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In order to adequately assess the merits of annexation proposals, the following information should be gathered, analyzed and presented during city consideration of annexation proposals. This information, together with a similar analysis of the impacts on property owners within the area being proposed for annexation, should be made publicly available, and should be made available to the boundary review board.

A. Statistical Data. Necessary facts including acreage; number of residential units; businesses; industries; estimated population; street mileage, paved and unpaved; assessed valuations; existing utility services; existing parks and playgrounds; schools and public buildings.

B. Maps. Preparation of maps to show present and proposed city boundaries relative to the urban service area, general land use patterns, existing and proposed land use designations, present major trunk water mains and proposed extensions, present sewer interceptors and proposed extensions, existing streets, and existing public areas such as playgrounds and schools.

C. Existing Public Services. Existing public services should be surveyed and evaluated. Affected special districts should be conferred with to assess the impact of annexation. The city should work cooperatively with those special districts to determine the most rational and cost-effective means for providing services to newly annexed areas on both a short and long-term basis, within parameters allowed in state statutes Chapters 35.13, 35.13A, 35A.14, 39.34, 52.08, 52.22, 56.04, and 57.04 RCW. The methods of providing such services should be described, and their costs determined. These would include: police protection, fire protection, water service, sewage collection and disposal, garbage disposal, street maintenance, street lighting, storm sewers, animal control, planning, building inspection, public health protection, recreation, and library services.

D. Urban Services Needs. Urban services such as sanitary sewers, storm sewers, streets, police and fire protection, park and recreational facilities and services should all be analyzed for the need for major capital improvements as well as annual operating needs.

Service needs should be evaluated by priority of importance. In determining such priorities, prevailing sentiments of residents in the area should be considered. These prioritized needs should be incorporated into the city’s capital improvement program if the proposed annexation is effected.

E. Special Issues. Any special circumstances created by the proposed annexation area should be discussed. This may include infrastructure, public health or public safety problems which the city may or may not be able to cost-effectively resolve, and potential impacts to the city due to development within proposed annexation areas at the expense of other developable areas within the city.

F. Service Requirement Costs. Estimated service requirements should be converted into financial requirements to determine the cost of extending or improving services. Needs and costs should be estimated for five years from the time of annexation, projecting a rate of growth which would also be used for projecting revenue estimates. Considerations of service costs should include:

1. Police protection: additional personnel, equipment, police station;

2. Fire protection: additional personnel, equipment, hydrants, fire stations;

3. Public works: additional street lighting, maintenance, construction, storm drainage, garbage collection, water and sewer construction and maintenance (including line replacement, pump stations);

4. Parks and recreation: additional park acreage, recreational programs, new facilities;

5. Other city governmental services such as: library, animal control, planning, building inspection, social service programs.

G. Estimate of Revenues. An estimate of potential revenues to accrue from the area should be made, and projected over a five-year period. Existing methods of raising revenue that the city now has should be applied to the area being considered for annexation. These would include property taxes, state shared revenues, sales taxes, federal revenue sharing, business and occupation taxes, utility taxes, inspection and license fees, planning and zoning charges.

H. Cost-Revenue Analysis. The anticipated revenues should be compared with anticipated costs, including both projected additional annual operating expenses and major capital expenses. The cost-revenue analysis should be projected for five years in order to gain an understanding of the impact which development of the newly annexed area would have.

I. Community Identity. The nature of the area proposed for annexation relative to surrounding unincorporated areas as well as to adjacent city areas should be considered as well. [Ord. 9461 § 4, 1985].