Annexation approved by City Council
Published on Wed, Nov 18, 2009 by Carmell EmoryRead More Local News
On Monday, November 9, Marysville City Council members fulfilled the final phase of the city's Urban Growth Area by voting 6-1 to annex 2,847 acres of land in central Marysville.
Councilman Lee Phillips cast the lone dissenting vote.
In the months leading up to the council vote, the city held a series of town halls and public meetings to hear citizen concerns and share the city's vision. Although a few citizens decried the city's decision to annex the area without allowing property owners to vote, there was very little opposition to the move.
Adding the area to the city increases Marysville's population to more than 57,000, making it the second largest city in Snohomish County.
Mayor Kendall is excited about the annexation, stating, "It's taken a long time and it is good to see it come into play. It is great to get these people into the city where they can have better services and they will have a voice in their own city."
Kendall has been working on the initiative since he first took office about six years ago.
City officials claim the annexation offers many benefits for the 19,000 people in the affected area's boundaries. The city can provide newly annexed citizens with police and fire services, including a municipal court and jail, a protective leash law for dogs, the ability to purchase permits from the city versus Snohomish County, cheaper water and sewer utility rates inside the city limits, lower property taxes, and the ability to vote and participate in local government elections and events.
These services, however, come with a price tag. Taxes on utilities, phone, gas and electric services will increase by 5 percent, based on state law requiring cities to raise these rates. Municipal policies allow eligible seniors to receive a 100 percent rebate of this tax.
The city also maintains different building, construction and remodeling codes than those of Snohomish County.
The formal annexation will go into effect on December 30 of this year, following a census survey to determine the exact population. The city will receive a state sales tax rebate for the next 10 years, based on each 10,000 population, so planners are crossing their fingers that the count reveals more than 20,000 residents instead of the estimated 19,000-plus.
For more information about the Central Marysville Annexation, citizens can contact the Community Development Department at (360) 363-8100 or visit the city's Web site at www.marysvillewa.gov.
Councilman Lee Phillips cast the lone dissenting vote.
In the months leading up to the council vote, the city held a series of town halls and public meetings to hear citizen concerns and share the city's vision. Although a few citizens decried the city's decision to annex the area without allowing property owners to vote, there was very little opposition to the move.
Adding the area to the city increases Marysville's population to more than 57,000, making it the second largest city in Snohomish County.
Mayor Kendall is excited about the annexation, stating, "It's taken a long time and it is good to see it come into play. It is great to get these people into the city where they can have better services and they will have a voice in their own city."
Kendall has been working on the initiative since he first took office about six years ago.
City officials claim the annexation offers many benefits for the 19,000 people in the affected area's boundaries. The city can provide newly annexed citizens with police and fire services, including a municipal court and jail, a protective leash law for dogs, the ability to purchase permits from the city versus Snohomish County, cheaper water and sewer utility rates inside the city limits, lower property taxes, and the ability to vote and participate in local government elections and events.
These services, however, come with a price tag. Taxes on utilities, phone, gas and electric services will increase by 5 percent, based on state law requiring cities to raise these rates. Municipal policies allow eligible seniors to receive a 100 percent rebate of this tax.
The city also maintains different building, construction and remodeling codes than those of Snohomish County.
The formal annexation will go into effect on December 30 of this year, following a census survey to determine the exact population. The city will receive a state sales tax rebate for the next 10 years, based on each 10,000 population, so planners are crossing their fingers that the count reveals more than 20,000 residents instead of the estimated 19,000-plus.
For more information about the Central Marysville Annexation, citizens can contact the Community Development Department at (360) 363-8100 or visit the city's Web site at www.marysvillewa.gov.
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