Proposed Annexation
Proposition No. 1

BALLOT TITLE
PROPOSED ANNEXATION OF AREA A-1 TO THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST PARK
PROPOSITION NO. 1

Shall the area of unincorporated King County contiguous to the City of Lake Forest Park and commonly known as Area A-1, which is legally described in King County Ordinance No. 13055 and City of Lake Forest Park Resolution No. 523, be annexed to and become a part of the City of Lake Forest Park?

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT:

The proposed annexation will be approved if a majority of the votes cast are in favor of annexation. If approved, the area known as Area A-1, located in unincorporated King County contiguous to the City of Lake Forest Park, would become part of the City of Lake Forest Park.

STATEMENT FOR

BETTER POLICE PROTECTION
Lake Forest Park has almost double the number of police per 1000 population, which means police cars drive by your home more frequently. Their station is only 1.25 miles away, allowing quicker response times.

LARGER BUILDING LOTS MAKE MORE ATTRACTIVE NEIGHBORHOODS
Lake Forest Park, as it's name implies is a forested community. LFP requires a minimum of a 7,500 sf. lot (50% larger than Shoreline). Shoreline allows lots to be subdivided to 5000 sf. causing neighborhoods to be less attractive, adversely affecting home values and sale appeal.

LAKE FOREST PARK CAN MANAGE McALEER CREEK MORE EFFECTIVELY
Half of us live on McAleer Creek which abuts Lake Forest Park. LFP has a long standing active program to protect the creek.

GREATER ACCESS TO INFLUENCE GOVERNMENT DECISIONS WITH LESS TAXES.
A smaller city will allow your needs and questions taken care of more quickly. Your vote (voice) carries more weight in a city of 12,800 vs 51,000. LFP has adequate budget reserves that are projected to increase over the next five years. Proposed tax increases are more sensitive to public approval in a smaller city. County assessor current tax rates are $15.59 in LFP and $16.18 in Shoreline.

REBUTTAL OF STATEMENT AGAINST

The numbers don't lie, LFP's tax rate is lower. LFP's debt is a mortgage loan allowing us to own city facilities rather than lease. The LFP dispatchers are trained full-time employees. The LFP fire station is 880 yards (1/2 mi) further than Shoreline's. LFP's roads are in much better shape.
Please don't cast your vote based on misleading comments that simply are not the truth. We do deserve "something better". The facts favor LFP. Vote "YES".

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: GAYLON WHITESIDE, JOHN HAGEN, JAMES TALBOT

STATEMENT AGAINST

Highest Taxes: No city in this state has raised taxes at a faster rate than LFP, because they found a loophole to raise taxes higher than the maximum limit. City officials said the city needs more money, and taxes are going up again.
Police: Half the city budget goes to police, but they still must use part-time volunteers. The volunteer emergency dispatcher also handles the 24 hour complaint window, and could be busy when you have an emergency.
Fire: Today the Shoreline fire department protects us. They are one mile away, and travel downhill to reach us. LFP fire trucks are twice as far away, and must travel uphill, when roads are open.
Repair Delays: The tiny city of LFP lacks the political clout to get things done. After the big storm, Shoreline had its road repaired in a few months, but LFP took almost two years for a similar repair.
Debts: The city council has issued millions of dollars in bonds without a citizen vote. Your tax dollars will REpay that debt.
We deserve something better. Vote NO to LFP.

REBUTTAL OF STATEMENT FOR

A complicated state law requires LFP to have a balance of large lots and crowded areas. Their goal is to protect existing large lots by annexing land to become the crowded areas. That's why they want us.
LFP has a poor record with sensitive wetlands. Their shopping center and fire station are all built on wetlands!
Shoreline taxes are lower overall, because LFP adds extra items to the basic tax bill.

STATEMENT PREPARED BY: MICHAEL KRAFT

Complete Text of Proposition No. 1

KING COUNTY
ORDINANCE NO. 13055

AN ORDINANCE establishing the date of an election on the question of annexation to the City of Lake Forest Park concerning an area known as Area A-1, and declaring an emergency.

FINDINGS OF FACT:

1. The city of Lake Forest Park received petitions signed by forty-seven registered voters requesting to be annexed into that city from Area A-1 as more fully described in Exhibit A (legal description revised January 9, 1998) included with city of Lake Forest Park Resolution 523 attached to this ordinance in accordance with chapter 35A.14 RCW.
2. Resolution 523 satisfies the provisions of chapter 35A.14 RCW for qualification for annexation.
3. The city of Lake Forest Park, by Resolution 523, called for a special election on May 19, 1998 to consider the question of the proposed annexation of the area known as Area A-1.
4. Since the King County boundary review board received no request for review as specified in chapter 36.93 RCW, on February 6, 1998 the Review Board, in file 2012, deemed the proposed city of Lake Forest Park - A-1 annexation file approved.
5. Pursuant to chapter 29.13 RCW and chapter 35A.14 RCW, the council deems an emergency exists for the purpose of calling a special election.

EXHIBIT A
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
(Revised January 9, 1998)

Annexation Area A-1
LFP File No. 97-2
BRB File No. 2012
Beginning at a point approximately 230' south and 100' west of the east quarter corner of Section 5, Township 26, Range 4 being the intersection of the easterly margin of 15th Ave NE and the city limits of the Shoreline; thence northerly along the easterly margin of 15th Ave NE to the southerly margin of NE 196th Street, thence northeasterly along the southerly margin of NE 196th Street to the intersection with the city limits of Lake Forest Park being a point approximately 35' southwest of the northeast corner of lot 3, Block 2, Rose Addition Division No. 1, Volume 34, Page 19 Records of King County, Washington; then southeasterly and westerly following the city limits of Lake Forest Park to the city limits of Shoreline being a point approximately 34' south of the northwest corner of lot 3 of KCSP 776026, A.F. 7806270830; thence northwesterly along the city limits of Shoreline to the point of beginning.

NOTE: The Division of Records and Elections is not authorized to edit statements, nor is it responsible for their contents.

Updated: May 8, 1998