[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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",6639391,"mediaKeyId","3755475-e0f1fe16b5454a49f532c3924fb6e75c","parentId",3755475,"title","Workshops shows street fund shortfall and proposes options; stormwater plan set for multi‑year capital push","audioSeconds",11120,"startMs",2104000,"endMs",13224000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755475-e0f1fe16b5454a49f532c3924fb6e75c&start=2104&end=13224","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755475-e0f1fe16b5454a49f532c3924fb6e75c/thumbnail_2104000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6639391/Spokane-Valley/Spokane-County/Washington/Workshops-shows-street-fund-shortfall-and-proposes-options-stormwater-plan-set-for-multiyear-capital-push","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639391-e0d1bfdd290cd61fed481620c8fd9479/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905798&Signature=M2wNflRMUdwphtEi1NrkKaX6Kh1UzrrpcmkFyC1bGYFEALshZqDfolCSTH4HrcVPl50uBG9mIaITfTBNkUHe27teHILfBiGj4Jos6lKrn7kktWGCcCBoc6FeEtLuu1kS-8bLXru0wlX64rmZa-i-fKhgrkEhvGzUClCpdaOJ00X-YAmBoQwza9cMaPUtBQ1~L947a1Y5NWWMUK1HnYgrpKmvHWFNaTSfAd4WIgXOeanBJh1ukucr9r3gAkMbInpV8UOYzK1Xz56m1CnhWB-OlgHPfuT0V4sdPRz8TcSvTsJ7aZCDuh3HvMlDeyHSAoQvbboqEDwZgzZP5MfQ3H3HVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Spokane Valley","date","2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","article","City public‑works staff told the council June 10 that the street fund faces a projected recurring shortfall for 2026 and displayed a range of options to close the gap, while stormwater staff outlined a multi‑year capital program to spend available reserves on targeted drainage improvements.

Street fund shortfall: Public‑Works staff reported a roughly $577,000 recurring shortfall in the street fund driven in part by lower-than‑expected Transportation Benefit District license‑tab collections and by higher than anticipated pavement preservation and contract costs. Staff presented options to close the gap, including reducing vegetation management and litter pickup, limiting citywide plowing to arterial routes only, ending the city’s sidewalk snow‑removal program and examining neighborhood street‑lighting reductions. Each option carries tradeoffs in neighborhood appearance and service levels; staff emphasized curb‑to‑curb pavement preservation should be prioritized because deferred maintenance costs grow nonlinearly.

Stormwater capital plan: staff said the stormwater fund is in comparatively stronger shape and that the department has a multi‑year capital program of projects (dozens of projects across the city) with a plan to spend down a portion of the fund balance on priority retrofits, dry‑well repairs and basin improvements. Staff estimated the stormwater fund ending balance for 2026 at approximately $4.2 million and said the program will focus on projects where trenching for drainage work can be paired with pavement preservation for efficiency.

Why it matters: curb and drainage investments affect arterial reliability, neighborhood flooding and long‑term pavement costs; staff said stormwater investments can sometimes be paired with pavement work to reduce overall cost. Council members raised equity and public‑safety considerations when evaluating options that reduce non‑critical services such as mid‑block neighborhood lights or sidewalk snow clearing.

