Neighbors Working on Birch Bay’s Future
The Birch Bay Incorporation Association is a volunteer-led community organization made up of people who care deeply about this place and believe Birch Bay residents should have the information and opportunity to decide how their community is governed.
This started with a pretty simple question.
Birch Bay has grown into a city sized community, but we still do not have a local government focused specifically on Birch Bay. A group of neighbors began asking whether incorporation could give residents a stronger voice in local decisions.
What began as a question became years of surveys, public meetings, financial research, conversations with local agencies, review of Washington law and discussions with people who have actually built and managed cities.
A community organization
We research incorporation, develop the proposed city framework, organize public meetings, communicate with residents, work with local agencies and help navigate Washington’s incorporation process.
We also advocate for giving Birch Bay the opportunity to make this decision for itself.
The future city government
BBIA cannot decide the policies of a future City of Birch Bay. We do not choose its elected officials, set future tax policy, determine future zoning or decide every service level.
If incorporation is approved, those decisions belong to the representatives Birch Bay residents elect.
From a Question to a Community Effort
BBIA’s work has been deliberately gradual: listen first, gather information, test the numbers and then decide whether there is a responsible path forward.
Our Commitments to Our Neighbors
People can reasonably reach different conclusions about incorporation. The process works best when the community has good information and treats one another with respect.
Facts First
Use data, source documents and Washington law whenever possible, and distinguish facts from assumptions and future policy choices.
Transparency
Hold public meetings, publish records and reports, explain our assumptions and make the underlying research available for people to review themselves.
Fiscal Responsibility
Treat city finances seriously, test different service levels and avoid pretending that there is only one possible way to organize a future city.
Respect
Welcome questions, disagreement and scrutiny. Birch Bay will still be our community after the incorporation debate is over.
How the Work Gets Done
BBIA divides the work among volunteer committees. Open each one to see what it does.
Steering Committee
Executive Committee
Research & Feasibility
Communications
Finance
These meetings belong to the community.
BBIA meetings are open to the public. You can come to listen, ask a question, disagree, offer an idea or simply learn more about where the process stands.
You do not need to be a municipal-government expert or a BBIA member to participate.
See the Next Meeting →There Is a Place for You in the Conversation
Most of us weren’t experts on municipal government when this started either.
Come to a Meeting
Current meeting dates, locations and virtual participation information are posted on our homepage.
Upcoming Meetings →Ask a Question
Something doesn’t make sense? Think we’re missing something? Difficult questions make the work better.
Visit the FAQ →Help With the Work
Research, writing, events, fundraising, design, outreach or simply talking with your neighbors — community efforts need all kinds of skills.
Volunteer With BBIA →Who can be part of BBIA?
BBIA membership is open to adults who live within the proposed city, own property within it or operate a business within it.
But you do not need to become a member to attend a public meeting, ask questions, review our research or participate in the broader community conversation.
Learn More About Birch Bay Incorporation
Whether you have a specific question, want to see the underlying records or simply want a clearer overview, these pages are a good place to continue.
Questions
Get straightforward answers about taxes, services, boundaries, city government, voting and the incorporation process.
Explore the Questions → See the Source MaterialPublic Records
Review reports, presentations, meeting materials and source documents behind the incorporation discussion.
View Public Records → Independent ResourcesResource Library
Explore Washington law, MRSC guidance, County planning documents, population data and other outside resources.
Browse the Library → In the CommunityNews
See local reporting on Birch Bay incorporation, community issues, growth and the ongoing conversation about local government.
See News Coverage →