Contributed by the City of Kent by Michelle Witham

KENT, Wash. – June 2, 2010 – The July 1 effective date for Panther Lake area residents to become part of the City of Kent is soon approaching, and as part of the annexation process, the City is required to conduct a special census of all homes in the area.

A census worker wearing a City of Kent identification badge will visit households between June 17 and July 17. The only information required in this census is the names of all individuals residing in a household.

According to Fred Satterstrom, Kent’s Planning Director, cooperating with this special annexation census ensures that Kent receives a full share of state funds allotted for essential public services.

“This special annexation census is in addition to the U.S. Census recently conducted by the federal Census Bureau earlier this spring; they are separate counts.  I hope residents won’t be confused by it,” Satterstrom said.

Annexation area residents may also provide this census information directly, at any time by calling the Kent Census Hotline at 1-800-635-6594. The Census Hotline is available 24 hours a day. Any information provided will be held confidential.

Residents should be aware the census will NOT require them to provide their social security numbers, credit card numbers, bank account information or pay any fees.  Residents should not provide such details to anyone who claims to be a census worker and asks for this kind of information.

Legitimate census workers will have identification badges with a phone number that residents can call if they would like to verify their identities. Residents may contact the annexation message line at 253-856-5799 with questions or concerns.

The City of Kent is the fourth largest city in King County, Washington with a population over 88,000. As a culturally rich destination, Kent’s dynamic quality of life features captivating neighborhoods, award-winning parks and nationally accredited police and fire departments. In recent years, Kent has experienced impressive economic growth, and is nationally known as a prime location for manufacturing. For more information, visit www.choosekent.com.

Kent TV21 has created and is now showing “Welcome to Kent:  The Panther Lake Annexation” to discuss the city’s plans to annex the neighborhood on July 1, 2010. Featuring Mayor Suzette Cooke, planning director Fred Satterstrom and members of Citizens for Annexation to Kent, the program will discuss the annexation and how it will impact the community. To view the program, visit KentTV21 online.

Once the Panther Lake annexation of 24,000 residents is complete, the City of Kent will become the sixth largest city in the State of Washington. For more information about the annexation, visit the city’s online annexation resource.

The City of Kent is hosting an open house to discuss the Panther Lake annexation on Sat., Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sunrise Elementary School (multi-purpose room, 22300 132nd Ave. SE, Kent, WA).

The annexation was approved by voters on Nov. 3, 2009. Panther Lake will become a part of the City of Kent effective July 1, 2010, making Kent the sixth largest city in the state. Panther Lake is located east of Kent’s current city limits and includes Benson Hill and Panther Lake. The area is approximately five square miles and contains about 24,000 residents.

For more information about the annexation, visit the city’s website,  call the annexation info. line at 253-856-5777 or send an email to the city.

The city has also created a document with Annexation General FAQs. You can download it here: annexation_faq.