A Resident’s Guide to North Highline Annexation

Oskar Abian- University of Washington

Produced for my Senior Project as part of a requirement for the

Community, Environment and Planning Major

A RESIDENT’S GUIDE TO NORTH HIGHLINE ANNEXATION

Table of Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................................3

Annexation Impacts

Taxation ............................................................................................................................7

Regulation ...................................................................................................................... 11

Services ..........................................................................................................................18

Conclusion ........................................................................................................................30

Appendix ...........................................................................................................................32

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INTRODUCTION

Municipal annexation is defined as a process by which a municipality expands its

boundaries into adjacent areas not already incorporated into the municipality. This process plays

out differently in each case, depending on the specific guidelines, regulations, and circumstances

present. However, every instance of municipal annexation brings with it a set of impacts on the

area being annexed and the residents of that area. This report will explain the major impacts of

the potential annexation of North Highline by Seattle, emphasizing the effects on the residents

and business owners of the area. It will explore both measurable and qualitative impacts to give

an overall sense for how annexation will change life for residents in North Highline.

Background

North Highline is a section of unincorporated King County located along Seattle’s

southern border. It is made up of the neighborhoods of White Center, Roxhill, Top Hat, Beverly

Park, and parts of Boulevard Park. The area has an estimated population of 17,392, across an

extent of 2,045 acres. Despite remaining unincorporated, it is a highly developed and urbanized

area and as such demands many services the county does not have the financial or logistical

capacity to address, thus making it a strong candidate for annexation by a surrounding municipal

body.

Under the State Growth Management Act of 1990, both Seattle and Burien identified

parts of North Highline as potential annexation areas. In 2008, the two cities resolved their

overlapping potential annexation areas by splitting the North Highline area into two parts. They

agreed to a memorandum of understanding in which Burien was given the opportunity to annex

the southern part of the unincorporated territory, designated as Area X, while Seattle was given

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the northern part, Area Y. In 2009, Burien’s intended annexation of Area X was placed on the

ballot for the residents of the area, who approved it, paving the way for the annexation of the

southern portion of unincorporated North Highline the next year.

In 2011, the City of Seattle notified Burien it was not planning to annex Area Y, giving

Burien the option to annex, per the 2008 agreement. Burien did so, holding a referendum on the

annexation of Area Y in 2012, which was ultimately rejected by the residents of the area. At this

point, Burien decided to no longer pursue annexation in North Highline, leaving the area for

annexation into Seattle. Seattle made some progress towards this end, submitting a Notice of

Intention for Annexation in 2014 and securing a State sales tax benefit in 2015 that would help

cover the costs of incorporation in the event that annexation was enacted. Progress has stalled in

recent years, but much of the infrastructure has been put in place to move forward with

annexation in the near-term future.

Purpose

As part of its 2014 Notice of Intention of Annexation, the City of Seattle identified the

election method as the sole method it would be pursuing in the case of annexation. This would

eventually place the annexation decision in the hands of North Highline as a ballot measure in a

future election. Although there are no immediate plans to move forward with this vote, it is

nevertheless important for the residents of North Highline to be aware of the expected impacts

annexation will bring in order to make an informed decision in the best interests of themselves

and their community. It is equally important to avoid misinformation or biased advocacy, and for

a set of common facts to serve as a basis for further discussion.

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This report aims to be an objective and current resource for residents to use. As a student

of the University of Washington, I am not affiliated with the City of Seattle or King County, nor

do I have an agenda for or against annexation. I hope to address or at least identify the concerns

of residents and business owners in an unbiased way so that the North Highline community will

be prepared in the likely case that annexation makes its way to the ballot.

Sources of Information

The following sources of information were primarily used for the fiscal data compiled in this

report:

1. King County Tax Assessor

2. Washington State Department of Revenue

3. City of Seattle Notice of Intent for Annexation

4. City of Seattle 2019 Adopted and 2020 Endorsed Budget

5. King County 2019-2020 Biennial Budget

Much of the information in this report was shared to me by policy experts I met with from both

the City of Seattle and King County Governments. Official government websites made up the

third major source of information, many of which are linked throughout the report.

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Annexation Impacts, Section I: Taxation

Property Tax

Property taxes are the main source of revenue for both the City and County governments.

