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Reporter ISSAQUAH | SAMMAMISH
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FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015
Klahanie Annexation in the hands of voters
Two points of view on initiative powers Page 4
BY MEGAN CAMPBELL ISSAQUAH/SAMMAMISH REPORTER
A Lincoln legacy
Pickering led Washington territory at president’s request Page 5
Sports
Photo by Megan Campbell, Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter
Signs along Southeast Issaquah-Fall City Road near Pacific Cascade Middle School urge residents to vote “yes” for the Klahanie annexation on the April 28 ballot.
What will yes vote mean to you Klahanie residents will receive more services; commuters to have better roads, study says
The rock for the Eagles makes big plays Page 9
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Public works balancing $37M in capital projects
BY MEGAN CAMPBELL ISSAQUAH/SAMMAMISH REPORTER
It’s time for Klahanie residents to make a choice, which will determine the future for nearly 11,000 citizens. The vote to annex Klahanie, an unincorporated planned community on the Sammamish Plateau, into the city of Sammamish is on the April 28 special election ballot; if residents vote “yes” city officials boast benefits for Klahanie and Sammamish citizens. If annexed, Klahanie residents would have lower tax rates and receive more services; the city of Sammamish expects to gain $1.4 million annually, after subtracting additional operational costs. The city boast the additional revenue would
go into improving Issaquah-Fall City Road. The city already committed $3 million to improving the road, but this would only scratch the surface needed for the estimated $23 million project. “Many of our residents have a tough commute along Issaquah-Fall City Road,” Yazici said in a press release earlier this year. “Improving that corridor has been on our radar for a long time. Fortunately, if the Klahanie area votes in favor of the annexation, that added revenue we’ll receive will make those improvements very affordable.” If annexed, the Sammamish property tax rate, which is lower than the county’s, would apply to the area. A Klahanie resident with a $500,00 home would see property tax decrease by $420 annually, according to Butkus Consulting Inc., who the city contracted with in June 2014 to write a financial report regarding the potential annexation. If Klahanie residents vote to annex the tax decrease could take effect as early as 2016, depending on how quickly the council approves the annexation. If annexed, the Sammamish Police Department,
The Sammamish Public Works’ team is busy monitoring and developing about $36.7 million in capital projects. Director Laura Philpot outlined several smaller projects and eight major projects, focusing on engineering rather than the maintenance side of things, for the Sammamish City Council on April 7. The council identified these projects either during comprehensive plan discussions, the budget process or the January council retreat. Improvements to Sahalee Way and Snake Hill (212th Way Southeast) are the two most expensive projects, at $16.6 million and $9 million respectively. Most projects will break ground (or at least award a construction contract) by 2016, but construction to Sahalee Way will likely not break ground for two or more years. Citing public works’ workload, City Manager Ben Yazici has plead to city council SEE BALANCE, 3
Front St. overpass needs $1.2 M repair BY DANIEL NASH ISSAQUAH/SAMMAMISH REPORTER
A damaged girder on the Interstate 90 Front Street overpass will require a replacement later this year, according to the results of an investigation by state-employed bridge engineers in the aftermath of a March 13 accident. More than one month ago, the hydraulically lifted bed of a truck owned by city waste services contractor Recology Cleanscapes collided with the overpass, sending the driver to the hospital and prompting a bridge inspection from the Washington
SEE KLAHANIE, 2
SEE REPAIR, 2
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