The Spokane Valley City Council unanimously approved on Jan. 7 the council's designation of 10 dedicated law-enforcement positions to be filled as part of the city's 2025 staffing plan and authorized staff to finalize an amended interlocal law-enforcement services agreement.

Deputy City Manager Eric Lamb and Police Chief Dave Ellis presented the recommendation after public outreach and a staffing analysis. The recommended configuration allocates the 10 authorized positions as: four patrol deputies, one patrol lieutenant (new), conversion of one patrol sergeant to patrol lieutenant (net two additional lieutenants), one traffic deputy, one homeless services deputy (to provide seven-days-a-week coverage), two Spokane Valley Investigative Unit (SVIU) detectives, and one SVIU sergeant. Chief Ellis said the added SVIU sergeant would address the increased span of control as investigators and detectives are added.

Chief Ellis explained that adding four patrol deputies increases maximum platoon deployment from 10 to 11 officers per platoon, and the two additional patrol lieutenants will allow 24/7 lieutenant coverage in middle management. The new homeless outreach deputy position is already filled by Officer Dan Spiewack, the chief said; Ellis said the second homeless outreach officer provides seven-day coverage rather than limited weekday coverage.

Staff told the council the position reconfiguration increases the estimated cost by about $140,000 over the amount included in February 2024 budget estimates. Lamb said the 2025 budget contains approximately $411,000 more recurring revenues than expenditures, and those funds could cover the extra cost with a subsequent budget amendment. Council members also discussed necessary precinct facility modifications to create offices for additional lieutenants and to keep work groups together; the consultant conducting a precinct space-needs assessment has produced a plan but staff said cost estimates for the reconfiguration are not yet complete. Council previously set aside $1.5 million toward a new public-safety facility; staff said portions of the previously allocated funds could be used for the interim precinct improvements.

Council members asked how soon new hires would be available for solo duty; staff provided a training-and-release schedule that shows multiple recruits in various training phases and said the city has begun hiring into the 10 positions and has already filled three with officers in training. Chief Ellis and deputy city manager said the positions are "dedicated" under the interlocal agreement with the sheriff's office, meaning the officers' primary responsibility is Spokane Valley, though specialty units may be countywide and mutual aid remains possible. When asked whether the city tracks time dedicated outside the city, staff said they would check existing reports.

Council debated whether council should specify particular positions versus focusing on performance outcomes for the interlocal contract. Council Member Marco urged a focus on performance measures rather than prescribing specific ranks or titles; others said approving dedicated positions is appropriate given the council's fiscal responsibility. The motion to approve the 10 designated positions and to direct staff to finalize an amendment to the interlocal agreement passed unanimously.