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

Vancouver’s 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 Vancouver City Council workshop 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 city population data.

“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’s Fire District 5 up to the city’s 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 KOIN, 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’s 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’s full urban growth area. This annexation would accrue $145 million in revenue against $194 million in expenditures.

“Annexing residential areas frequently results in deficits because those normally don’t pay the full cost of providing the services in those areas,” the city’s 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 KIRO Newsradio.

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

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

There’s 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 – 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, KIRO Newsradio

Follow Frank Sumrall on X. Send news tips here.