[{"_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",6140145,"mediaKeyId","5579483-5a82635d60c48a8d1b0998f8df92c558","parentId",5579483,"title","County staff propose dedicated code‑enforcement role, broader nuisance code and seed fund for abatements","audioSeconds",627,"startMs",11745000,"endMs",12372000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579483-5a82635d60c48a8d1b0998f8df92c558&start=11745&end=12372","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579483-5a82635d60c48a8d1b0998f8df92c558/thumbnail_11745000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6140145/Spokane-County/Washington/County-staff-propose-dedicated-codeenforcement-role-broader-nuisance-code-and-seed-fund-for-abatements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140145-77611e9a5decdcada34413295bd14f6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149078&Signature=KGqjRqPimjfndS0T45HRglg3E4TxHp1ZsycAIXZQNNsECkFrphthu6f1ZMp1~37zkK7bbMTJZAhskKpn91W1H3L09w1wvgm9q4Z-qBAKy9nh7YcQiEia0UqZVXb-zr2Dj9M2eDpoHvUJdAEsPcYpxwh2a5fbMwcABMHTbptc5B5ngdGAcLJqeCxXqvFCXTgU~2hqhnLO51haO1JixMfQ28KU0~8Z9NvjkSTqid2rw7DB7uowrDTJOIUCVo9W53Pp2IRziwzNwWJ3Q3WBbfxlfsopWXayDblAkYzTnFv1K9-lawYw2UB9dVcF4rS0CcLu1qh~8eE7j7hP0Rj2aDAG~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Spokane County, WA","date","2025-08-12T07:35:54Z","article","County staff and the prosecution team briefed commissioners on a plan to strengthen enforcement of Spokane County code by amending nuisance and related code sections, creating a centralized code‑enforcement function, and setting up contracting and funding to execute abatements.

Presenters said Spokane County currently lacks a consistent, centralized enforcement unit: building and planning departments receive complaints and may issue stop‑work orders or notices, but heavy criminal remedies exist only as a last resort and the county has not routinely used civil penalties or a central abatement process. Staff described frequent calls about junk vehicles, hazardous debris piles and abandoned or partially burned structures. The panel said the current Title 6.13 nuisance code is useful but too narrow and not well integrated with solid‑waste, building and zoning titles (3, 8, 11, 14) to provide a functional countywide enforcement pathway.

The staff recommendation includes three parts: (1) amend the nuisance ordinance to broaden covered conditions and explicitly authorize a civil‑infraction process and abatement remedies; (2) create a code‑enforcement officer or small task force whose job is investigation, remediation planning, coordination with subject matter staff (building/planning/health) and frontline contact with complainants; and (3) establish an abatement execution contract with third‑party vendors (waste haulers, tow companies, hazardous‑waste contractors) and seed the initial abatement costs with a dedicated fund. Staff suggested possible seed funding sources such as a small incremental increase to solid‑waste tipping fees (examples discussed: $1–$2 per ton scenarios) and emphasized that abatement costs would, in most cases, be recorded as special assessments or liens that the county can recover later.

Prosecutors and staff framed civil infraction authority as a practical tool: it lowers the burden of proof compared with criminal prosecution, is faster for resolving nuisance conditions and creates a pathway to recover abatement costs. Commissioners signaled support for the concept and asked staff to advance ordinance language and funding scenarios for future board consideration.

