Background
In 1967, the Washington State Legislature became concerned with heavy population growth in metropolitan areas, the proliferation of small cities and the haphazard and competitive extension of municipal services and boundaries throughout the State. It passed the Boundary Review Board Law (RCW 36.93) to allow cities, towns, and special purpose districts to adequately plan and finance urban services and boundary extensions in a manner consistent with comprehensive land use plans.
The Legislature designed Boundary Review Boards to guide and control the growth of municipalities, and urban services such as fire protection, water, and schools. At present, there are fourteen counties in the State of Washington with Boundary Review Boards that are charged to "...provide a method of guiding and controlling the growth of municipalities..." (RCW 36.93.010).
Responsibilities
The Boundary Review Board is a quasi-judicial, administrative body empowered to make decisions on such issues as incorporation, annexation, and extension of utilities by cities, towns, and special purpose districts.
Board members are residents of the County they serve. While serving a normal four-year term, they are not allowed to hold other local government, elected or appointed positions or jobs. While working as a Board member, each person is compensated only $50.00 per day.
Proposals are routinely submitted to the Board to be evaluated for statutory compliance. Interested parties may invoke the Board’s jurisdiction and only then does the Board hold a public hearing to hear evidence and approve, modify, or deny the proposal. Decisions are final unless appealed to Superior Court. In deciding on a proposal, the Board must consider those factors and objectives set down in the Boundary Review Board Act (RCW 36.93.170 and 36.93.180), and the goals of the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A). These legislative statements of planning principles provide the framework and rationale for Board decisions.
The Board's written decision is final unless appealed to a County's Superior Court. When that occurs, the appeal is said to be "on the record". That is, the Superior Court reviews the exhibits, transcript, and the Board's written decision rather than conducting a new hearing.
In 1967, the Washington State Legislature became concerned with heavy population growth in metropolitan areas, the proliferation of small cities and the haphazard and competitive extension of municipal services and boundaries throughout the State. It passed the Boundary Review Board Law (RCW 36.93) to allow cities, towns, and special purpose districts to adequately plan and finance urban services and boundary extensions in a manner consistent with comprehensive land use plans.
The Legislature designed Boundary Review Boards to guide and control the growth of municipalities, and urban services such as fire protection, water, and schools. At present, there are fourteen counties in the State of Washington with Boundary Review Boards that are charged to "...provide a method of guiding and controlling the growth of municipalities..." (RCW 36.93.010).
Responsibilities
The Boundary Review Board is a quasi-judicial, administrative body empowered to make decisions on such issues as incorporation, annexation, and extension of utilities by cities, towns, and special purpose districts.
Board members are residents of the County they serve. While serving a normal four-year term, they are not allowed to hold other local government, elected or appointed positions or jobs. While working as a Board member, each person is compensated only $50.00 per day.
Proposals are routinely submitted to the Board to be evaluated for statutory compliance. Interested parties may invoke the Board’s jurisdiction and only then does the Board hold a public hearing to hear evidence and approve, modify, or deny the proposal. Decisions are final unless appealed to Superior Court. In deciding on a proposal, the Board must consider those factors and objectives set down in the Boundary Review Board Act (RCW 36.93.170 and 36.93.180), and the goals of the Growth Management Act (RCW 36.70A). These legislative statements of planning principles provide the framework and rationale for Board decisions.
The Board's written decision is final unless appealed to a County's Superior Court. When that occurs, the appeal is said to be "on the record". That is, the Superior Court reviews the exhibits, transcript, and the Board's written decision rather than conducting a new hearing.
