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The Fairwood Municipal Initiative (FMI) is a membership based, not for profit organization comprised of concerned citizens of Fairwood who believe that incorporation is the best option for Fairwood's future. FMI is taking the steps necessary to bring the matter of incorporation of the City of Fairwood before the voters, hopefully by late 2009.

BRB releases Final Resolution on the Incorporation of Fairwood: APPROVED!

Following the public hearings on the evenings of May 26-28, 2009 and their formal meeting on June 17, the King County Boundary Review Board has released its final Resolution and Hearing Decision on the matter of Fairwood's incorporation. Some highlights from the BRB resolution document are as follows:

BRB Vote: After a preliminary vote on May 28 of 8 to 3 in favor of recommending the incorporation of Fairwood, the final BRB vote on June 17 was 8 to 2 in favor of supporting the incorporation of a new City of Fairwood!
On Service Levels: "If the new City is formed, its citizens would be provided with a full array of essential public services, facilities and infrastructure either directly by the city or by service contract. Existing improvements would be maintained and additional urban infrastructure and services could be developed as necessary to serve this urban community."
On City Funding: "The Board finds that a new City of Fairwood would have the funding necessary to support basic required and/or expected land use planning, housing, public services, public facilities, and public amenities. Similarly, funding resources would be sufficient to provide for protection of the natural environment."
On the Feasibility Study: "The Board finds that the Incorporation Feasibility Study contains a thorough examination of revenues and expenditures relating to governance of and service to the Fairwood area. The Study demonstrates that sufficient funds are available, both at current development and with future growth, to create a logical municipal service area."
On Local Control: "The proposed City of Fairwood would unite a greater community which shares mutual social interests and economic interests. The Board finds that incorporation would enable community leaders and citizens to undertake land use planning, service planning, fiscal planning and planning for public amenities to serve the community."
On the Overall Benefit: "The Board finds that the proposed incorporation is likely to achieve the requirements of a viable, vibrant government either at its inception or at it would be expected to grow in the future. Further, provisions for local planning and controls within the City of Fairwood could be expected to result in positive effects to the surrounding built community and the natural environment."

Read the Final Report of the Feasibility Study!

The Final Report of the Fairwood Feasibility Study (click here to view the PDF file, approx. 3MB) was produced by Henderson & Young Co., the consultants working on behalf of the King County Boundary Review Board. In addition to the public hearings and testimony, the BRB leveraged this study in their decision to recommend the incorporation of a new City of Fairwood.

What are the benefits of a City of Fairwood?

Local Control: Asserting true local control with policies that help us maintain Fairwood's character, instead of becoming just another piece of Renton.
Government in Touch: Having government leaders in close communication with their neighbors tends to bring local city government into alignment with the community needs and aspirations.
Taxes Benefit Fairwood: Our same level of taxes, but all tax revenues directly support the Fairwood community - instead of supporting Renton's priorities in other areas.
Economic Stability: Greater economic stability in a residential-style city, with a lean, efficient city management focused on the necessities - not extravagance.
Land Use: Local land use planning, permitting and enforcement maintain the residential character of the community.
Police: A City of Fairwood will be able to at least double the level of police patrol services. The City of Fairwood would contract with the King County Sheriff, similar to arrangements in other small cities (Maple Valley, et al.).
Fairwood Library: Keep the Fairwood Library "as is", and benefit from the planned 2012 expansion.

For additional information about incorporation, please view our Incorporation Information Sheet (PDF, 1 page, double-sided)

History of Incorporation
While there has long been local interest in incorporating the Fairwood area and preserving its distinct character, a previous attempt to incorporate the City of Fairwood was very narrowly defeated at the election held on September 19, 2006. In that election, 48.22% of the votes were in favor of incorporation. A swing of only 136 votes in the election would have changed the result.

What is the Current Status of Incorporation?
As of July 2009, the incorporation process has come very far. As mentioned above, the BRB has provided a final resolution with a strong recommendation supporting the incorporation of a new City of Fairwood. This resolution followed a long process of public hearings and commentary on the feasibility study produced by the BRB's independent consultants. Currently, FMI is working with King County to schedule an election for the final public vote.