growth could be spread more broadly over the city, and directed to areas where it can be better handled so that Fairwood can stay largely the same.
Re: Fairwood or bust!
If you love Fairwood, you should not be so paranoid if the residents are provided with accurate information, rather than emotional hype. If you take a moment to look around our region, you will notice that most businesses and nearly every city, county and the state are facing financial challenges. If you understand how government is funded, you will know that a slow down in the economy cuts off a huge chunk of revenues needed to pay for police, fire, park, road and other services. Why would Fairwood be in a position to escape this? Only through huge tax increases to the local residents.
Fairwood residents, like others living outside of Renton’s city limits, are paying much higher fees for using the public pool, golf course, community center and the boat launch. When does Fairwood plan on building its own public pool and how will this be funded?
But, let’s not mix too much reality with scare tactics!
Annexation
As a long time resident and active in the annexation of Benson Hill Communities (BHC) to Renton, I would like to say that the City of Renton took the attitude of informing but not taking a side through it’s council and city administrative staff. We first approached King County and later the city of Renton.
BHC is made up of people who have or presently do work and shop in Renton amongst other localities. Many people thought (incorrectly) that they already lived within the city limits of Renton. Probably most important is we have people who volunteer in Renton.
But now we are paying taxes and fees towards the city of Renton.
We may have brought bad to the city but hopefully we bring good also.
As a new citizen of Renton I hope that Renton continue it’s positive view of annexing new area’s to Renton, with the knowledge that it is a positive growth in Renton’s future.
Dave