Annexation gives all ratepayers the vote

A cornerstone of our democracy is the right to vote and have our interests represented when decisions are being made that impact us.

It will come as a surprise to many that a sizeable number of Shoreline residents — nearly 20,000 — don’t have the right to either vote for or be represented when policy and budget decisions are made by our Ronald Wastewater District Board of Commissioners. We think that is wrong and hope to see this situation corrected on Aug. 19.

Ronald Wastewater District is a special purpose government instituted in 1951 for the sole purpose of providing wastewater services to residential and commercial customers within the city of Shoreline and parts of unincorporated Snohomish County. We collect and convey sewage to treatment plants (owned and operated by King County and the city of Edmonds), maintain the system and invest in capital improvements as necessary to keep the system operating efficiently and effectively. District operations are funded through rates; Ronald Wastewater District has no taxing authority.

In 2001, the district acquired a relatively large service area within the city of Shoreline from Seattle Public Utility. The acquisition ensured all Shoreline residents get the same high quality service that Ronald provides. But until the new service area is annexed into our corporate boundaries, ratepayers in this area are not eligible to vote in district elections, run for the office of commissioner, or have a say in budget and rate decisions.

In 2007, the Legislature adopted legislation that allowed us to finally put the question of annexation before citizens (ratepayers). Voters living in the annexation area will see the measure on their Aug. 19 primary election ballot. The annexation area is bounded approximately by Northeast 195th Street to the north, Aurora Avenue North to the west, Northeast 145th Street to the south and 30th Avenue Northeast to the east. If a majority of voters say “yes” to annexation, all ratepayers will have the right to vote and be represented in Ronald Wastewater District elections and decisions. Annexation will not result in increased rates or new taxes nor will it affect any city of Shoreline services.

Wastewater collection is something most people only think about when something goes wrong. We are happy about that and do our best to make sure you never have to think twice about your wastewater service. What we think is wrong is that not all ratepayers can participate in the governance of our district. On Aug. 19, we hope that will change.

Arthur L. Wadekamper is a ratepayer and President of the Board of Commissioners of Ronald Wastewater District. For more information about Ronald Wastewater District or the Annexation measure, visit www.ronaldwastewater.org