Marysville to grow to 57,000

Published 10:02 pm Wednesday, November 10, 2010

MARYSVILLE — Before the end of the year, Marysville will be home to nearly 57,000 people and the second-largest city in Snohomish County.

The City Council voted 6-1 on Monday to add more than 19,000 people to its current total of approximately 37,000. The plan has been in the works for several years. The annexation takes effect Dec. 30.

“Since I came into office six years ago this was one of my goals,” Mayor Dennis Kendall said Tuesday. “I’m confident it’s going to give those new citizens better access to government.”

Marysville, currently the county’s third largest city, would pass Edmonds at 40,900, leaving it behind only Everett at 103,500, according to estimates from the state Office of Financial Management. Lynnwood is fourth at 35,740.

Marysville’s turn as the county’s second city could be short-lived, however, depending on the outcome of a possible annexation vote in Lynnwood next year. Three separate areas, home to a total of 27,000 people, could vote to join Lynnwood, pushing it to 62,740. That annexation proposal has been delayed by legal action from Snohomish County Fire District 1.

The areas being folded into Marysville’s city limits are mostly residential, stretching from Grove Street on the south nearly to 152nd Street NE to the north. It includes Marysville-Pilchuck High School and four elementary schools.

Marysville added the neighborhoods by agreement with Snohomish County rather than by a petition or a vote. State law allows for such an agreement if the city limits touch 60 percent or more of the boundaries of such an area. In this case it’s 75 percent.

Councilman Lee Phillips cast the lone vote against the annexation Monday. He has said he opposes adding the area to the city without an election.

Marysville is taking advantage of a state law that allows cities to keep one-tenth of a cent more per dollar in sales tax for every 10,000 residents added to the city at one time. The city would get the money every year for 10 years. The law expires in 2010.

A census of the annexation area is planned for mid-December. If population in the newly annexed area reaches more than 20,000, Marysville could get double the tax rebate from the state.

Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.