Municipal Incorporation Guide
Table of Contents

Report No. 21 - March 1992 (update September 1994)

Introduction

What is a City (or town)?

Pros and Cons of Incorporation


Local Control
Local Accountability
Provision of Services
Land Use and Development
Cost to Taxpayers
Community Identity
Another Layer of Government
Impacts on other Government Entitites

The Incorporation Process

Petition for Incorporation


Contents of the Petition
Form of the Petition
Signing of the Petition
Presentation of the Petition to the County Auditor: Auditor's Duties
Withdrawl of Petition or Substitution of New Petition
Consideration of Annexation or Other Incorporation Petitions


Choosing the Form of Government for the Proposed City

Mayor-Council Form: General Characteristics
Council-Manager Form: General Characteristics
Arguments for the Mayor-Council Form (and against the Counicl-Manager Form)
Arguments for the Council-Manager Form (and against the Mayor-Council Form)


Incorporation Study


Who should prepare and who should pay for an incorporation study?
Elements of an Incorporation Study

Boundary Review Board Review


Authority of the boundary review board with respect to incorporation proposals. (RCW36.93.150)
Procedure for board review
Boundary Review Board Hearing (RCW 36.93.160)
Boundary Review Board Decision
Appeal of Boundary Review Board Decision (RCW 36.93.160 (5))
Disbanding of Boundary Review Board


Review in Counties without a Boundary Review Board Board (or if the Board does not take jurisdiction)


When county review is necessary
Notice of hearing by county
County legislative body's decisionmaking authority


Elections on Incorporation


Election on question of incorporation
Primary election to nominate candidates
Election to fill elective positions
Liability of newly incorporated city for costs of elections