As taxpayers who voted in I-695, we thought our government had

gotten the message. Somehow it didn’t reach Ron Sims and the County

Council.

On Dec. 31, 1999, Ordinance No. 13695 was put into affect. The

King County Department of Natural Resources, under the direction of

County Executive Sims and council members, levied a fee against the residents

and small businesses in unincorporated King County. Since King County

has no jurisdiction over the incorporated areas, it made double time in

the amount of fees levied against the rural residents and small businesses

to clean up surface water for all of King County; in fact, that is where

the money will go.

To date, the resident statements are not mailed. Small businesses are

paying an additional $1,000 to $20,000 which is billed along with

property taxes. One storage facility in our community will be required to pay

$12,000 in addition to property tax. The same type of facility located one mile

away in a city limit will pay nothing.

This competitive disadvantage is placed on hundreds of rural,

small companies in our county. Certain businesses are not suited for urban

areas even though they are of value to the local economic environment and

provide necessary services.

National studies have stated that King County is the hardest place

in the United States for small businesses to do business. It has just

gotten tougher.

Susan Hahn

North Bend