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County pursues federal earmark for stabilization center; county receives $775,000 Commerce award to help buy local sobering facility
Summary
County staff discussed submitting both a stabilization center earmark and a clean buildings request; county communications reported a $775,000 Department of Commerce award toward purchase of a behavioral-health property and start-up operations funding.
Selenius, staff member, Spokane County (federal agenda), briefed commissioners on March 4 about options for applying to the federal earmark process and reported that U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s portal is open for requests.
Selenius said staff face three budget-outcome possibilities for federal fiscal year 2025: a passed budget that would likely include the county’s current earmark priorities, a continuing resolution that would not include new earmarks, or other combinations. Because outcomes are uncertain, Selenius recommended submitting both (1) an earmark request for the county’s crisis stabilization center expansion (their top priority) and (2) a request tied to the county’s clean-buildings/infrastructure needs for the next fiscal year, then withdrawing one if the other is funded.
"One of the options is to basically submit both," Selenius said, adding that the county could later "pull one back" if the Stabilization Center receives funds in the current budget.
Pat, communications staff, and others confirmed an existing Commerce award tied to behavioral-health property acquisition. Pat said the county received a $775,000 award from the Washington State Department of Commerce as a 25% matching grant to help purchase the "Cali" property, which has been developed into a behavioral-health facility delivering triage and sobering services since last summer. Pat said the project also includes additional county funds for start-up operating costs. In the briefing materials staff referenced a total project funding figure given as about $1.2–$1.25 million, but the transcript does not provide a clear single total; commissioners and staff said the $775,000 Commerce award would assist with a down payment and that remaining funds will support startup operations.
Staff said they will begin gathering letters of support for the clean-buildings ask (noting the unusual nature of that request) and will contact federal offices to explain the county’s strategy. Staff discussed potential partners for support letters, including university climate centers and municipal partners.
No formal board action was taken during the briefing. Staff said they will follow up with the county’s federal delegation offices and return with final recommendations after March developments in Washington, D.C.
