Mukilteo opposing annexation in advisory vote

Published 9:30 pm Tuesday, November 2, 2010

MUKILTEO — A majority of residents were saying they didn’t want the city to annex 11,000 new residents.

The vote is strictly advisory. It’s just a way for officials to gauge the level of support or opposition for the city’s proposed 2,559-acre annexation of unincorporated areas south and east of this city of 20,500 people.

The vote’s outcome may be advisory but it could influence the City Council when it decides whether to pursue the annexation.

Proponents of the proposal, including Mayor Joe Marine, say the city has little space to grow and annexation gives it more control over the destiny of undeveloped land that lies beyond city limits.

Plus, proponents say, expanding the city’s boundaries would bring more revenue to City Hall than it costs to provide services.

Opponents say city officials, not residents, are pushing the proposal.

Last year, the city appeared on the verge of a public vote to annex the same areas after the state Boundary Review Board for Snohomish County approved the annexation. That vote never happened, though, because Snohomish County Fire District 1 sued to prevent the annexation from going forward.

Oscar Halpert: 425-339-3429; ohalpert@heraldnet.com.