Ending: Staff will prepare draft nuisance‑code amendments, options for the size and structure of a code‑enforcement unit and funding scenarios (including tipping‑fee models and lien recovery processes) for the board’s review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025.08.11 Strategic Planning Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Staff proposed creating a dedicated code‑enforcement officer or unit, broadening the county nuisance code to permit civil infractions and establishing an upfront abatement fund (potentially seeded from solid‑waste tipping fees) to pay for cleaning hazardous properties and then recover costs via liens.","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},6140150,"County planners present EIS framework, wind‑energy constraint map and housing shortfalls for 2026 comp‑plan update",3611,3409000,7020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579483-5a82635d60c48a8d1b0998f8df92c558&start=3409&end=7020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579483-5a82635d60c48a8d1b0998f8df92c558/thumbnail_3409000.jpg","/articles/6140150/Spokane-County/Washington/County-planners-present-EIS-framework-windenergy-constraint-map-and-housing-shortfalls-for-2026-compplan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140150-518782f5f11e87b41f2d294e0654760c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149078&Signature=KY~g4koZJ-XJMs5cNSs~oIBeosspLI-OatM8Ky-RIqzVIlc3Jqem0gfTgC8suSW6BG3DE-dmerb4KR~UC12M4mcDYuUu0C1AmVBbJJajeDy9xsfj2TaNj0lysVhe11wCjYnWEy9raOK0ru0qd-tjq0wR7n3whflcp5emuOlr2yBnJT4VyZ7GTJI77xt2gknjmojor-Eg3yUfU2CrUIpSP1f0EYka5nfPA-KlaX2dBtdC4Jxu44Ngm-v3oOfk7F5yfn2ZU4RTfyb8va0OgEfsyiPAWg03GpZooK7PQa3q1RkyFEKN2aSM83iBOZvgSw7A67hX0DdVgqScdrS6-d9kzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Spokane County planning staff presented a multi‑topic briefing on the 2026 comprehensive plan update and related Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) work, asking the Board of County Commissioners for preliminary direction on the range of alternatives to analyze.

The presentation covered critical areas and shoreline master program amendments, climate and resilience mapping, a coordinated water system plan update, a constraint map for commercial wind energy, and housing and jobs projections; staff asked the board for a “head nod” to advance EIS alternatives and to continue coordinated work with the cities and other jurisdictions.

On climate and public‑health exposure staff presented maps showing broad heat and smoke exposure areas, and an overlay identifying higher concentrations of older adults in more exposed neighborhoods. Staff highlighted drought risk tied to below‑normal snowpack in many agricultural areas and noted the interrelationship of wildfire, lower absorption on burned lands and increased flood susceptibility.

On commercial wind energy, planning staff displayed a composite constraint map that overlays average wind speed, biodiversity areas (Columbia Plateau), channeled scabland protections (Turnbull), and a 15‑mile radius requested by Fairchild Air Force Base. The map identifies roughly six sections in southeast county with the fewest combined constraints but also notes significant agricultural land (designated “egg” prime/important farmland in the presentation) that state law protects; staff said any developer would need detailed mitigation analyses to win approval.

Staff described Shrek (the county’s regional communications entity in the presentation) and Fairchild’s request to the governor to consider a statewide buffer around military airfields for wind turbine siting. Commissioners asked staff to draft a potential letter of support for Fairchild to protect mission requirements; staff offered to prepare language for review.

On housing, staff showed the county’s capacity analysis: under the county’s current zoning patterns the analysis attributes lower effective unit yields (historic build‑out assumptions) to low‑density areas (a cited average of about 4.46 persons per dwelling in the presentation adjustments), and staff said the unincorporated county would have a large shortfall in lower‑income (0–80% AMI) housing under current assumptions. The presentation compared that “do nothing” scenario with an “infill” alternative that models higher densities (e.g., assumptions modeled at 8, 15, 20 and 30 dwelling units per acre in different zones) and a third alternative that contemplates UGA boundary changes or swaps. Staff emphasized the EIS will examine the environmental and infrastructure consequences of those options and will require jurisdictions to substantiate their capacity to serve growth (water, capital facilities, sewer, transportation).

Staff outlined a schedule: steering‑committee follow‑up in September, focused public outreach starting in late September–October, a return to the board with a recommended preferred alternative in November and an overall EIS process timed to comply with the 2026 statutory deadline. Commissioners asked staff to accelerate data requests to cities (especially Spokane Valley) that staff indicated had not yet finalized capacity responses.

