EPHRATA — The Grant County commissioners decided to disband the boundary review board.

The commissioners made the decision after hearing public comment and a planned growth committee recommendation to eliminate the board. Thirteen of the 14 cities involved in the committee voted to eliminate the board, which is responsible for reviewing annexation requests.

After talking to planning department and others affected by the decision, Commissioner Richard Stevens said the boundary review board ceased to be necessary. The board isn’t necessary since growth management areas were established.

“The urban growth areas were established for all the cities,” he said. “The number of times the boundary review board met has been dwindling and dwindling. Planning felt there was enough safety in it already since the area is already established.”

Stevens explained the growth management areas are established in the county’s comprehensive plan. The process to amend the plan includes public hearings and gives the commissioners a chance to look at potential issues in expanding the area.

“Once it’s in the urban growth area the annexation is going to happen, it’s just a matter of when,” Commissioner Cindy Carter said.

Commissioner Carolann Swartz agreed, saying once the urban growth areas were established the board was no longer necessary.

Steven said the decision had nothing to do with a civil lawsuit brought by Moses Lake. Part of the suit deals with a revenue sharing agreement calling for the commissioners to initiate a process to eliminate the board.

Originally published March 11, 2010