Council hears public support and concern as parks levy resolution is proposed for ballot

The Spokane City Council introduced a resolution proposing a 20-year property-tax levy to fund park improvements and increased maintenance, hearing public testimony both for the measure and critical of recent homelessness policy decisions.

Resolution 2025-0026, described by staff at the meeting, would propose a levy "beginning in 2026 in an amount exceeding the limitations of chapter 84.55 RCW to provide funding for park improvements and safety citywide," and would ask the Spokane County Auditor to place the measure on the November ballot. Several residents spoke during public comment, and several council members described the proposal as a long-range investment in parks and neighborhoods.

Why it matters: the measure would raise property-tax revenue for renovating aging parks, restrooms, playgrounds and trails, and for hiring park rangers and maintenance personnel—steps proponents say will make parks safer and more accessible citywide.

Public testimony was mixed. John Alder, speaking from Northeast Spokane, said he would "gladly vote yes for any levy that updates, maintains our parks," and Louisa Seaver, who said she works outside, told the council "this levy to increase funding for renovations to parks is absolutely necessary." They cited community benefits including jobs and outdoor access.

Other speakers linked the levy to recent City Council decisions about camping in parks. Derek Gazzaro (recorded in the transcript as "Derek Gazzaro" and speaking for District 1) said the parks proposal is valuable but criticized the council for voting to reject Proposition 1 and said, "You just eliminated Prop 1" and that the lack of protections for parks worries him; he also questioned the planned staffing level for park rangers, saying the plan named only four park rangers. Dennis Flynn urged voters to evaluate the parks plan carefully but called it "a long time coming." Several council members, including Council member Klitzke and Council member Dillard, voiced support for placing the measure on the ballot and said the proposal includes district-level accountability and partnership with the school district.

Council discussion and next steps: council members described the proposal as the result of a work group and as a long-term investment, noting that project lists and district allocations are available for public review (council members referenced TogetherSpokane.com for more information). The resolution was introduced and staff called for a vote later in the meeting; the transcript records discussion and public comment but does not include the result of a final recorded council vote on the resolution.

Ending: the council advanced the item to the next procedural step in the meeting, with members urging public review and participation; a final vote to place the levy on the ballot was not recorded in the transcript.