Property taxes are paid by property owners and are levied based on the assessed value of their

property, shown as the amount paid in taxes per thousand dollars of assessed property. Property

value assessments in both Seattle and North Highline are conducted by the King County

assessor. Much of what goes into property taxes are voter approved levies, which help fund

services or projects by local governments or agencies. Annexation would cause a change in the

property tax rate for North Highline property owners as well as the services the tax revenue

would fund, shown in the charts below:

Current Post-Annexation Difference

Regular Rate 11.63614 10.97777 0.65837

Senior/Exempt Rate 6.8666 5.58815 1.27845

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Overall, the property tax rate in North Highline will decrease by about 65 cents per $1000

assessed value and just over $1.27 for residents paying the senior citizen/exempt rate following

annexation. The main changes in the rate will come from the elimination of separate road,

library, and fire levies residents currently pay, as these services are included in the city levies

paid to Seattle. Residents would continue to pay the limited bond for King County Fire District

#11 at a rate of $0.02 per $1000 of assessed value as well as the King County Library general

obligation bond at a rate of $0.04/1000 until both are paid off completely. The City of Seattle

may also require residents to pay for an existing road bond at a rate of $0.09/1000, which will be

determined during negotiations. While the property tax rate will be lower following annexation,

increased property values may offset this shift and cause the total tax burden to increase in the

upcoming years.

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Utility Tax

Seattle levies a tax on the gross income of a variety of utility providers, which King

County is not able to do. While these taxes do not affect residents or business owners directly,

they will likely be reflected in the utility rates charged by private providers. This will also be

affected by the customer’s usage rate of each utility, making it hard to determine the impact on a

case by case basis. Public utilities including Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities build

this tax into their rates, which are available in their respective sections in Part III of this report. A

full list of private utility tax rates charged by the City of Seattle is shown in the table below:

Utility City of Seattle Rate

(2018)
Cable Communications 10.00%
Telephone 6.00%
Natural Gas 6.00%
Steam 6.00%
Commercial Solid Waste 14.20%
Cable Franchise Fee 4.40%

Retail Sales Tax

The State sales tax rate of 6.5% applies to the purchase of most retail products within the State.

Additional sales and use taxes bring the combined sales tax rate in North Highline to 10.0%. This

rate would only increase to 10.1% under Seattle’s tax structure.

Business and Occupation Tax

Business and Occupation taxes are levied on the gross receipts of most business activity

that takes place within the City of Seattle. This would be charged in additional to the state B & O

taxes already collected from North Highline businesses. However, businesses with taxable gross

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income under $100,000 are exempt from Seattle’s tax. The following table shows the City of

Seattle’s B & O tax rates for different business categories:

Business Category Additional City of Seattle

Rate (2018)
Retail/Wholesale 0.222%
Manufacturing/Extracting 0.222%
Printing/Publishing 0.222%
Service, other 0.427%

Sweetened Beverage Tax

Seattle levies a Sweetened Beverage Tax of $0.0175 per fluid ounce sold by a distributor.

This tax is often passed on to the consumer through the increased price of sweetened beverages.

More information can be found on the City’s webpage.

Additional Taxation Resources:

 City of Seattle General Subfund Revenue Overview

 2018 Washington State Tax Reference Manual
 Sales and Use Tax Rates by City/County

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Annexation Impacts, Section II: Regulations

Laws and Ordinances

Upon incorporation, North Highline residents and businesses would fall under the

jurisdiction of the Seattle Municipal government, which operates under the Seattle Municipal

Code. The regulations laid out under this framework are very similar to those established by the

King County Code but differ in a couple of key areas.

Fireworks: King County follows State regulations of fireworks, which allow for their sale and

usage at given times on and around the July 4th holiday. Seattle enforces a total ban on the

sale or usage of fireworks, punishable with up to a $5000 fine.

Plastic Bags: The City of Seattle prohibits retailers from offering plastic carryout bags to

customers. More information can be found on the City’s website.

Marijuana: The State Liquor Control Board (LCB) is responsible for issuing licenses to retail

marijuana stores and enforcing marijuana regulations. In the years since legalization,

King County established buffers to limit the location of marijuana retailers away from

sensitive areas such as parks or schools, matching a regulation set by Seattle. The County

found that the ratio of marijuana retailers to residents in North Highline is comparable to

many neighborhoods in Seattle. The licensing and regulation of marijuana dispensaries in

North Highline would see very little change.

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Business Licensing

The State government requires all businesses to apply for a license upon any major

changes. Specialty endorsements must be renewed annually and pay a fee. King County requires

additional paid licenses for businesses that engage in ‘regulated activity,’ defined under Title 6 of

the King County Municipal Code. The Department of Local Services Permitting Division grants

business licenses, which must be reviewed and renewed on an annual basis.

Seattle requires a business license for all retail sales and services, wholesale, professional

or personal services, manufacturing, home-based businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Businesses apply for a license through the Department of Finance and Administrative services,

which must be renewed annually before December 31st. Certain businesses must also obtain a

regulatory endorsement, which requires a separate application and fee. Standard business license

fees for the City of Seattle are shown in the chart below:

Annual Seattle Taxable Revenue Annual Fee/Prorated Fee

$0 - $19,999 $55 / $27.50
$20,000 - $499,999 $110 / $55
$500,000 - $1,999,999 $500 / $250
$2,000,000 - $4,999,999 $1,200 / $600
$5,000,000 or more $2,400 / $1,200
Branch location $10 per location

Additional Resources:
 Washington State Licensing Service
 King County Business Licensing
 City of Seattle Business Licensing

Permitting and Code Enforcement

The Department of Local Services (DLS) Permitting Division is responsible for

regulating and permitting all major building and land use activity in unincorporated King

County. This includes reviewing, approving, and inspecting land use and development proposals

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in compliance with the King County Building and Construction Standards. Furthermore, the

division investigates all code violations in response to complaints. Residents may apply for

permits through the Department of Local Services website or at the DLS office located in

Snoqualmie, WA.

The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) would assume all

permitting and code enforcement duties from the DLS. The City of Seattle maintains its own

Residential and Building codes, which differ in some areas from King County regulations. The

level of code enforcement would improve due to the greater resources at the disposal of the

SDCI, which operates on a budget of $84 million while employing over 397 employees. In

contrast, the DLS handles over 2,000 violations per year on an operating budget of $30 million

(2019-2020), with a staff of 71. Minor code violations involving RV screens, car blocks, and

shed permits are more likely to be cited following annexation.

Additional Resources:
 SDCI List of Permits Issued
 SDCI Permit Fees

Building Inspections

Once a construction permit has been approved, new development in King County and

Seattle must undergo a series of inspections to ensure its compliance with the approved plans and

building codes. The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections carries out inspections

for the city, which it divides into smaller districts to assign inspectors. Inspections may be

scheduled online through the SDCI website or by phone call. All costs are covered through

permit fees. The King County Department of Licensing currently handles 25,800 residential and

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9,600 commercial building inspections per year throughout unincorporated King County, costing

an average of $372 per inspection.

In addition to construction, site development, electrical, and specialty building

inspections, the SDCI conducts rental inspections in accordance with the city’s Rental

Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO). This ordinance seeks to ensure the quality of

Seattle’s rental housing by establishing and enforcing basic safety and maintenance

requirements. Property owners a required to pay a base registration fee currently set at $70, with

a fee of $15 for each additional unit. Registration remains valid for two years, at which point it

must be renewed and the fee is repaid. Registered properties are subject to an inspection once

every 5-10 years. Owners are notified when their property is selected for inspection and may hire

a city or private inspector.

Additional Resources:
 Seattle Inspections
 King County Inspections
 RRIO Webpage
 RRIO Fees

Zoning

New development in North Highline must adhere to the Unincorporated King County

Zoning Code. Municipalities within King County are given jurisdiction over land use and zoning

within their boundaries. Upon annexation, Seattle plans to change the existing land use and

zoning classifications to match the closest category under the city’s Municipal Zoning Code. The

following table, included in the 2014 Notice of Intention for Annexation, pairs current zoning

designations with their equivalent districts under Seattle’s code. Please see Figure 2 in the

Appendix for a detailed zoning map of the North Highline area.

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Unincorporated King County Zoning City of Seattle Comparable Zoning

Districts
R4: Residential, 4 units per acre
R6: Residential, 6 units per acre
R8: Residential, 8 units per acre
R12: Residential, 12 units per acre
R18: Residential, 18 units per acre
R24: Residential, 24 units per acre
R48: Residential, 48 units per acre
NB: Neighborhood Business with 8
residential units per acre
CB: Community Business
O: Office
I: Industrial
Districts
SF 9600: Single Family, 4.5 units per acre
SF 7200: Single Family, 6 units per acre
SF 5000: Single Family, 8.6 units per acre
No Multifamily zone with this low of density
LR1: Multifamily, 26 units per acre
LR2: Multifamily, 39 units per acre
LR3: Multifamily, 45 units per acre
NC3: with residential density of 90 units per
acre
NC65: with residential density of 150 units
per acre
SM65: with residential density of 150 units
per acre
General Industrial 2

Shifting from King County zoning guidelines to Seattle’s would be a relatively simple

transition, with roughly equivalent categories for each designation. However, for the most part,

Seattle’s zones would allow for higher residential densities and more mixed use development.

Design guidelines for unincorporated areas are laid out under Title 21A of the King County

Code. This would be replaced with Seattle’s own citywide design guidelines and all new

development would have to go through the city design review board process. The city would

likely begin a neighborhood planning review of the North Highline area following annexation to

align zoning laws, regulations, and plans.

Upon annexation, the city aims to incorporate White Center into the Westwood/Highland

park Residential Urban Village and parts of Glendale into the South Park Urban Village. These

areas would then be included under the neighborhood plans of their respective urban villages.

Residents would be invited to participate in the process of creating and updating neighborhood

goals in the Seattle Comprehensive Plan. Specific neighborhood design guidelines could also be

implemented to manage development in the area. Under the city’s new Mandatory Housing

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Affordability (MHA) plan, urban villages throughout Seattle have been targeted for up-zoning to

increase density. This would likely be proposed in a plan for the White Center commercial core

at which point it would be subject to public input and review

Court Services

Annexation would provide North Highline residents with access to the Seattle Municipal

Court system, which would settle misdemeanor cases coming out of the area. Felonies and Small

claims would continue to go to the King County district court. Both courts are located in

Downtown Seattle. By relieving stress on King County courts, the justice system can better

address cases coming from North Highline.

Political Representation

North Highline is part of King County’s 8th Council District, which includes about

240,000 total constituents. The council serves as the local government for unincorporated King

County, but also provides services by contract for municipal residents and approves regulations

and policy for all of King County. The council holds weekly meetings at the King County

Superior Court building.

North Highline residents would gain representation in the Seattle Municipal Government

as a result of annexation. The area would be incorporated into Seattle’s Council District 1

immediately following annexation, which currently contains nearly 90,000 constituents.

Residents would become eligible to elect their local district councilperson as well as two at-large

representatives and the mayor. Voters would continue to elect a King County councilmember to

represent their interests at the county level. In addition, voters would be eligible for Seattle’s

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democracy voucher program, which provides each Seattle voter with four $25 vouchers to donate

to any local candidate, funded through property taxes. However, all elections would still be

conducted by the county through King County Elections.

Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods provides resources for community organization

and conduct outreach to promote public involvement in governance. Some of their programs are

listed below:

o Community Engagement Coordinators: act as a liaison between the city government and
community groups
o Neighborhood Matching Fund: provides matching funding from the city for
neighborhood improvements
o Leadership development and citizen commissions
o Historic Preservation planning efforts
o Strategic initiatives to ensure equity in outreach efforts

Additional Resources:
 Seattle City Council
 King County Council
 Seattle Council District Map
 King County Department of Elections
 Seattle Department of Neighborhoods

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Annexation Impacts, Section III: Services

Fire and Emergency Services

The North Highline Fire District (KCFD #11) is a class 4 system responsible for fire and

emergency service provision in North Highline. It currently operates two stations in North

Highline, employing 24 career and 12 volunteer personnel. The District has three elected

commissioners serving six year terms and holds monthly meetings in North Highline. All

properties in the district are assessed a benefit charge, which provides a portion of the operating

income of the Fire District.

The Seattle Fire Department plans to assume all fire service upon annexation. This would

involve the incorporation of the North Highline Fire District’s equipment and personnel into the

Seattle Fire Department, which would serve the North Highline area. Station 18 would continue

to run and would be equipped to the standard of the SFD, staffed 24 hours a day with 4

firefighters/EMTs. SFD Station 26, located in the South Park neighborhood of Seattle, would

assume coverage over the Glendale area of North Highline, significantly increasing fire and

emergency response times. The resources of the SFD, a class 2 department, would be available in

response to fire or emergency in North Highline. This higher rating could possibly lower

insurance rates for properties in North Highline. All costs would be covered in property taxes and

the benefit change currently paid to the NHFD would be eliminated, as the district would no

longer exist.

Additional Resources:
 North Highline Fire District
 Seattle Fire Department Map
 Fire Department Class Rating Explained

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Police

North Highline lies within Precinct 4 of the King County Sheriff’s office. The only police

infrastructure in North Highline are two small storefront locations, so heavier incidents require

sheriff dispatches from Burien and other areas in King County. The police presence is limited to

2 shifts of 2 officers each, with an additional sheriff contracted by the King County Public

Housing Authority to patrol the Greenbridge development.

Following annexation, the Seattle Police Department would expand their jurisdiction over

North Highline. Police service would be provided by the nearby Southwest Precinct of the SPD,

located at 2300 SW Webster Street, about four minutes from the northern edge of North

Highline. The City has pledged to hire 50 full time employees, including 34 new officers, to

serve the North Highline area alongside existing personnel based in the SW Precinct. Any

current sheriffs and deputies at risk of losing their positions would receive priority as part of

these new hires. All police funding would be covered through property taxes.

There are real concerns as to the effects of increased police presence around issues of

police overreach and division with the community. The SPD operates several community

policing programs to help address these issues. These include Micro Community Policing Plans

(MCPP), which rely upon community engagement with the police to develop strategies for

meeting the specific needs of a neighborhood. Seattle Police are required to wear body cameras,

and the Department operates a biannual Community Police Academy, which educate the public

on the current efforts of the police and provide a venue to receive community feedback. The City

also operates an appointed 21-member Community Police Commission mandated with upholding

the SPD’s 2012 settlement with the Department of Justice while providing community oversight

and ensuring accountability.

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Additional Resources:
 SPD Community Policing
 Seattle Community Police Commission

Power

Power is currently provided by Seattle City Light and would continue to be following

annexation. Residents would see a reduction in their base charge due to the slightly reduced rates

charged for customers in Seattle. Eligible customers may also qualify for a 60% discount on their

bill through the city’s Utility Discount Program. However, it is difficult to estimate an exact

change in the billing rate. The city’s utility tax on City Light is reflected in resident’s electricity

bill and is based off usage, which may differ drastically among customers. Seattle City Light

maintains and operates streetlights in North Highline and would continue to do so.

Current Rate 2019 2020 Seattle Rate 2019 2020

Base Service Charge per day $ 0.1885 $ 0.1934 Base Service Charge per day $ 0.1778 $ 0.1824
First Block per kWh* $ 0.0948 $ 0.1079 First Block per kWh* $ 0.0902 $ 0.1004
End Block per kWh** $ 0.1391 $ 0.1391 End Block per kWh ** $ 0.1326 $ 0.1326

Water

North Highline’s water supply is drawn from the City of Seattle through Seattle Public

Utilities. However, most residents are directly served by King County Water District 20, the

boundaries of which extend southward into Burien. District 20 is governed by an elected board

of commissioners and holds monthly board meetings. The full extent of the district is shown in

the following map:

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Following annexation, Seattle would enter into discussions to assume water service in the

area of North Highline serviced by Water District 20. This could lead to two main outcomes. The

first would be the City reaching a franchise agreement to incorporate the North Highline portion

of District 20 into Seattle Public Utilities. Alternatively, the City may decide to contract out

water services to District 20, assuming incorporation would incur costs, and decide to take on

service provision at a later date. For residents outside of District 20, there would be no major

change to service provision, however, they would pay a reduced rate on their water bills as

residents of Seattle. Additionally, the rates charged by SPU are slightly lower than those of

District 20, with eligible customers receiving a 50% discount through the Utility Discount

Program. A cost comparison is shown in the following tables:

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Monthly Rate

Water Pipe Diameter Inside Seattle Outside Seattle Water District 20

¾” and less (most common

$ 17.15 $ 19.55 $ 24.20
residential size)
1” $ 17.70 $ 20.20 $ 36.30

1-1/2” $ 27.25 $ 31.05 $ 72.80

2” $ 30.20 $ 34.45 $ 121.00

3” $ 111.80 $ 127.45 $ 217.80

Monthly Rate
Inside Outside Water
Seasonal Water Usage
Seattle Seattle District 20
Off-Peak usage (Sept. 16 – May 15) $ 5.27 $ 6.01 N/A
Up to 5 CCF per month during peak
$ 5.41 $ 6.17 $ 2.43
usage (May 16 – Sept 15)
Next 13 CCF per month during peak
$ 6.69 $ 7.63 $ 2.43-3.11
usage (May 16 – Sept 15)
Over 18 CCF per month during peak
$ 11.80 $ 13.45 $ 3.11-3.89
usage (May 16 – Sept 15)

Sewer

North Highline is served by two main sewer providers. Southwest Suburban Sewer

district covers the western side of the area while Valley View Sewer district is in the east.

Southwest Suburban operates three sewer treatment plants that all sewage from North Highline is

processed at. Additionally, many properties in the area only have septic service. Upon

annexation, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) would enter into discussion with the current service

providers to negotiate the eventual assumption of sewer service. SPU would likely enter into a

franchise agreement with Southwest Suburban and Valley View that would allow each to

continue providing sewer service for the next 7-10 years before their systems in North Highline

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would be incorporated fully. This agreement would also involve the conversion and integration

of all properties with septic systems. Once the City moves to fully incorporate the North

Highline sewer system, a vote will be held among residents to approve or reject this motion.

