Battle Ground leaders must strive for creditable integrity, sound fiscal management

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The Battle Ground City Council agenda for Monday, August 6, included a public hearing regarding ordinance 2018-19, East Parkway Island Annexation.  An annexation fact sheet was mailed to the homeowners within the annexation area that discussed zoning, services (police, fire, water, streets, sewer, and schools), and taxes.  Property owners and/or interested citizens were afforded an opportunity to speak at the hearing.

I have lived in the area of concern for over 20 years, so I decided to attend the hearing to see what’s in the “package” for me.  I’m always interested in getting the biggest bang (not fireworks) for my buck.  I also thought about addressing the city council about my concerns about being annexed into the city.  Fiscal management (think taxes) is a prime concern. I thought of addressing the city’s comment regarding private streets, i.e., “private streets would remain private, and be privately maintained”  — tantamount to taxation without representation.

When the city’s community development director provided an introduction to the annexation scheme, attendees were told that the portion of NE 242nd Street between North Parkway Avenue (NE 132nd Avenue) and North Grace Avenue (NE 142nd Avenue) would be “taken over” by the City of Battle Ground.  This information contradicts the information provided in the annexation fact sheet because only that portion of NE 242nd Street between NE 139th Avenue and NE 142nd Avenue is a public road; the remaining portion of NE 242nd Street between NE 132nd Avenue and NE 139th Avenue is not a through street, and is all private road.  I am reasonably certain that the “takeover” of NE 242nd Street would not involve eminent domain, but the conflicting statements regarding the disposition of private roads did get my dander up. Question credibility and integrity. 



The city council members had their discussion regarding the proposed annexation.  One individual was very close to “take it or leave it.”  Bullying prospective citizens of the city is not the way to sell an annexation.

Bottom line: city officials should aim for creditable integrity and sound fiscal management.  These attributes will provide both current and prospective citizens of the City of Battle Ground with pride in their community.