The idea of the Klahanie Potential Annexation Area assuming Issaquah debt failed miserably in the vote tonight–60% acceptance is required–but if the vote to annex to Issaquah ultimately passes, then the Issaquah City Council has the option of going ahead with the annexation without assigning past debt to Klahanie.

The State Boundary Review Board says:

If assumption of indebtedness is proposed, the notice and proposition may be on the same ballot or be separate. Generally, a 60% majority of voters (totaling at least 40% of the total votes cast in the last preceding general election) must favor assuming indebtedness. Election requirements may vary slightly depending on circumstances and/or ballot language.

Although the debt assumption was not a separate ballot issue, as it was in 2005 (and which failed then, too), it was incorporated within this year’s ballot. The Issaquah City Council still can decide to proceed with the annexation if the final vote is 50%+1.

However, if the annexation fails to achieve 50%+1, it done. Sammamish will then go after the Potential Annexation Area by agreement with Issaquah or to demand a change and reassignment of the PAA from Issaquah to Sammamish.

Sammamish has also proposed splitting the PAA, with the southern part going to Issaquah and the majority of the remaining area going to Sammamish.