Mukilteo is looking to grow rapidly

Published 1:19 pm Friday, December 14, 2007

I recently heard about the plans for a proposed annexation of two large areas of unincorporated Snohomish County into the city of Mukilteo. The larger area includes the neighborhoods of Norma Beach, Picnic Point, Meadowdale, Wingate, Wind n’ Tide, Lake Serene and Fairmount. The other area mostly includes the Paine Field airport.

Apparently the Mukilteo City Council plans are moving along quite rapidly with the proposal to be on the May 20, 2008 ballot to be implemented by Aug. 1, 2008.

Clearly the City of Mukilteo has a strong interest in the acquired tax base the annexation would provide for its future capital improvement plans and increased city expenses.

The proposal states that a big advantage would be a reduction in your property taxes. Looking at all the documents associated with the proposed annexation I would believe the “reduced taxes” would have a limited lifespan before a tax increase was necessary to support the City Council’s expansion desires. The City of Mukilteo has limited available land for future business expansion so they are looking at our neighborhoods as a solution for that limitation.

At least another year should be allowed for the residents to absorb the information, get answers to their questions and clearly understand what “annexation to the City of Mukilteo” really means to their current quality of life. It should not be forced upon us like a high speed freight train and on the ballot in the spring of 2008.

More information can be obtained from the City of Mukilteo Web site. Links are provided to the various documents relating to the annexation process. (www.ci.mukilteo.wa.us/Page.asp?NavID=58)

Jack Barnes