The opinions expressed here are my own.

Issaquah wants Klahanie to annex to the city. A July 9, 2013, memo from the City Administrator, Bob Harrison, to the City Council tells why, and it is all about the benefit to the City it will get from Klahanie. But what are the benefits Klahanie will get from annexing to Issaquah?

That’s a good question.

• Klahanie residents will be subject to a utility tax.
• Police service may or may not be improved over that provided to King County. When the police chief was asked at the first public meeting if this would be the case, he equivocated.
• The so-called Klahanie fire station may close. It’s owned by Sammamish and the station answers more calls to Issaquah than to Sammamish, so Sammamish is thinking about relocating it to better serve its residents.
• Klahanie gets to assume part of Issaquah’s existing debt.
• Klahanie will give the city more debt-borrowing capacity, and any new debt will be assumed by Klahanie on a pro rata basis.

Do you have doubts? Read Harrison’s letter for yourself. It’s public record. I’ve reproduced it below. Click image to enlarge.

The Boundary Review Board holds its public hearing Wednesday, September 18, 2013, at 7pm at the Holiday Inn in Issaquah.