Ending: Staff will return with a more detailed recommended preferred alternative and with additional analysis of water capacity, capital facilities, and a proposed wind‑energy mitigation framework for consideration at follow‑up hearings this fall.","Planning staff briefed commissioners on the comprehensive plan update, presenting environmental, climate and critical‑areas findings, a constraint map for commercial wind energy, a water planning gap assessment, and housing capacity shortfalls that the EIS alternatives will study ahead of the 2026 deadline.",{"_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},6140155,"County to accept $126,900 estate gift to SCRAPS; plaque and needlepoint memorial to be placed",196,4000000,4196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579483-5a82635d60c48a8d1b0998f8df92c558&start=4000&end=4196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579483-5a82635d60c48a8d1b0998f8df92c558/thumbnail_4000000.jpg","/articles/6140155/Spokane-County/Washington/County-to-accept-126900-estate-gift-to-SCRAPS-plaque-and-needlepoint-memorial-to-be-placed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140155-da19fdda2873c62b667996e8f4fa3eeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149078&Signature=hMoJexO6nyY8C1y24CMOp~PqVWK8Xzl6BAuYssAD5iQXIFmsBCWqTRa3nWUaL67kS68buRT6Oig0bUEVMunerVgAraJfkiFxWsGupQcYHmpXByMdCPy~4abmbBVyo3wwYpfAYvBUMIoRN0O8degAhDM~SrrqoMvwLZMcUlbZlPgK~2BeIUNVrs8wnWEbyJxR7djxKkTDsVhN11Y7kvFXXi-oQELPxVcjeQdvIfatc-5ZyeRs0P8cFaYUzsocUuark9g4g0PaNE-AwnFtYYHhXu~ifLnlXGGXtuM7jbzyVLoqcqbPz4zw0tSyh~59qRCPmyVPy~TAArdkswaJh9gEfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Spokane County staff placed a resolution on the consent calendar for the next scheduled session to accept an estate gift of $126,900 to SCRAPS, the county’s animal welfare organization, and to authorize placement of a commemorative plaque and the donor’s needlepoint in SCRAPS facilities.

The donation and recognition were described by Diana, who identified herself as the personal representative for the donor. Diana told the commission she had cared for the donor for years and described the donor’s history of bringing cats to SCRAPS; the donor had previously arranged for each pet’s cremation and asked that a needlepoint be displayed at the facility as part of the memorial.

County staff noted a small inconsistency between amounts shown on the printed agenda and the draft resolution; staff said they corrected the resolution to the final value (the resolution in the packet was updated to reflect the correct amount). Commissioners scheduled the resolution to be considered at the county’s 2 p.m. consent session the following day and offered to have the chair and Diana present for a short recognition and photograph.

Ending: County staff will present the finalized resolution on the consent agenda at the next public session; commissioners and staff indicated they would attend to make brief remarks and photograph the presentation.","A personal representative notified the county that an estate gift of about $126,900 will be donated to SCRAPS; commissioners scheduled a consent resolution for the following day's session to accept the funds and to dedicate a plaque and needlepoint display.",{"_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},6140160,"Spokane County staff to pursue $30M campus bond and separate $20M financing for Shrek operations",754,1686000,2440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5579483-5a82635d60c48a8d1b0998f8df92c558&start=1686&end=2440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5579483-5a82635d60c48a8d1b0998f8df92c558/thumbnail_1686000.jpg","/articles/6140160/Spokane-County/Washington/Spokane-County-staff-to-pursue-30M-campus-bond-and-separate-20M-financing-for-Shrek-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140160-20cc124cdb8304e68c03ba6d67905dc6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149078&Signature=WYyOIJRx~Ya80cXffpo8Z2CsZplgqai0bDBM0loPXEile8WKDvjBUrWM3RnGr6VcWj8kNIe7KYKJ7CSE9ztuJ7LTx~Iwrea8aSt91EQHLqqTFlr~A-ZdAPfFgvLVv8huya5jOKemK5~T77J-SBYz-sJ6yeeQqPWq1iFPNfdFPDh57AZwIK2dQAf9ckEcmWcSDFZOPZL38vAx-zuxG9MCqkxPOXjTXWGDS7O2J8vB2wxRqHJtnhr~iqplYhL55zXK0lmSvogQ36IENQoLAsO5ZwmSl8~yR3wxqIa8WKi6TfkO0OKfcIiUVlHe3KSLrrEe8q8LweVMzrnsnx6-7umB0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Spokane County commissioners directed staff to refine financing scenarios this week after a presentation showing how a $30 million bond for county campus infrastructure and a separate roughly $20 million bond for Shrek-related facilities could be structured. The board did not take a vote to issue bonds but agreed to return with specific resolutions and a recommended financing schedule.

