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Council splits on West Quadrant TIF: $111,000 reimbursement fails, $229,692 approved
Summary
The Spokane City Council on Oct. 6 rejected a $111,000 tax-increment financing reimbursement to a developer but approved $229,692 in TIF funding for other public improvements in the West Central neighborhood.
The Spokane City Council on Oct. 6 rejected a $111,000 tax-increment financing reimbursement to a property owner but approved $229,692 in TIF funding for other public improvements in the West Central neighborhood.
Council members debated whether TIF funds should reimburse work that developers were already required to perform as part of their projects. Council member McClitsky said she would not support reimbursing a developer for work that “they've already been required to do,” while Council member Dylan said it was unfair to subsidize one property owner over others who must replace sidewalks and maintain property.
Council member Klitsky and others argued the project would reimburse a developer for obligations that should remain private, and said neighborhood priorities and equity across property owners mattered. Council member Bridal and multiple other council members defended use of TIF funds for public improvements in a development area, noting TIF’s purpose is to capture increased tax revenue from development to fund improvements within that geographic zone.
A motion to defer consideration of the $111,000 reimbursement for four weeks was moved, seconded and then defeated. After debate the council voted not to approve the $111,000 reimbursement; the recorded tally announced by the chair was 5 to 2 against.
Later in the meeting the council considered a related TIF resolution to accept $229,692 for public improvements as part of the West Central infrastructure project and the 27 by 2027 urban mobility network. Council members who supported that measure described it as funding crossing and route improvements that were not the private developer’s obligation. That resolution passed unanimously, 7-0.
Council members also discussed the composition and role of the West Quadrant TIF advisory committee. Several members urged more transparency and asked for the advisory committee to appear before council if questions about its recommendations remain. Multiple council members noted the board is appointed in part by the council and suggested recall or replacement if necessary.
The debate highlighted tension over how TIF funds should be used—whether to reimburse required developer work or to pay for enhancements above and beyond development obligations. Councilors expressed differing views on precedent and fairness; the council resolved the two items separately, rejecting the reimbursement while approving a different neighborhood improvement allocation.
