[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6060286,"mediaKeyId","3292571-3df2f05420087aac772a1530fe676bfd","parentId",3292571,"title","West Plains residents urge Spokane County to formalize PFAS task force, demand filtration and airport accountability","audioSeconds",220,"startMs",736000,"endMs",956000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292571-3df2f05420087aac772a1530fe676bfd&start=736&end=956","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292571-3df2f05420087aac772a1530fe676bfd/thumbnail_736000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6060286/Spokane-County/Washington/West-Plains-residents-urge-Spokane-County-to-formalize-PFAS-task-force-demand-filtration-and-airport-accountability","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060286-b567ae7f8e6225f1a38d769ac9b5eb69/orig.mp4?Expires=1775492020&Signature=HdsAbpKNZ1-HWs5knPJWj3P3RiNLHtvbNY2uRZ9O7pCcxlR537lx2tWZg2ovl5OjrFLAchw7aR-64DO45XCVtvPrZq2C1~EKtFpobEfB7tcAc6TcrgC8ldn0nqlhD3gfMPKNLA6RSH20PZVZtM6j5lMkKfrrOwf1ko~Tq2qMfv8qyJy3Ll2cRYSCDqfWoKYQIpi5iUsA9NXSnmvPTzUY2jBukNT2u460GztIfPjd-gyNCBoQNpvYtHTAUXazFxt2OjkItPi-lEDyV1ahV4oVhG3Jaritr94i6vkudTg-rwVBtQ8u-ZLUjzn8AgqdVSnwJrehUyfgC9G~KXPa~MabaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Spokane County, WA","date","2025-05-13T21:02:17Z","article","Several West Plains residents told Spokane County commissioners on May 13, 2025 that more urgent, organized action is needed to address PFAS contamination of private wells.

Jillian McHugh and Laura Ackerman urged the board to make the West Plains Safe Water Task Force an official, answerable body and to include seats for impacted residents from county‑recognized neighborhoods and municipal representatives from Airway Heights, Medical Lake, Cheney and Four Lakes. McHugh specifically asked the board to appoint Dr. Velasquez as regional health co‑representative on the task force.

“Please get that going now. Yes. Make it an official answerable body,” McHugh said. She argued whole‑house filtration for interior and exterior systems is impractical for the more than 4,000 well‑reliant residents and that cost‑sharing must include Spokane International Airport, which McHugh described as an “indisputable major source of PFAS in our West Plains wells.”

Laura Ackerman praised the commission’s recent Fish Lake acquisition but said that did not address the urgent clean‑water needs of West Plains households. She asked the commission to use an independent facilitator to define the task force’s scope, membership and decision‑making. “Give up trying to control it and let a professional do it, please,” Ackerman said.

Commissioners did not take formal action on the requests during the meeting. McHugh and Ackerman said they had submitted written comments and offered to assist the task force; they asked Commissioner French, who they noted serves on the airport board, to press the airport to participate in cost sharing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025.05.13 Board Legislative Session","oneSentenceSummary","Residents at the May 13, 2025 Spokane County meeting asked the board to formalize a West Plains Safe Water Task Force, add a regional health representative, include impacted residents and municipal reps, and pursue cost-sharing — including asking Spokane International Airport to contribute — to address PFAS contamination in well-reliant homes.","taxTitle","Spokane County, Washington","taxId",2643,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060291,"Residents and advocates warn Spokane County commissioners about HUD funding cuts, homelessness pressures",252,442000,694000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292571-3df2f05420087aac772a1530fe676bfd&start=442&end=694","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292571-3df2f05420087aac772a1530fe676bfd/thumbnail_442000.jpg","/articles/6060291/Spokane-County/Washington/Residents-and-advocates-warn-Spokane-County-commissioners-about-HUD-funding-cuts-homelessness-pressures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060291-e04067c8525fb56be3ab96f8e5366240/orig.mp4?Expires=1775492020&Signature=nxCOxXdki4eTKjwgWJ2wUo-7fRaZfd5Xh5vmHjxPMheRe7zRxCjL73ZuwqZcwZR8oZh31kM4IYHNO2QM8E2kwTBR23aVYU8hNu0Ws6pGyHEksRZJB1n8~fcqKKHQkh8wUG8x6dE8vZuWweWR879~86QgKOJUyx5421ygChjFkjgqybPo-Lms-bCazoblA5NiOGWT0px58NhCULM40in9homY3q70S6AqMJs8He3KEgMOFBhiFdZMXbMTfbqdmpGfJFDatLqknCbDIyx531q8c39~qqzmYEmvPKxQ~F80obtyWfBnYVjS2gPkh7bOFDIEa9PaVgrHIimRVXvpf6Jo5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple members of the public urged Spokane County commissioners on May 13, 2025 to address worsening homelessness and the potential impacts of proposed federal budget cuts to housing programs.