The matter matters because the county faces aging campus systems (boilers, electrical switchgear and related upgrades) and Shrek has asked for help financing a building remodel, new telephone and console systems and microwave links between towers. County staff and financial advisor Scott Bauer of Northwest Municipal Advisors presented sample debt schedules, repayment approaches and legal safeguards for the Shrek portion.

Bauer told the commissioners the sample 20‑year financing for the $30 million campus bond results in an all‑in true interest cost of about 4.94 percent (including a half‑point market cushion) and roughly $2.4 million in annual debt service, producing about $48 million of total debt service over 20 years. For the Shrek portion, staff showed two options: a 20‑year and a 30‑year structure. The longer term reduces annual payments but increases total interest costs (staff estimated roughly $8.9 million higher total debt service for a 30‑year structure versus 20‑year in their scenario). Bauer also noted outstanding callable county LTGO issues that could be considered for refinancing if savings materialize.

Staff described the repayment approach for Shrek financing as a contract (interlocal agreement) between Shrek and the county: Shrek would be expected to reimburse the county from its pledged revenues (including communications sales tax receipts and any 9‑1‑1 excise tax revenues Shrek chooses to pledge), and the county’s LTGO pledge would remain the underlying credit in the bond market. County staff said the interlocal language would serve as a contractual backstop if Shrek revenues are insufficient.

County staff gave a breakdown of Shrek needs: the presenters said Shrek has already used cash for building purchase and is seeking roughly $12 million for remodels and outfitting and about $8 million for microwave and connectivity projects the next three years, for a total near $20 million. Staff also cited significant system costs such as a replacement telephone system estimated at $7–9 million and a CAT system cost near $5.7 million.

Commissioners pressed staff on timing, market sensitivity around the November midterm elections, the effect on reserve balances and how bond sizing would interact with other capital choices such as an Almentum tax parcel system replacement estimated near $10 million. Staff said bond issuance would likely be after election day under the proposed schedule, with a roughly three‑month financing timeline from documentation to closing, and that they would include options in a draft resolution to allow adjusting principal amounts and delegating sale authority later.

On other financing details, staff reported combined remaining REIT (REET as presented) capacity of about $4.7 million across two funds and noted recent legislative changes that allow new flexibility to use a portion of REIT for maintenance and operations, which commissioners said will factor into prioritization.

Direction to staff: commissioners agreed they wanted bond scenarios run for multiple sizes (e.g., $30M, $40M, $45M) and to explicitly model adding the $10M Almentum/treasurer system replacement; to show separate series for county and Shrek (the board favored keeping the county series and the Shrek series distinct so liabilities and repayment are clear); and to return with draft resolutions, interlocal agreement language and refined schedules for consideration in October.

No formal financing resolution was adopted at the meeting. Staff said they will bring a bond resolution and supporting materials (including rating‑agency briefing materials) back to the board once scenarios are refined.

Ending: The board asked staff and the county’s advisors to produce the detailed schedules and draft documents so the commissioners can consider formal authorization this fall. Commissioners also asked staff to include clear cost and reserve impacts in the materials and to show legal limits and contingencies in the interlocal agreement for Shrek repayment.","County commissioners discussed issuing up to $30 million in bonds for campus infrastructure and a separate approximately $20 million financing request tied to Shrek operations; staff were directed to refine scenarios, run alternatives and return with resolutions and interlocal language for repayment safeguards.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County staff propose dedicated code‑enforcement role, broader nuisance code and seed fund for abatements

County planners present EIS framework, wind‑energy constraint map and housing shortfalls for 2026 comp‑plan update

County to accept $126,900 estate gift to SCRAPS; plaque and needlepoint memorial to be placed

Spokane County staff to pursue $30M campus bond and separate $20M financing for Shrek operations