Spokane County adopts updated courthouse parking code, raises public parking fees and adds ParkMobile

Spokane County commissioners on Aug. 12 voted unanimously to repeal Spokane County Code chapter 46.48 and adopt a new chapter 46.48A governing courthouse complex parking, and to adopt a revised public parking fee schedule and payment system.

Ashley Cloud, representing Spokane County staff, presented the update, noting the existing code had not been substantially revised in more than 20 years and that the changes would modernize permits, move from paper permits to virtual/license-plate-based permits, and enable electronic payment options. “We need to change our physical parking permits to the virtual, revised, encode, as you'll see, to enable us to use new and improved, modern technology, for license plate reading and no longer having to use paper codes,” Cloud said.

Specific elements the county adopted or will implement include: - Repeal of Spokane County Code chapter 46.48 and adoption of Spokane County Code chapter 46.48A to reflect updated parking rules and maps. - A revised fee schedule for public parking and citation increases; staff said the county last adjusted fees in 2013 and the proposed new rates align with the City of Spokane’s minimum parking rates. - Recommended movement of most public parking rates from the prior roughly $15–$30 range to a $30–$65 range, with disabled parking infractions to remain subject to a $450 penalty as before. - Implementation of ParkMobile (a cloud-based parking-payment platform used by the City of Spokane) and installation of kiosks; ParkMobile supports app, phone, and text payments and the county will maintain kiosk options to accept cash or coins for those who prefer not to use the app. - No change to employee-leased parking; employee-leased spaces are excluded from the proposed fee schedule changes.

Cloud said the county negotiated a lower Omnia contract transaction fee of $0.35 per ParkMobile transaction (below a typical 45¢ rate) and that there is no upfront cost to implement the system under the Omnia contract. Commissioners asked a legal question about whether a decision was required immediately; staff said a decision could be made at the same meeting. A motion to approve the code repeal, adoption of chapter 46.48A, and adoption of the accompanying fee schedule passed unanimously.

Discussion versus formal action: the presentation informed the board and public on the updated code and fee schedule; commissioners formally approved the repeal and adoption by motion and unanimous vote during the Aug. 12 meeting.

Clarifying details: staff confirmed employee-leased parking is not affected, kiosks will remain available for cash payments, ParkMobile supports multiple payment channels, and the county expects to continue subsidizing parking repairs from the general fund even after rate changes.