Next steps: staff will return with a prioritized list of stormwater projects and refined street options, including any timing changes if the county’s expected Transportation Benefit District revenues are revised.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Spokane Valley - Special Meeting - City Council Budget Workshop - Jun 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told council June 10 that the street fund faces a projected deficit for 2026 and offered options such as cutting vegetation management, scaling back winter sidewalk clearing and reassessing neighborhood lighting while the stormwater fund is slated for a multiyear capital program.","taxTitle","Spokane Valley, Spokane County, Washington","taxId",2645,"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},6639400,"Staff proposes fee changes that could generate up to $1 million; council asks for separated business‑license review",858,12960000,13818000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755475-e0f1fe16b5454a49f532c3924fb6e75c&start=12960&end=13818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755475-e0f1fe16b5454a49f532c3924fb6e75c/thumbnail_12960000.jpg","/articles/6639400/Spokane-Valley/Spokane-County/Washington/Staff-proposes-fee-changes-that-could-generate-up-to-1-million-council-asks-for-separated-businesslicense-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639400-f994ea8e0f4d28afc287756738558539/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905798&Signature=Vp~9t9b1jHCyKgGaEPSsjfa5S-7oJoq58lQTHsfHea9Cpty1laPNvIkell1wzAcSnTCWcapLRTQV-Q4mrODmEgFJvEI7AYBfS0rSk84i5CvmUp48btXe2MGAOQWyFGZC07XelalycV-wKaGX2KT7olXbw6ud6Y2OqeSCjttjCejEvoNk2T6dVnl2Dj1jny-pomXE4N58nK8CMG~aJX~Xxng9STdKgkBQEktVYZhOWQYcs-Z15-59KjRiZcVXAO6IYXPAKO-2T3U5jEm5b2hQqJ9JXQcqVu0Jt3hvZ7Kwn0Rd96IWBlxWWi0BPluW40REVItokBr9IR9B~FbrpS05yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a multi‑part proposal to increase or restructure fees for engineering reviews, planning permits, building and business licenses during the June 10 budget workshop as a way to reduce the 2026 general‑fund gap.

Finance Director Chelsea Walls and senior planning staff outlined a structure that would replace some volume‑based grading fees with tiered, complexity‑based charges, add re‑inspection or excessive‑review hourly surcharges, and add a technology/permit processing fee for building permits. Planning staff also proposed higher fees for comprehensive‑plan amendments, shore‑line and SEPA reviews for more complex reviews, and recommended charging hearing‑examiner costs to applicants when hearings are required.

Home‑business and business‑license proposals: planning staff proposed lowering the separate home‑occupation permit fee (currently $113) to $50 while tightening exemptions, and raising the city’s base business license from $25 to $100 a year. Staff calculated the combined proposal (planning, building, engineering and business licenses) could generate approximately $1 million in net revenue using recent historical permit volumes and the proposed fee schedule. The planning team said some fee lines currently recover little of staff time (example: many grading permits produce a few hundred dollars but require tens of staff hours), and the new tiers are designed to align fee to workload.

Council response and next steps: several members said they supported moving forward with engineering and land‑use fee adjustments but asked that the business‑license proposal be split out and considered separately. Councilmember Bill Wick said he did not support raising the base business license; other council members said they wanted time to examine impacts on micro‑businesses and home‑based enterprises. Staff agreed to return the engineering, building and planning fee items as one package and the business‑license proposal as a separate agenda item so council could evaluate potential impacts on small firms.

Why it matters: staff told council the fee changes are not a full solution to the draft budget shortfall, but they would meaningfully reduce the gap while preserving service levels. Staff estimated planning‑fee changes alone could generate roughly $190,000 with historical permit volumes; a new building technology fee could generate roughly $110,000; business‑license changes could produce a larger portion of the total, depending on council choices.

