County continues hearing on Liberty Lake TIF extension to 2034; residents urge protection of Otis Orchards

The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners opened a public hearing on a resolution to extend the tax-increment financing (TIF) plan for Spokane County increment area 2005-01 and to align the TIF with the state Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT) grant program. County legal counsel and staff said the extension would allow the county and participating jurisdictions to access up to $1 million per year in state LIFT funds through July 1, 2034, if the jurisdictions continue the match.

Why it matters: Extending the TIF term and increasing the estimated principal allows the county and partner jurisdictions to pair local TIF dollars with state LIFT money, which supporters said has driven major infrastructure and assessed-value growth in Liberty Lake. Opponents said the plan risks converting farmland and rural land north of the Spokane River and urged the county to preserve rural character.

What was proposed

Roy Cogan, special deputy prosecutor for the county, told commissioners the TIF was formed in February 2005 and amended in February 2020, and that the proposal would extend the TIF through July 1, 2034 (the termination date of the LIFT program) and increase the estimated principal amount of public improvements that could be financed from $20 million to $30 million. The proposal would add an explicit definition permitting “permanent affordable housing” as a public improvement to be financed should jurisdictions later choose that use.

Staff and legal presentations clarified boundaries and limitations

County staff showed maps and emphasized that the TIF boundaries—established in 2005 and unchanged by this proposal—include lands both south and north of the Spokane River but that current planned public improvements are south of the river and within the City of Liberty Lake. Planning staff noted that parcels north of the river lie outside the county’s urban growth area (UGA), meaning county land-use rules currently limit the use of TIF funds there until such parcels are placed in a UGA through the comprehensive-plan process.

Public comment and local opposition

Several residents from Otis Orchards and nearby unincorporated areas spoke against development north of the river and in support of preserving farmland and rural character. Casey Dors said she opposed moving municipal boundaries north of the river and urged investment instead in Wellesley Avenue. Catherine Goggin, Marion Loenam and Janelle Rigsby described loss of farmland, light and noise pollution, and concerns about lower-density rural living being converted to higher-density development. Kyle Dixon, finance director for the City of Liberty Lake, and developer representative Jim Frank and others described the TIF and LIFT program’s past investments, citing roughly $25 million in completed improvements and large increases in assessed value inside the TIF since 2006.

Next steps and county position

County staff told the board that political subdivisions’ contributions (City of Liberty Lake, Spokane Valley Fire, library district and the county) are still being negotiated and that the county would continue the hearing for decision-only to Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at the 2:00 p.m. consent agenda meeting so the jurisdictions could finalize contribution agreements.

Ending

The board left the record open for public testimony, heard a series of comments from residents and local officials, and continued the matter for decision on Nov. 17, 2025. No final vote or ordinance amendment occurred at the hearing.