They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Maybe so, but for south Bellevue residents who live in pockets of unincorporated King County an upcoming decision amounts to that.
Four areas, each of them surrounded by Bellevue, have the chance to annex to the city. Saying “yes” doesn’t get any better – or easier.
The areas, Eastgate, Hilltop, Horizon View and Tamara Hill, seem as if they are part of Bellevue, but residents don’t enjoy the city benefits of nearby neighborhoods. Instead, they receive fewer benefits and – worse – pay higher taxes to boot.
The 5,554 residents in 2,123 homes there can work to change that beginning next Thursday when the city and concerned homeowners meet to mount a campaign for annexation.
The plan is to secure the signatures of property owners representing 50 percent of the assessed valuation of each area. Doing so would allow the city to annex them by April 2012.
If residents there are successful, they will pay less tax than they now pay to King County. Even better, they will receive Bellevue’s superior level or urban services, including better fire and police protection, an outstanding array of urban parks and greenbelts, transportation and neighborhood services and a host of other benefits provided by City Hall.
Some things won’t change. The areas still will belong and pay taxes to their local school districts, the Port of Seattle, county library and Medic 1 emergency services.
However, other services will cost less in Bellevue than those provided by agencies serving unincorporated King County. The proposed annexation areas now pay extra for a road district and fire protection. Bellevue provides those services as part of its property tax.
Bottom line: the tax burden will be reduced by $467 to $1,328 per year (depending on the annexed area).
Annexation of these areas has been tried in the past, but property owners balked at having to assume their share of Bellevue’s outstanding debt and the City Council wouldn’t OK the deal without that provision.
This time it isn’t an issue – Bellevue doesn’t having any outstanding debt to be assumed.
This should be a slam dunk for South Bellevue residents. Annexation will bring better services at lower taxes.
It’s time to become part of Bellevue.
– Craig Groshart, Bellevue Reporter
