County, city at odds as Spokane moves to create its own 911 system; county considers reauthorization timing

County staff told commissioners Tuesday that the City of Spokane voted unanimously Sept. 15 to proceed with creating its own 911 system, a move county staff said could require reconsideration of a countywide emergency communications funding measure. "They finally took action," a county staff member noted during the Sept. 16 briefing.

County staff said the existing emergency communications funding authority expires at the end of 2027 and that a renewal typically is placed on the ballot the year before expiration to avoid a special election. The county attorney’s office advised that the existing funding measure is countywide and cannot legally exclude the city; any county ballot measure would need to be written countywide. Staff recommended discussing strategy — whether to seek continued funding, redesign the apportionment, or let the current arrangement lapse and rebuild a structure that better balances city and county costs.

No formal decision was made at the briefing. Commissioners discussed the political and practical implications: one commissioner said the county is unlikely to approve continuing to subsidize a city-heavy apportionment and suggested restructuring if the county seeks renewal. Staff said they would coordinate communications and provide details for media inquiries when plans solidify. County staff also noted that the county expects media interest in both the reauthorization question and any task force announcements coming later this year.