Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, June 4, 2009

Bigger Bothell put on hold

The planned expansion into Snohomish County isn't ready, a state board rules.

By Noah Haglund
Herald Writer

 A citizen-led drive to greatly expand Bothell's city limits into Snohomish County will have to wait at least another year after a state board ruled Tuesday that the proposal wasn't ready.

The Boundary Review Board decided Tuesday that more planning was necessary, especially for fire protection.

"The citizens are going to be disappointed," said Mickie Gundersen, president of the Hilltop-­Locust Community Group, which has worked to join Bothell for 12 years. "What we really want is better representation."

Gene Grieve, who has headed up the effort with Gundersen, said they would try again.

The annexation would have added 22,000 residents to Bothell's current population of 32,000. Residents are split almost evenly between King County and Snoho­mish County; the annexation would have put the majority of the city north of the county line.

Fire-service issues weighed most heavily on the board. Two fire districts serving the unincorporated areas said the annexation would have forced them to close one station each and lay off a combined 26 to 30 firefighters. Bothell planned to hire six new firefighters to replace them.

"They're saying they can provide the same level of service with a lot fewer firefighters," said Snoho­mish County Fire District 1 Commissioner Jim Kenny. "Somehow, that doesn't add up."

Fire District 7 faced similar problems, plus possibly losing a nearly $1.7 million federal grant.

Another sticking point was a cross-county dispute about trash. King County officials say a late-1980s agreement gives them the right to all of Bothell's garbage. Snoho­mish County officials say the county could lose $1.9 million in annual revenue if it loses responsibility for handling the trash.

Review board members, who voted 4-1 to keep the annexation from moving forward, worried about the potential for lawsuits without further planning.

Bothell originally hoped to put the issue to ballot early next year. Now, it has to wait until at least late 2010. Bothell spokeswoman Joyce Goedeke said Wednesday the city was deciding how to proceed in light of the decision.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA