Tom Perea lives on an island. A land-locked island. One surrounded on all sides by Bellevue.

But Perea is not alone; he is one of more than 5,000 residents living in three remaining unincorporated areas encased within Bellevue’s city limits. Those areas, while classified as Bellevue addresses on letters and bills, are enclosed by bureaucratic walls that disqualify them from city services, instead forcing them to rely on the ever-dwindling amenities provided by King County.

“King County has huge problems fiscally,” Perea said. “They would love nothing more than for us to be incorporated into the city. We’re down to almost no police coverage.”

But thanks to efforts from Perea and other residents to push for representation, that existence for residents of Eastgate, Hilltop/Horizon View and Tamara Hills may soon come to an end.

The Bellevue City Council took the first step toward adding the remaining unincorporated areas Monday, by unanimously supporting a new annexation program.

The annexation would allow the city to collect taxes on those residents and extend services such as police, fire and utilities.

The proposed annexation area possesses 5,554 residents living in 2,123 homes on 750 acres. Those homes reach a total of more than $1 billion in additional assessed value.

Though it will allow Bellevue to expand its tax base, the annexation will have more than $1 million estimated cost exceeding the new revenue. But, a small loophole exists until 2015 where cities can use sales tax revenue to offset shortfalls caused by annexation. This rule allows the state to collect less of the existing tax revenue and divert extra dollars to the city. Council members saw the need to act quickly, so as to use the tax break.

“We will have a net deficit on the operating side, but we’re going to get continuing pressure to annex anyway,” said councilmember Grant Degginger. “So we should take advantage of this opportunity of the next 10 years.”

Should annexation occur, the new Bellevue residents will receive an upgrade in city services, and cheaper property taxes (Bellevue charges $7.89 per thousand of assessed value, while the county charges $10.26). Utility prices would be higher, but the end result is still a major savings for residents.

Bellevue previously attempted in 1990 to annex the Eastgate area, which represents 4,967 of the new residents, with a vote passing easily. But when it became apparent that residents would be forced to pay off some of the city’s bond debt, the people voted it down and Bellevue declined to continue with the annexation process.

Interim Planning Director Dan Stroh said annexation will still retain a condition of paying a portion of the city’s bond debt, but because of a significant savings from lower property taxes, the new Bellevue residents won’t see much difference, if any, in their bills.

This time around, Perea said, annexation has more momentum in the city-less areas. Perea has worked with other residents to lobby Bellevue to begin the process. Perea said he’s constantly asked by residents hungry for more coverage when they will finally get to be a part of Bellevue.

“Pretty much everywhere I go throughout the neighborhood that’s one of the first things they want to talk about,” he said.

Residents’ meetings with the city began over a year ago, Perea said, but they had been on the shelf while Bellevue pushed through the budget process. But now, with the process finished, all involved have highlighted the importance of getting these 5,500 people the services their neighbors receive.

“The citizens in this area live in Bellevue,” said councilmember Claudia Balducci. “They’re mailing addresses say Bellevue. I think it’s about time we bring them into the fold.”

With the council’s support of the annexation, the staff now will go out into the area and survey the populations of the areas to be annexed. Staff will seek to gain a majority approval, so it can be brought back to the council for approval. A final ordinance would come back to council April 2012 for decision.