成人X站

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Bold annexation plans could push this WA city’s population beyond Spokane and Tacoma

Mar 20, 2025, 5:37 PM | Updated: 5:42 pm

Downtown Vancouver, Washington....

Downtown Vancouver, Washington. (Photo: PNWDawn via Flickr Creative Commons)

(Photo: PNWDawn via Flickr Creative Commons)

Vancouver鈥檚 population could expand into becoming the second-largest city in Washington if the city government follows through with one of its proposed annexation plans.

Four different options for annexation were presented at a this week, with three of the alternatives expanding the city’s population by 76,000, 95,000, or 171,000 people — surpassing both Spokane (229,447) and Tacoma (222,906) in overall population.

Vancouver’s population is currently 196,442 people, according to .

“I would be really looking at areas that actually have some growth potential versus (those) that are already considered to be fully developed,” Councilor Sarah Fox said during the meeting. “Some of these areas are pretty developed with homes and houses already, whereas some areas have larger parcels.”

The first annexation scenario would absorb Clark County鈥檚 Fire District 5 up to the city鈥檚 urban growth area, adding 95,000 residents. This plan would cost the city $98 million while only receiving $56 million in increased revenue, according to estimates from the city council workshop.

The second plan also comes with a $50 million deficit, absorbing its water service boundary and welcoming in approximately 76,000 new residents.

These two plans have high expected costs due to expanding police and fire services and maintaining newly acquired parks, according to , while the profits netted would come from taxes via sales, property, garbage, etc.

Vancouver not looking to become bigger ‘for the sake of being bigger’

While the city government may be excited about these expansion opportunities, giving Vancouver a “stronger voice” at Washington鈥檚 capitol, Mayor Pro Tem Erik Paulsen stated that any decision regarding annexation is not just “an opportunity to get bigger for the sake of getting bigger.”

The third option would give Vancouver the largest influx of new residents. Approximately 171,000 people would fall under Vancouver’s jurisdiction if the city takes over the metro鈥檚 full urban growth area. This annexation would accrue $145 million in revenue against $194 million in expenditures.

鈥淎nnexing residential areas frequently results in deficits because those normally don鈥檛 pay the full cost of providing the services in those areas,鈥 the city鈥檚 chief financial officer, Natasha Ramras, told the council during a Monday meeting.

The last option would only net Vancouver an extra 1,700 residents if the city annexes the area that spans from North State Route 500 to Padden Parkway. This plan would give Vancouver an estimated extra $3 million in revenue while only costing $2 million in expenditures.

Former King County Council member has message to those in unincorporated areas

Kathy Lambert, a former King County Council member, provided her analysis to 成人X站 Newsradio.

She advised anyone who lives within the unincorporated areas to question what quality of services they would be receiving in exchange.

鈥淚 would say to the people that are thinking about this, to really ask some of the powerful questions 鈥 like what will this mean for my police protection,鈥 she said.

There鈥檚 also the issue of a possibly shifting political landscape; the city council could very well shift its own electorate by deciding to add tens of thousands of voters.

Lambert questioned whether the council would need to expand and, if so, to what extent.

The proposals will likely be tied up in long discussions before any action is taken.

The proposals themselves may be amended before any voting takes place 鈥 early indications of that were seen during the meeting on Monday when Councilmember Sarah Fox asked Ramras whether her estimates accounted for future economic growth of the given unincorporated areas. Ramras indicated they did not.

Contributing: Sam Campbell, 成人X站 Newsradio

Follow Frank Sumrall .听厂别苍诲听news tips here.

MyNorthwest News

Gig Harbor fire....

成人X站 7 News Staff

Medical Examiner: Gig Harbor pair was shot, killed before bodies were found in house fire

Two bodies found in Gig Harbor fire ruled a homicide by the medical examiner amid ongoing investigations.

21 minutes ago

A road sign warns of moose (Photo by Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)...

Sofia Silvia

Man dies after collision with moose near Chewelah

A person is dead after hitting a moose in their car four miles north of Chewelah.

2 hours ago

coyote ridge inmate assault...

MyNorthwest Staff

Coyote Ridge inmate dies following cell assault

An inmate at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center died while in custody after an assault on April 29, the Department of Corrections confirmed.

2 hours ago

bothell teacher...

成人X站 7 News Staff

Bothell teacher accused of sexual misconduct against minor not charged due to statute of limitations

A Bothell teacher and band instructor accused of sexual misconduct with a minor will not be charged because the statute of limitations expired.

5 hours ago

garfield high shooter...

成人X站 7 News Staff

Court documents reveal moments leading up to deadly shooting of Garfield High schooler

Court documents reveal the moments that led up to the shooting of a Garfield High School student at a house party hours away from home.

6 hours ago

I-5 tacoma collision...

Frank Sumrall

Driver dead after ‘major collision’ shuts down all northbound I-5 lanes in Tacoma

All lanes heading north on I-5 are shut down and blocked in south Tacoma after a semi truck crashed early Tuesday morning. Just one southbound lane is open.

7 hours ago

Bold annexation plans could push this WA city’s population beyond Spokane and Tacoma