Finally, voters in Fairwood are getting a chance to vote on something that makes financial sense.

Fairwood residents twice have said “no” to forming their own city. Leading up to those two elections, the viability of a City of Fairwood was carefully analyzed by experts and debated loudly by citizens.

No one can say that cityhood proponents weren’t given a chance to make their case. However, the majority twice recognized the financial viability of a new city was just too uncertain.

Now, on Nov. 2, Fairwood voters face another choice, whether to annex to Renton. There are two clear reasons to annex.

• King County is getting out of the business of running urban areas. That’s no surprise and it’s long overdue. It’s a regional government, not a local one. Services will continue to erode, especially from the Sheriff’s Office.

  Sheriff Sue Rahr is facing deep cuts in her budget, which if they aren’t restored, could mean that burglaries and property crimes in Fairwood and other unincorporated areas won’t be investigated as vigorously as they are now.

• Renton made a commitment to Fairwood to provide city-level services years ago when it included it as a potential annexation area. Renton will provide the financial certainty that a City of Fairwood couldn’t and a King County isn’t designed to provide.

Renton is a mature city, with a leadership that understands city revenues across the country have been reset downward. The city’s leaders are deep in thought about how to provide essential city services efficiently. And they are listening to the public about how to make those decisions.

The City Council wisely opted to let the rancor over those two incorporation elections cool off before placing the annexation to a vote of the people. In those months, tempers have cooled, although there are still strong feelings among some that if Fairwood couldn’t incorporate, it should remain unincorporated.

Finally, here is some truth-telling:

• According to a city analysis, total taxes paid by a typical Fairwood household should remain similar or decrease if annexation occurs.
• Already, foes of annexing Fairwood to Renton are using utility rate hikes as a sure sign Fairwood property owners’ costs of city services would go up if annexation occurs. The truth is the Soos Creek or Cedar River water and sewer districts will continue to provide your water and sewer services, paying that district’s rates.
• Fairwood property owners will pay a Renton utility tax, which is different than a rate charge for water or sewer.
• And, by the way, Renton city officials have absolutely NO say over how the Kent or Renton school district operates schools. If annexation occurs, your schools won’t change. That’s just basic civics.

Please base your vote on the facts, not on disinformation.

Annexation makes sense.