Voluntary Annexation a Small Part

Voluntary annexation does have a place in future growth plans for Washington. It does not, however, address Washington’s vision for the future. Voluntary annexation can result in city boundaries that more resemble a checkerboard than a city with uniform limits. What’s more, voluntary annexation can leave the city landlocked, dramatically increasing the future costs of annexation and discouraging economic growth.

Hopefully those leading the charge on annexation can show the voters that annexation is important to Washington’s future prosperity and growth. The voters should be aware that a Washington that can’t grow will predictably see increasing costs of infrastructure spread over a stagnant population.

Sound urban development is essential to residential and economic development. Voluntary annexation is only part of the puzzle, a small part.