Everett
The Mill Creek City Council advanced annexation plans for a southern expansion Tuesday, unanimously directing staff to collaborate with Snohomish County and the Boundary Review Board on drafting a formal proposal. Council member Vince Cavaleri opted to abstain from the vote.
The proposed territory lies between 180th and 192nd Streets Southeast, stretching eastward to 35th Avenue Southeast and westward to the North Creek Park corridor. Preliminary census estimates for 2025 indicate roughly 11,700 residents inhabit this zone, exceeding half of Mill Creek’s current population of about 21,000. A detailed map is accessible on the city’s annexation webpage.
While Tuesday’s decision initiates the annexation process, it does not lock in final approval. Later this year, the council will determine whether to proceed via a public vote or a formal pact with the county. Subsequent endorsement of a final ordinance will follow, with implementation targeted for January 1, 2028.
This initial annexation represents just a segment of Mill Creek’s broader urban growth area, unincorporated county land identified for future incorporation. County records show the total designated area houses over 52,000 people, the largest such cohort among Snohomish County municipalities.
City officials have assessed annexation options for more than two years. Last July, the council directed staff to prioritize the southern corridor as the inaugural annexation phase. If enacted, this would mark Mill Creek’s first expansion since 2008.
Looking ahead, officials anticipate pursuing additional annexations in the eastern growth area within three to five years, encompassing zones near Sunset Road and beyond Seattle Hill Road.
Following Tuesday’s resolution, the city will launch outreach efforts in the southern neighborhoods. Several council members highlighted the importance of public forums and town meetings before the December decision point.
Financial analysis commissioned by the city forecasts annexation would yield $2.7 million in net revenue during the first full fiscal year, rising to $5.3 million annually by 2045. These projections factor in ongoing maintenance responsibilities for North Creek Park and Mays Pond Park, both included in the annexation scope.
Mayor Stephanie Vignal emphasized the long-term fiscal rationale behind the push: “At present, sustaining our current standards, high-caliber services, well-maintained parks, and sought-after community amenities, means continuously increasing property tax burdens on residents. There’s a limit to how much we can ask of any one group. Diversifying our revenue base, in our view, is essential, and annexation offers a clear pathway to do just that.”
Cavaleri explained his decision to hold off on voting, citing concerns that current financial forecasts fail to capture broader economic shifts, especially in residential real estate.
He acknowledged that annexation may deliver short-term financial gains but expressed skepticism about the underlying data. While not always delivering the substantial boost some anticipate, he noted it remains closely linked to the city’s broader strategic goals.
City officials outlined Tuesday that incorporating new areas through annexation would bolster the city’s fiscal outlook over time and expand funding capacity for major initiatives, such as the South Town Center development and the DRCC campus expansion.
Council member Sean Paddock offered a measured endorsement, stating that annexation is likely to yield long-term fiscal benefits. He emphasized its role in sustaining a city that remains clean, safe, and well-maintained, not only for current residents but also for those yet to settle here.
Nearby municipalities, including Edmonds and Everett, are also actively considering similar annexation plans.
A long-time resident, Hilary Bublitz, voiced her support during the public comment period, highlighting regional policy momentum. She pointed to state-level efforts in Olympia to promote higher housing density, especially along the I-5 corridor, and noted Mill Creek’s central location within this growth zone. She urged residents to embrace an active role in shaping upcoming developments rather than adopting a passive stance.