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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   Learn more The city of Mukilteo has scheduled a four-hour meeting tonight to discuss its proposed annexation, including presentations about finances, fire services and more. The meeting is 7 p.m. at City Hall, 11930 Cyrus Way, in Mukilteo.   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, June 8, 2009 Fire, deputy unions oppose Mukilteo annexation By Chris Fyall Herald Writer MUKILTEO -- Another public safety union has lined up against Mukilteo's proposed annexation. Concern about the level of police service drove the 252-member Snohomish County Deputy Sheriff's Association to vote unanimously to oppose the annexation, according to a union statement. "The police service and resources provided by the sheriff's office cannot be matched by the city of Mukilteo, now or in the immediate future," the statement said. The protest is coming from the union, not the sheriff's office itself, Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine said. The city has reached an agreement with the sheriff's office to provide continuous service to the annexation area, he said. Mukilteo is hoping to add 11,000 residents and a commercial district on Highway 99 to what is now a mostly residential city of 20,000 people. The firefighters union for Snohomish County Fire District 1 also opposes the city's annexation proposal. Union members say the city cannot provide fire service as well as the fire district does. The police union has similar concerns, president Adam Fortney said. The union worries that residents might not understand what they'd lose, he said. "It is a busy area. There are a lot of calls generated there. There are a lot of high priority calls generated there," he said. "When there is an emergency, we are there taking care of business -- and we are doing a pretty good job." Marine said job security is probably the union's top concern. A smaller district could mean fewer jobs, he said. "We will work with (the union). We obviously need to pick up officers," Marine said. "There will be positions available." Tonight, the city is set to host a four-hour work session to discuss issues related to the annexation -- finances, fire service and more. "I'm hoping it will show what the true cost of life would be with annexation, and what life would look like if we didn't annex," council president Randy Lord said. Many residents have expressed vocal opposition to the annexation. Still, financial data could mean that the city's decision comes down to whether to grow, cut services or increase taxes, Lord said. That means the city has tough decisions, he said. "What I'm hoping we don't (hear from residents) is, 'No, I don't want to grow, I do want to keep my services, and I don't want to increase taxes,'" Lord said. The Snohomish County Boundary Review Board could decide on June 23 whether or not Mukilteo can continue planning for annexation. A hearing is scheduled for June 16. If the board rules in favor of Mukilteo, residents in the annexation area could vote as soon as November on whether or not to join Mukilteo. Chris Fyall: 425-339-3447, cfyall@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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