Those who sat in your seats before you tried to help some governments consolidate for economies of scale.  There were barriers to cities who might consolidate with neighboring cities.  There were land use concerns that had held back some of the "would-be" consolidating cities.  Therein a representative from the 45th district, Kirkland, championed a bill that would remove the barriers by promising cities that if they consolidated, the land use decisions would be reviewed by Community Councils.  

The structure, election procedures and cost of running these councils was established by law and would remain in effect for as long as the pre-consolidation city continued to re-authorize the need for the existence of such council.  Two of the four originally established councils have voted to terminate themselves while East Bellevue and Houghton continue to find overwhelming need for their continued presence.

Save East Bellevue and Houghton Community Councils