NEWBA. It stands for North East West Bothell Annexation. The city of Bothell is looking to add approximately 20,000 more Snohomish County citizens into its jurisdiction. City officials have heard from fewer than 5 percent of the citizens who would be affected. What about the remaining 19,000 of us? Do we really want to be annexed?
As with all annexations, Bothell promises better police and fire protection. But what Bothell isn’t telling us is that our property taxes may go up. And they aren’t telling us how we will no longer be able to support Sno-Isle Regional Libraries since Bothell is considered King County for library service. And they aren’t telling us how their goal is to develop as much vacant land within the annexation area as possible in order to bring in much needed revenue. The fact is Bothell is not prepared to handle the increase in physical area and additional citizens, and city buildings are not large enough to house additional staff and necessary equipment.
The Boundary Review Board denied the city’s request for annexation last year, but Bothell fights on. The city is planning open houses in April to hear what the people want. If you are affected by this annexation, please let your voice be heard! Visit Bothell’s Web site (www.ci.bothell.wa.us), write to Bothell’s council members, and attend the open houses. Get involved!
Pam Johnson
Bothell
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