What’s next: staff will prepare separate administrative reports and proposed ordinance language: an initial package for engineering/planning/building fees and a second, separate proposal for business‑license changes so the council can consider them apart from one another.","Finance and planning staff told the Spokane Valley council June 10 that a set of permit and license fee changes — if fully adopted — could produce up to about $1 million in net revenue, and recommended council consider engineering and land‑use fee changes first while treating business‑license changes separately.",{"_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},6639406,"Council hears growing law‑enforcement costs, uncertainty over SHREC and jail spending",5334,1384000,6718000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755475-e0f1fe16b5454a49f532c3924fb6e75c&start=1384&end=6718","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755475-e0f1fe16b5454a49f532c3924fb6e75c/thumbnail_1384000.jpg","/articles/6639406/Spokane-Valley/Spokane-County/Washington/Council-hears-growing-lawenforcement-costs-uncertainty-over-SHREC-and-jail-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639406-ee242873505e2dd22811141a300e3004/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905798&Signature=MNKchYiiPqj9~I-1TzdRmh477enC66vTDHtF9NJyylD00hY62CFChqvrKbNFLCG13Cyp8P3pB1hoFSYLQwopgSbirfOdQG8qk71rb1~Kc1iU8n8Re~YvDCtSTkxk~la~hIAyZwv6pvS-bA6QzsqpuxLGoE3wfDkGhJJuFK-Ya5cR0N7a5TId4ZP2v5~eoyYAlXN709fx4R1LOAlvYXc9M3hWb2SMFFX77MjHtuJGF9v~7mxzKH25wTNlNMsRhXvN8EnU9zyq0Dt-nAhIVdrSLb6yYiIumYXIdUGGolTAICv4M424kx3mdlGhTqQYLZOhBh9etQVJKUOBYYtLeXkkLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials spent a substantial portion of the June 10 budget workshop on law enforcement and related public‑safety contracts, telling council members that policing costs have accelerated faster than the city’s primary revenue sources and that several county‑level and regional issues could push costs higher.

Chief Dave Ellis told the council the department’s recruiting effort is “fully staffed” and that having additional deputies has stabilized patrol visibility and response. But finance staff said law‑enforcement costs, including collective‑bargaining impacts and county indirect charges, were a key driver of the city’s recurring cost increases. Finance Director Chelsea Walls summarized the law‑enforcement outlook as an assumed base increase (roughly 5% in staff estimates) plus the cost of dedicating a deputy to the behavioral‑health unit if state grant funding lapses.

Several council and staff speakers noted regional uncertainties. Wall and city officials described ongoing work on a 2023 “settle and adjust” with Spokane County that will finalize prior years’ costs and feed into 2024–2026 payments. They flagged county purchases and accounting decisions — notably a new helicopter, a training center that added operational expense, and new finance software and staff — as elements that raised indirect costs passed to contract cities. Holman said some spikes in county charges reflected multi‑year catch‑ups rather than steady annual increases.

SHREC facility and participation: staff said the Spokane County regional training / evidence facility (SHREC) has a new capital profile and that Spokane city participation is in mediation; the outcome could change user fees passed to participating jurisdictions. City officials said the facility’s debt and replacement costs, if amortized over a short window, would raise annual user fees; they are working to ensure appropriate depreciation periods.

Jail, prosecution and public defenders: the city also heard that jail medical contracts and detention costs rose sharply — staff said a medical contract reprocurement returned only a single, higher‑priced bidder — and that electronic home monitoring use has risen. The city flagged new state Supreme Court case‑load standards under discussion as a potential driver of further increases in public‑defender costs.

Operational adjustments and savings: Chief Ellis described targeted operational savings the sheriff’s contract partner may achieve: a proposed $250,000 reduction in overtime due to fuller staffing, and a possible reduction in vehicle purchases (an estimated $300,000 saving by reducing vehicle orders from 14 to 8 in a year with lower new‑vehicle need). Ellis cautioned some savings depend on staffing stability and on whether the council chooses to add officers via ballot funding.

Why it matters: law‑enforcement costs are the city’s largest single spending area and a major driver of the budget gap the city is trying to close. Council members debated whether to prioritize adding officers this year or to use other budget levers; staff emphasized many figures are provisional pending county settlement and further consultations.

