Spokane County commissioners give direction on $41M–$46M bond package including courthouse, clean‑building and golf options

Spokane County commissioners on Oct. 20 discussed a proposed bond package that would fund clean‑building campus upgrades, renovations at the Monroe Court building and capital needs for county golf courses, and gave staff direction on target dollar amounts ahead of a resolution briefing.

The discussion focused on a baseline $36 million bid for clean‑building upgrades, an increase in the Monroe Court renovation allocation from $3.5 million to $5 million, and a possible $5 million bond for golf course infrastructure. Commissioners and staff discussed scenarios that would put the total bond between roughly $40 million and $46.05 million depending on whether golf debt remains the county's obligation or is paid from the golf enterprise fund.

Why it matters: The package would fund multiple capital priorities across county facilities and parks, affect the county's annual debt service and REIT (revenue‑earmarked) capacity, and require the finance committee and bond‑resolution steps before final action.

Commissioners and staff described the major components of the proposed debt. Staff said the clean‑buildings upgrades project is “a $36,000,000 nut” based on bids; commissioners discussed folding smaller related power‑switch projects (for example, a campground main switch) into the same offering for efficiency. For courthouse needs, staff recommended increasing the Monroe Court allocation from $3.5 million to $5 million to allow a fuller Third Floor fit‑out for the prosecutor's office and related remodeling work. That change would raise the county's projected annual bond debt service to roughly $3.32 million at a 40‑million debt level and more at higher totals.

Commissioners also debated whether to program golf course improvements through the county's REIT or have the golf enterprise fund carry the debt service for a $5 million golf project (maintenance building, driving‑range net improvements and related items). Staff said golf's enterprise nature and projected revenues could support bonding within that fund; commissioners asked staff to confirm golf management's preference and whether certain improvements (for example, netting) qualify as capital under the relevant rules.

The board directed staff to proceed with bond planning on the revised numbers, including: increasing Monroe Court funding to $5 million, assuming the clean‑building project remains at approximately $36 million, and preparing bond documents and a schedule to present in the finance committee and at upcoming meetings. Staff said Diana (staff) will brief the bond resolution and that a consent‑agenda action will follow soon. No final bond resolution or vote was taken at this meeting; commissioners explicitly framed the discussion as direction, not final action.

Staff and commissioners noted next steps: formalizing the debt policy review through the finance committee, confirming whether parks/golf will carry the golf debt, and scheduling a bond‑resolution briefing for the board and treasurer's office. Staff said the finance committee should review the debt‑policy language that clarifies the Board of County Commissioners’ role in selecting bond counsel, municipal adviser and underwriter.

Looking ahead: Staff will present a bond resolution briefing and updated debt‑service tables at an upcoming meeting and the finance committee will review the debt policy before finalizing a bond sale. Commissioners indicated they expect a timely final action once staff returns with the resolution and confirmations requested during the discussion.