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County outlines plan to expand STARS sobering capacity; seeks opioid ILA funding agreement with city
Summary
County staff described plans to expand STARS sobering capacity by 12 slots (to add 12 additional slots), renovations at the STARS facility, transportation coordination with city and fire, and a proposed interlocal agreement (ILA) with the city to share opioid-related funding for operations.
Spokane County staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners on May 20 about plans to expand the STARS sobering facility, renovate a recently purchased building, coordinate transportation and finalize an interlocal agreement (ILA) with the City of Spokane for opioid-response funding.
Staff said the building purchase closed and a 10-year contract with the Washington State Department of Commerce and the county is in place; renovations are scheduled to begin with a goal of not disrupting existing sobering services. Staff described the planned expansion as adding 12 additional “slots” (some of which are chairs rather than beds) to the facility’s capacity, which staff said will be used for 23‑hour‑59‑minute sobering services.
Transportation and handoffs between city, county and emergency responders were a major focus of commissioners’ questions. Staff said STARS currently provides transport within city limits and that the county and city are developing handoff plans at city limits and exploring use of alternative vehicles; they said they are also discussing whether STARS can use other County transport resources. Staff said they are coordinating with the sheriff’s office and fire department for drop-offs and confirming that STARS’ in-house transport resources serve treatment pathways after sobering.
On funding, staff reported ongoing negotiations with the City of Spokane and the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) about how much each partner will contribute to expanded operations. Staff said the most recent city proposal would provide $350,000 toward the first year and that the county and SRHD had discussed different splits; staff warned that one‑year funding commitments complicate staffing and retention, and they said they prefer multi‑year commitments or a transition buffer year to ensure long-term sustainability. The board was told the city council will consider the ILA on June 2 and the county expects to schedule a county signature on June 3.
Staff also discussed operating hours and clinical staffing needs for expanded withdrawal-management and medication‑assisted treatment (OUD/MAT) services. They said assessments and intake require medical screening and that expanded “walk‑in” hours are most effective between roughly 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.; the county is evaluating whether to add later weekday hours or Saturday morning walk-in windows to improve access while preserving clinical safety.
Commissioners asked about the distinction between beds and chairs, whether slots would be funded with state SUD (substance‑use disorder) dollars, and how changes to federal Medicaid rules could affect county funding pools. Staff said they are tracking federal proposals and will return with further financial projections as details become available.
No formal board action occurred during the briefing; staff said the ILA and any funding agreements would come to the board for signature as required.