Current Sewer Service- North Highline

Black dots represent unsewered parcels

Stormwater systems and sewage controls in North Highline are maintained by the

wastewater treatment division of the King County DLS. Seattle Public Utilities would assume

this service following annexation. Both agencies charge a surface water management fee to fund

their operations. This is an annual fee assessed to all properties based on their size and usage.

The rates for both King County and Seattle are shown in the tables below:

Residential Parcel Size Seattle Rate King County Rate

Under 2000 sq. ft $169.81 $289.00
2000-2999 sq. ft $276.51 $289.00
3000-4999 sq.ft $383.43 $289.00
5000-6999 sq. ft $516.72 $289.00
7000-9999 sq. ft $652.61 $289.00

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Seattle Rate: Seattle Rate: Low King County Rate

Nonresidential property type Regular Impact (per 1000 sq. ft) (per 1000 sq. ft)
(per 1000 sq. ft)
$26.36 $289.00 per parcel or
Undeveloped: 0-15% impervious $42.62
$18.45 (10.1%)
$49.85 $18.45/$34.53
Light: 16-35% impervious $63.64
(20.1%)
$73.31 $34.53/$58.92
Medium: 36-65% $90.58
(45.1%)
Heavy: 66-85% $119.86 $82.08
Very Heavy: 86-100% $143.10 $100.99

Seattle Public Utilities also requires businesses to implement control measures to prevent

pollutants from entering the stormwater system. The Business Inspection Program conducts

regular inspections of businesses within city limits to measure their compliance with the

requirements of the Seattle Stormwater Code.

Additional Resources:
 Seattle Public Utilities- Drainage and Sewer
 King County Surface Water Management Fee
 King County Stormwater Services

Schools

All public schools in North Highline would remain within the Highline School District

following annexation. All costs and operations would remain roughly the same. However,

students would receive the additional benefits under the City of Seattle’s family and education

levy. This would provide additional funding for school health services, school and community

based investments, and early childhood learning opportunities, funded through property taxes.

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Libraries

The King County Library system operates the two libraries within North Highline’s

boundaries. This includes the newly built White Center library and the small, non-circulating

branch in Greenbridge. These libraries would be incorporated into the Seattle Public Library

system following an agreement with King County Library for transferal. Residents could keep

their King County library card and use other KC libraries but would gain access to over 2.4

million books and other items in circulation in the Seattle Public Library system through the

White Center library. Residents would no longer have to pay into the King County Library levy,

and all costs associated with the Seattle Library system would be covered through property taxes.

Health

Public Health- Seattle and King County (PHSKC) is the main provider of public

healthcare to residents of both King County and Seattle. It operates the White Center Public

Health Center in addition to many other health centers around King County. North Highline

residents have access to these services regardless of annexation status, however, they will receive

certain enhanced services as Seattle residents that are not currently available to them. King

County and Seattle contribute almost equally to the funding of the PHSKC, which is covered by

property taxes from collected by both governments. To learn more, visit the PHSKC website.

Parks

All five of the public parks in North Highline are operated by the King County

Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP). Four of the five would be immediately

incorporated into the Seattle Parks Department following annexation, which would manage their

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operation. The City will enter separate discussion regarding the assumption of Steve Cox park,

which is currently undergoing a capital improvement project. Residents will pay into the Seattle

Parks levy and the recently created Seattle Park District as a portion of their property taxes.

Roads

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) would assume responsibility over all

county-owned roads, bridges and related infrastructure in North Highline following annexation.

This includes all roadways, bridges, drainage facilities, traffic control devices, and roadside

features like shoulders and sidewalks. These are currently maintained by the King County Road

Services Division of the Department of Local Services (website). This change would eliminate

the county roads levy from North Highline property taxes, instead drawing funding for SDOT’s

road services through the general city levy.

Animal Services

The Seattle Animal Shelter would assume all pet licensing, animal control, and fee

collection responsibilities from the Regional Animal Services of King County. The Animal

Shelter operates out of their location in the Interbay area of Seattle. Animal control officers based

out of the shelter are responsible for enforcing code violations and responding to complaints.

Complaints may be submitted through an online service request form or by calling the shelter

during daytime hours 7 days a week. Seattle’s animal control covers a smaller geographic area

and population than King County’s, indicating greater response capacity.

