Annexing into Kent? Reader is not so sure

There are more questions than answers regarding the proposed annexation of the Panther Lake area to the City of Kent. I reside within the proposed annexation area and operate a small business there. I am not convinced I will be better off as a resident of Kent.

I am learning about this issue quite late in the process because I was under the impression that it did not include my property. This was based on a very old mailing regarding the proposal. I have received nothing from the City of Kent or the County to lead me to believe differently.

My first inkling was an article in the October issue of the The Business Report. I am out of the Kent Reporter delivery area so do not get your publication.

Since learning that Soos Creek is the Eastern boundary and I reside within the annexation area, I have been in a race to catch up with the proposal.

After several days and many hours of research I have come to the conclusion that the available information is sparse and conflicting.

My concerns are: This annexation will only cost taxpayers more money and possibly cause some businesses to move or close due to City regulations. With that in mind, I have calculated my expected additional costs.

1. The 6 percent utility tax on electric, gas and telephone will cost me $243.72 per year based on 2007 costs and a mild winter. We are very conservative in utility usage.

2. Mandatory garbage pickup (we haul to the dump) will cost me $100.56 for one can pickup a month and I will still be going to the dump for excess garbage generated by my home-based business. Don’t pay and they will attach a lien on your property.

3. Business license for my home business $25 per year.

4. Drainage fee of $8.75 per month or $105 per year. Conservative total: $474.28-plus per year. This effectively wipes out any possible property-tax savings.

5. Kent Code regulations relating the keeping of domestic animals and pets. (I own several horses and barn cats.)

6. Kent Fire Codes that may affect my business.

I think that people really need time to look into the City of Kent Codes as well as the issues I outlined to see how this will affect their current lifestyle and pocket book. Also how it will affect a business owner – no matter how small or large – located in the annexation area.

Annexation proponents say that services will improve by being annexed to the city. I am not certain of this. I have lived at the same address in unincorporated King County since 1975. I have never had any problem getting fire or police to my home in a timely manner. However my daughter, a Kent resident, has had several instances of delayed response from the Kent Police.

Also, last winter when the heavy rain and flooding caused Lake Meridian to rise suddenly the City of Kent opened the overflow control on the South end of the Lake and flooded my daughter’s property in 2-3 feet of water (as well as several others) with no warning whatsoever. This flooding had also happened about 11 years ago. That mini disaster resulted in the capital improvement designed to supposedly control the overflow into the ditches that drain from the Lake.

We had to take a truck load of gravel to her house to prevent further damage because she had no way to get out and get sandbags from the City of Kent shops on Russell Road.

She got no help from the City of Kent and only the run around. So if you think they are helpful to their citizens, better think again.

Karen Arango

Unincorporated Kent