Becky Dickerhoof, representing Spokane City in public comment, summarized analysis from the National Low Income Housing Coalition and said the president’s fiscal 2026 budget proposal would cut HUD funding by about 44 percent and make deep reductions in rental assistance and homeless assistance grants. “The proposed consolidation would effectively eliminate funding for critical activities, including permanent supportive housing, coordinated entry, dedicated HMIS grants, and overall continuum of care planning,” Dickerhoof said.

Dickerhoof told the board that the National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates 166,000 households in permanent supportive housing could be put at risk by the proposed changes; she also said local residents who rely on part‑time jobs and LEAP energy assistance face increased housing instability.

Mark Karchner, a downtown property owner, described worsening conditions near his building and along the river route path, citing visible drug use and repeated overdoses that have required Narcan. “This is the first time I’ve come here, kind of out of a lot of frustration,” Karchner said; he asked whether county resources were being fully utilized and the board said staff would get his contact information to the county directors in charge of homelessness funds.

County commissioners did not take formal action on public comments during the open forum. Commissioner Kearns thanked housing and homelessness office staff for updating a regional agreement with the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley (an item approved on the consent agenda) and said he looked forward to continued collaboration with those cities.","Public commenters at the May 13, 2025 Spokane County consent meeting urged action as they described the potential impacts of proposed federal HUD budget cuts and worsening street homelessness in downtown Spokane.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060296,"Spokane County adopts compost procurement ordinance to prioritize locally processed organics",161,3121000,3282000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292571-3df2f05420087aac772a1530fe676bfd&start=3121&end=3282","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292571-3df2f05420087aac772a1530fe676bfd/thumbnail_3121000.jpg","/articles/6060296/Spokane-County/Washington/Spokane-County-adopts-compost-procurement-ordinance-to-prioritize-locally-processed-organics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060296-afe294df8700694137ffb4216dd3c659/orig.mp4?Expires=1775492020&Signature=ZaTAhRZiNodDekVXcTSmtg3wFs6ZHyiSKlgxWLdw8NzJFy58nwEHXKWwK-l8ETM96lplWj0~1X8PqNsamYYmR-hDE5VIBW1~3nB1dhogGnKNYnugcRbjT62MxGxynAA~DXvdTJT1KG6VaMlrcSzyp~5RcdiVoNibbsxoRN8kBQY~pwa4M0TcExNr42f3fcUJ5Tr1LghYuX0asloZc9UM49~k2dpmUykS4eIhhtOIfTXFB10qiYmJ3ZF-Fc~RTMCU2-V0nMJi5fJWR9za5k05tVT3QbXlK9qV7SPUAir69uApOqnJLExHKvFfhXPN6LdijuWPpPtLudueoJabRc2b2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Spokane County commissioners adopted a compost procurement ordinance on May 13, 2025 that establishes a purchasing preference for locally processed compost generated through the county’s regional organics facilities when compost is appropriate.

Purchasing and the county’s solid waste division presented the ordinance as a compliance measure with the state’s organics management requirements. Deb Geiger of purchasing said the ordinance requires departments to consider buying local compost that has been processed from the county’s system and that purchasing will collect and report data on compost purchases at year end.

The solid waste division will report diversion data from regional facilities and the county will perform education and outreach about compost use, Geiger said. Staff noted the county already conducts outreach through its regional solid waste system and will include procurement reporting as required.

