The last of three annexation meetings in the PAA neighborhoods was more of the same – a speculative sales pitch by the city on services, cost, and unanswered questions. The absence of specifics still prevailed.

On services, the PAA is being promised that they will receive the same services as Kirkland. That’s not saying much because the City is reducing it services because of the current $8 million shortfall. By the time annexation takes place, the PAA will not be getting what they thought. They also will end up paying more for less. In the meantime, services to the PAA will be provided by borrowing and thereby diluting resources from the City until the additional 124 new employees can be hired and facilities provided. That will take two years or more.

On cost, the City failed to address how their budget increases will impact a citizen’s budget especially those on fixed income. The City has increased their budget an average of 11.49 percent per year while the COLA only increased by 3.03 percent over the same period. The rate is three times more than what seniors get to maintain their quality of life. If allowed to continue, it will force people out of their homes. When asked at the meeting how the city will address that problem, the City Manager only said the city is responsible for balancing the budget. He did not say how he would ease the impact on seniors. The 70 percent increase in population and size will require about a 70 percent increase in the city’s budget. Where’s the money going to come from?

On unanswered questions, many of the changes such as zoning, building codes, gambling, and jail sighting will have to be addressed by some future decisions left up to Council, a political process of uncertainty. The PAA knows what it has. It doesn’t know what it’s getting.

When it comes to annexation, the annexation meetings in the PAA were designed to avoid controversy, to put the people asleep, and to numb their senses on questionable issues. In order to stay aware of what will happen if annexation occurs, it calls for the people to take a heavy dose of political No-Doz between now and the election.

Robert L. Style, Kirkland