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County to split cost with Spokane Valley to update regional stormwater manual; $160,000 consultant proposal
Summary
Spokane County’s stormwater utility requested a 50/50 interlocal agreement with Spokane Valley to fund an update to the Spokane Regional Stormwater Manual; staff said Ecology changed Eastern Washington guidance and local maintenance and permit requirements drive the update.
Spokane County stormwater staff asked commissioners on Feb. 18 to approve an interlocal agreement with the City of Spokane Valley to update the Spokane Regional Stormwater Manual (SRSM), a locally tailored guidance document last revised in 2008.
Ben Vrativo and water‑management staff told commissioners the Department of Ecology updated its Eastern Washington stormwater manual and that the county’s SRSM should be revised to reflect permit changes, clarify maintenance responsibilities for facilities that transfer to county ownership and incorporate locally appropriate design and vegetation practices.
The consulting project the utility proposed would cost roughly $160,000 in total, with Spokane County and Spokane Valley each paying about $80,000. Staff said the consultant would draft a manual consistent with Ecology’s Eastern Washington guidance while allowing local technical approaches — for example, the manual could expand acceptable options beyond traditional grassed swales to allow native planting or rock soils where appropriate.
Commissioners asked for examples of substantive changes expected; staff replied that most updates are maintenance and permitting requirements rather than fundamental design changes for sizing stormwater facilities, and that the consultant will identify specific updates during the project. Staff said the final manual and any permit‑driven changes would go through the Department of Ecology review and the county’s public process before adoption.
Ending: Staff asked the board to approve an interlocal agreement and a consulting contract authorization; no vote was recorded at the briefing and staff said the item will return to the board in a future session for formal action.