What’s next: staff said they’ll continue the indirect‑cost review with an outside consultant, continue negotiating final settle‑and‑adjust amounts with the county, and return with updated law‑enforcement budget numbers and options tied to the council’s decision on ballot measures or fee changes.","Chief Dave Ellis and city managers told the council that law‑enforcement contract costs continue to outpace sales‑tax revenue growth, that Spokane County indirect costs and SHREC participation remain unresolved, and that one deputy in the city’s behavioral‑health unit likely will move from grant to city funding starting July 1.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6639411,"Spokane Valley managers outline $1.3M recurring deficit, multi-month budget process at June workshop",0,1063000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755475-e0f1fe16b5454a49f532c3924fb6e75c&start=1063&end=1063","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755475-e0f1fe16b5454a49f532c3924fb6e75c/thumbnail_1063000.jpg","/articles/6639411/Spokane-Valley/Spokane-County/Washington/Spokane-Valley-managers-outline-13M-recurring-deficit-multi-month-budget-process-at-June-workshop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639411-e465bc4762e7ce65ca2efc6e7f0ab45c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905798&Signature=SJjOSGvrtFzNJbOwyMOccuJKxzBQUH58OjZy5R4czsKLCIbHrV5HXN2PdnyOmHtSvHL47UA-DR0TUgfwoMTvRwdqrJLU1c5laJfCItqtv0fzjXoyU27Tme~a9Kf2nKppSfMIKhkC7tLdPaa9lHIg6tSyKjUb8jUHGotGsdI54lvXylPz5bNWSHZdOttX2tNFTaJROMGGGnhlkhEaD2czIi730Q4SeE~cEHYMeg-uIQtYcukj--nrJqBWPw1~mtTg48Xt~cV74qyEU1crMWGOk~SFrpjSEY0MysqmwZ48glXIvL8cc5RfnVPE6NSMuJc~smtXaYwiN4B-MJ7Gie~1Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Manager John Holman and Finance staff presented a draft 2026 budget at a Spokane Valley City Council workshop June 10, saying the city currently projects a recurring general-fund shortfall and several uncertain contract costs that will be worked through over the summer. Finance Director Chelsea Walls told the council the draft shows a recurring-activity deficit of “about 1,300,000.0” and an estimated ending fund balance ‘‘at the end of 20 26 is estimated to be about 44,200,000.0, which is 67% of recurring expenditures.’’

Holman described the presentation as a status‑quo draft: “this is the draft of the budget, the draft of many that we're working through. This is what we know as of this point in time,” he told the council. Walls walked the council through revenue assumptions — including property tax, sales tax, motor vehicle fuel tax and permitting income — and highlighted that some receipts are volatile or subject to timing issues this year.

Why it matters: staff said police-contract growth has outpaced sales-tax growth in recent years and that a combination of contract settlements, county indirect-cost changes and capital needs leave several material unknowns. Holman said the city’s earlier winter workshop data showed law-enforcement costs growing faster than sales tax revenue and that the council will see updates through the summer as the city refines revenue estimates and finalizes interlocal settle-and-adjust figures with Spokane County.

Council members and staff discussed specifics: Walls flagged a nearly 30% year‑to‑date decrease in fuel-tax receipts (January–April 2025), an item she said she would investigate with the state Department of Revenue and neighboring jurisdictions. Holman and deputy city officials said some previously budgeted one‑time funds were being held for potential capital matches and that staff would return with more precise options for the council to cut or raise revenue if needed.

The workshop included a list of budget follow‑ups for the council: (1) a fuller revenue‑estimate update after July collections and the county settle-and-adjust, (2) an update on the law-enforcement contract and indirect‑cost review, (3) refined fee proposals for permits and licenses, and (4) a continued look at capital timing for street and stormwater projects.