No members of the public testified on the ordinance during the public hearing. The board moved to approve the public hearing item as presented and the motion passed unanimously.

The ordinance creates an administrative preference to support locally processed compost where appropriate and sets up data collection and reporting responsibilities for purchasing and solid waste; staff will include those results in the county’s year‑end reporting.","At a May 13, 2025 public hearing Spokane County commissioners adopted an ordinance implementing a procurement preference for compost produced from the county’s regional organics system to meet state organics management requirements.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060301,"Spokane County commissioners approve new janitorial contract after 3-2 vote; bid timing and transparency draw objections",563,2533000,3096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3292571-3df2f05420087aac772a1530fe676bfd&start=2533&end=3096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3292571-3df2f05420087aac772a1530fe676bfd/thumbnail_2533000.jpg","/articles/6060301/Spokane-County/Washington/Spokane-County-commissioners-approve-new-janitorial-contract-after-3-2-vote-bid-timing-and-transparency-draw-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060301-f6f150e5cec4b7909df37dcda2c7166e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775492020&Signature=cAkUZQD7LE3VkXPitBBsQoVxn5-Njk1JOX~C13thZR0XvPJwVboXuESZFazfnB6kVIrmnnNJ7XiZbmWdU45lrJi7q9hMJqPtRs7SuaxexVZ8WCgAl2QlIYWAUKqOHZxiXhEZGGw57AshEmJEKe~jOT50cnnfK9FOuySKyqc5iMkEvhH0L0bQowiQQXBFcaIMcx-YG~MF3HfUfkvdSb0XCAntxyIUBiA8FnOLbf5fCwDhN79qOirnNJT8i9qNfuQjnqZ~SwWwa~1NWXvSu3E753QaTAChqBe1bl0BMKGxLY~cumd77z5z96oNCzyv~xs3-8uJhjnTB1ocvgWSUhgLwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Spokane County Board of County commissioners voted 3-2 on May 13, 2025, to approve a new county janitorial services contract after declining a motion to defer the item one week for additional review.

The proposal drew debate over process and public transparency. Commissioner Waldorf moved to delay the vote, saying the county had been briefed on the contract that morning and that commissioners needed more time to review evaluation materials and receive public input. “It's a fairly large contract. It's almost a million dollar contract,” Waldorf said during discussion.

Commissioner French opposed the delay and defended the procurement process, saying staff followed the county’s request-for-proposal procedures and the winning contractor’s bid was substantially lower than competitors'. “The outcome is yielded a contractor at a price of almost $400,000 less than the second bidder,” French said. French added he was comfortable both with the process and the outcome.

After the deferral motion failed 3-2, Commissioner Kearns moved to approve item 4(i) as presented; that approval passed 3-2. Commissioners French, Kearns and the chair voted to approve; Commissioners Waldorf and Jordan voted no. Commissioner Waldorf said his “no” reflected a desire for more time to review, not a claim that the procurement was flawed.

County staff said the contract went through the standard RFP process, that responses were scored before cost was revealed to evaluators, and that the selected vendor offered the required scope of services at the lowest evaluated cost. Board members praised the facilities and purchasing teams for conducting the procurement.

No changes to the contract terms or award were recorded in the meeting minutes. Commissioners who sought delay cited the limited public window for written comments and the compressed timeline when the briefing occurred the same day as the afternoon consent vote.

The board directed no additional immediate actions during the meeting; staff will proceed with contract implementation per the awarded procurement.","On May 13, 2025 the Spokane County Board of County Commissioners approved a new janitorial services contract after rejecting a one-week deferral. Commissioners split 3-2 on both the deferral and final approval amid concerns about limited public review and praise for a competitive procurement that produced a significantly lower bid.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

West Plains residents urge Spokane County to formalize PFAS task force, demand filtration and airport accountability

Residents and advocates warn Spokane County commissioners about HUD funding cuts, homelessness pressures

Spokane County adopts compost procurement ordinance to prioritize locally processed organics

Spokane County commissioners approve new janitorial contract after 3-2 vote; bid timing and transparency draw objections