The City of Seattle requires certain pets to be licensed. Licenses cost $26 for altered cats

and $37 for dogs and are valid for a year before requiring renewal. In addition, the city enforces

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a leash law for most pets within city limits, the violation of which results in a mounting fee. Pet-

related regulations and fees are outlined in sections 9.25 and 9.26 of the Seattle Municipal Code.

Additional Resources:
 Regional Animal Services of King County
 Seattle Animal Shelter

Housing

The King County Housing Authority (KCHA) operates the Greenbridge housing project,

which provides subsidized senior and low income housing to over 3,000 North Highline

residents. Following annexation, the KCHA would negotiate an agreement with the Seattle

Housing Authority (SHA) that would allow them to retain ownership of Greenbridge but limit

their operating range to the former boundaries of North Highline. Both the KCHA and SHA are

independent authorities which are funded exclusively through federal grants and tenant rents.

Section 8 recipients in North Highline see their provider change to the SHA per the agreement

reached but will not see a change to the benefits received.

Homeowners and renters alike will become eligible for housing services through the

Seattle Office of Housing. This agency offers a variety of resources to help homeowners avoid

foreclosure and weatherize their homes. It provides information to help renters find affordable

housing, understand their rights, and buy a home through the Homeownership Assistance

Program. The City of Seattle provides a number of incentives for developers to build affordable

housing, which is been further emphasized through the Mandatory Housing Affordability plan.

The Office of Housing receives much of its funding through the Housing Levy, which is paid

into as part of residents’ property taxes.

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Additional Resources:
 King County Housing Authority
 Seattle Housing Authority
 Seattle Office of Housing
 Seattle Mandatory Housing Affordability Plan

Solid Waste

Both Seattle and King County contract out waste disposal services to Waste Management

(WM), which offers on street residential and commercial pickup. However, the City of Seattle

requires curbside food and yard waste pickup in addition to garbage and recycling. The

residential service rates for customers in the City of Seattle are shown in the table below:

Curb or Alley* Backyard* Yardwaste Yardwaste

Service Level (weekly)
(per month) (per month) (per month) Weight Limit
12-gallon can $24.25 $6.40 20 pounds
20-gallon can $29.70
32-gallon can $38.65 $54.00 $9.60 60 pounds
64-gallon can $77.25 $108.20
96-gallon can $115.90 $162.25 $12.30 180 pounds
Extra waste (per 60 lbs) $12.00 $6.15
Special Pickup Fee $47.37 $47.37
*Includes garbage and recycling pickup

Service rates in Seattle are generally higher than those currently charged in North

Highline. This extends to dumpster rates needed for many multifamily, commercial, and

industrial buildings. Tenants may see this change reflected in their rents. The full rates are

available at the SPU website.

Additional Resources:
 Waste Management- South King County
 Seattle Public Utilities- Garbage Collection
 King County Solid Waste Division

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Additional Services

Telephone, Internet and Gas Service would continue to be provided by Comcast and

Puget Sound Energy at similar rates.

King County Metro and Sound Transit will continue to operate transit routes in North

Highline. Both are funded through levies already being paid into by North Highline residents

through property taxes.

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Conclusion

Summary

Property Tax: Reduced slightly, breakdown would shift to fund City programs
Utility Tax: Increases private utility rates, also based off usage
Sales Tax: Slight increase by 0.1%
Business Tax: Slight increase for larger businesses in addition to state taxes
Sweetened Beverage Tax: Increases cost of beverages, lower demand for retailers

Laws and Ordinances: Adopt Seattle Municipal Code, small changes in regulations
Business Licensing: SDCI provides licenses, greater licensing requirement, increased fees
Permitting: Adopt Seattle building codes, SDCI provides permits, greater code enforcement
Building Inspections: SDCI conducts inspections, RRIO requirements for landlords
Zoning: Shift to Seattle zoning guidelines, create urban village plans, public involvement in planning
process
Court Services: Misdemeanors cases handled by Seattle Municipal court
Political Representation: Gain City Council representation, community governance support from
Department of Neighborhoods programs

Fire: SFD incorporates Fire District 11, increased resources and response time, benefit charge eliminated
Police: SPD patrols the area from SW precinct, increased police presence
Power: City Light continues to provide, slightly reduced rates
Water: SPU continues to provide, slightly reduced rates, agreement between SPU and District 20
Sewer: Franchise agreement between SPU and current providers, Seattle Surface Water Management Fee
implemented, Business inspection program
School: Remain in Highline School District, access to Family and Education Levy
Libraries: SPL incorporates existing libraries, access to SPL circulation, KC Library levy eliminated
Health: Enhanced services provided by PHSKC clinics, covered in property tax
Parks: Seattle Parks and Rec incorporates King County parks in the area
Roads: SDOT assumes management from King County DLS, County road levy eliminated
Animal Services: Seattle Animal Shelter assumes permitting and animal control from Regional Animal
Services of King County
Housing: KCHA continues to provide low income housing, Seattle Office of Housing programs available
Solid Waste: WM continues to provide, service costs increase, yard waste pickup required