Ending note: staff emphasized the draft nature of the materials and warned that several large contract and capital drivers remain unsettled. Holman said the council’s budget schedule stretches through public hearings and an anticipated adoption in November, with additional public hearings planned before adoption.","City staff presented draft 2026 budget estimates June 10, saying recurring general-fund shortfalls remain and that streets and public safety contracts will drive near-term choices. Staff urged the council to treat the draft as a work in progress as revenues, contract settlements and grant awards are clarified over the summer.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6639395,"City leaders point to Northeast Industrial Area, new retail wins and cross‑country course as long‑term revenue drivers",45,2755000,2800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755475-e0f1fe16b5454a49f532c3924fb6e75c&start=2755&end=2800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755475-e0f1fe16b5454a49f532c3924fb6e75c/thumbnail_2755000.jpg","/articles/6639395/Spokane-Valley/Spokane-County/Washington/City-leaders-point-to-Northeast-Industrial-Area-new-retail-wins-and-crosscountry-course-as-longterm-revenue-drivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6639395-90aa19ef189234de29735d71387f5a2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905798&Signature=bgKYA00hyjaHiJuRwF42WMmzeJ4qrLaSWfTnE5pJqlHT~X9Li~HURP~nRwt6eBmbAWnZowngtaOW2HwxOj-kLRLg8gH7tgb0CwsGgBWRd216AncQ9bLajUlS8RoCn76J-qnZHAXTAd7gPWz1g4BL2D739sBHxSN3HWuRHiH2Dsj5KnKz5Qu~BekpfpxxLTvb099dRN0qk3BS05arUS1KMNR5xQNBKYUyCc5Ws82KAAMX--AW1qGJO~UdQWTv8sD0BLWOBEL7Bh8iH8LfWPqforFZw1OoRrNx~7l0PIKUDKDlM9Y9VmYrK5UqR-PIdVn9o8mN1x9iH0~hRG6rW1swLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the June 10 budget workshop economic development staff reviewed recent project wins and longer‑term initiatives they say are generating tax revenue and job opportunities for Spokane Valley.

Economic Development Manager Mike Basinger (presenting) and other staff recapped the development of the Northeast Industrial Area and listed recent large transactions and permit revenues tied to private investment. Staff said sales and permitting activity tied to industrial and commercial development in recent years produced substantial permit and real‑estate excise receipts; Basinger cited multiple large projects and noted the region’s industrial land sales contributed to a spike in real‑estate excise tax in some years.

Tourism and events: staff highlighted a developed cross‑country race course and a Johnson Consulting economic‑impact study estimating incremental visitor spending tied to properly staged events. Staff said the facility is expected to produce recurring event revenue and hotel/lodging impacts that will contribute to sales‑tax receipts over time.

Center Place operations: the council heard that Center Place operational improvements and a consulting study are informing program changes. Staff reported progress on capital maintenance and on implementing a consultant’s recommendations to increase rentals and reduce net operating costs.

Housing and economic partnerships: staff summarized recent work to secure state grants, support Habitat for Humanity acquisitions and coordinate comprehensive‑plan updates to unlock further growth. City Manager Holman said the city is “well ahead of the curve” on planning for future industrial and residential expansions and is pursuing grants and legislative support for infrastructure projects.

Why it matters: staff framed the development work as the long game behind the city’s financial model — enabling growth that broadens the tax base rather than relying solely on recurring rate increases. Councilmembers asked for follow‑up on small‑business supports and vacant storefronts; staff said outreach and specific permitting changes (home‑business rules and incubation programs) would be part of future presentations.

Next steps: economic development staff said they will return with project‑level budget impacts and a fuller marketing plan for retail recruitment and small‑business incubation this summer.","City staff highlighted several economic development successes and ongoing projects — including industrial land sales, Amazon and Mercer‑related developments, the cross‑country course and a water‑line partnership — that staff say will add jobs and one‑time and recurring tax revenue over time.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Workshops shows street fund shortfall and proposes options; stormwater plan set for multi‑year capital push

Staff proposes fee changes that could generate up to $1 million; council asks for separated business‑license review

Council hears growing law‑enforcement costs, uncertainty over SHREC and jail spending

Spokane Valley managers outline $1.3M recurring deficit, multi-month budget process at June workshop

City leaders point to Northeast Industrial Area, new retail wins and cross‑country course as long‑term revenue drivers