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Key Issues

The Seattle Municipal Government provides a greater variety of services at a much

greater extent than King County can offer. Seattle has fully developed programs offering a

multitude of services in economic development, community planning, civil rights and equity,

education and employment, housing, sustainability, and cultural outreach that cater to a more

urban set of needs. Existing services would be provided at a higher quality across the board. This

is due to the greater revenue generating ability and organizational capacity of municipal

government. King County has been an advocate for the annexation of urban unincorporated areas

for this reason. Furthermore, the tax burden on the average North Highline household would

remain nearly the same, if not decrease slightly.

On the other hand, several impacts of annexation could lead create negative results if not

managed properly. North Highline would be entering into a large city with centers of established

wealth and political power. As one of the least wealthy areas of the city, located on its periphery,

North Highline could see its needs overlooked by the City Government, despite efforts for

greater equity in outreach. This factor, along with the City’s pro-density efforts could make the

area much more vulnerable to the effects of greater development and resulting displacement.

Finally, Seattle’s regulatory and tax structure is more demanding on businesses than the King

County system. The business community may voice opposition to annexation, especially owners

of larger businesses in the area.

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Appendix

Figure 1: Full Property Tax Breakdown

Levy Rate (per Current Current Senior Post- Post Annexation

$1000 assessed Regular Citizen/Exempt Annexation Senior
value) Rate Rate Regular Rate Citizen/Exempt
Rate
Total 11.63614 6.8666 10.97777 5.58815
County/State 3.97094 3.13442 3.97094 3.13442
City 2.22916 1.78251

Road 1.87677 1.87677 0.09 0.09

School 3.8928 3.8928
Fire 1.00 1.00 0.02 0.02
Library 0.37441 0.33419 0.04 0.04
EMS 0.21762 0.21762 0.21762 0.21762
Flood 0.0966 0.0966 0.0966 0.0966
Sound Transit 0.207 0.207 0.207 0.207
Other 0.21365 0.21365

Figure 2: Current North Highline Zoning Map

DU: Dwelling Unit

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Figure 3: Seattle-King County Program Comparison

Seattle Program Personnel Budget King County Equivalent Personnel Budget
Dept. Finance and Admin. Services- Business Liscensing 16 DLS-Permitting Division 71 30,890,768.00
Dept. Finance and Admin. Services- Seattle Animal Shelter 34 $5,855,584 DES/RALS- Regional Animal Services of KC 25 15,457,987.00
Human Services Department 390 $198,255,000 DCHS- Department of Community and Human Services 309 282,306,252.00
Law Department 199 $30,382,000 DJA- Department of Judicial Administration 162 48,938,476.00
Office for Civil Rights 31 $4,865,000 KCEO- Office of Equity and Social Justice 5 4,073,954.00
Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs 37 $14,907,000 4Culture- Cultural Development Authority 7,753,000.00
Office of Economic Development 36 $10,683,000 N/A 1
Office of Housing 46 $69,353,000 DCHS- HCD- Housing Finance.Housing Rehabilitation Programs 14 94,322,466.00
Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs 10 $5,278,000 KCEO- Office of Equity and Social Justice 5 4,073,954.00
Office of Planning and Community Development 45 $13,305,000 DCHS- HCD- Community Development Program 4 8,177,700.00
Office of Sustainability and Environment 32 $7,985,000 DNRP- Strategic Climate Action Plan
Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections 397 $84,935,000 DLS-Permitting Division 68 30,890,768.00
SDCI- Code Compliance 4 $9,415,249 DLS-Code Enforcement 8
Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning 97 $103,704,000 DCHS- Employment and Education Resources 20 34,635,978.00
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods 47 $13,700,000 DCHS- HCD- Community Development Program 4 8,177,700.00
SDN- Historic Preservation 8 $1,115,613 DNRP- Historic Preservation Program 3 1,178,718.00
Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation 1002 $237,981,000 DNRP- Parks and Recreation Division (PARKS) 227 48,493,753.00
Seattle Department of Transportation 933 $619,152,000 DLS- Roads Services Division 167 216,414,023.00
SDOT- Road Levy $155,000,000

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