Spokane council adopts grant-accepting SBOs and capital plan; parking tax decision delayed

Spokane City Council on Nov. 17 adopted several supplemental budget ordinances (SBOs) to accept grant dollars and reimbursements aimed at supporting both fire and law enforcement, the council announced in a brief recap.

Michael Cathcart, Spokane City Council representative for District 1, said the council also supported a resolution to emphasize “community days,” a new outreach strategy to invite community groups to City Hall and make staff available before council meetings. Cathcart described the initiative as a way “to put together a strategy for better outreach” and to provide opportunities for community groups to be present prior to regular meetings.

The council approved a proposal to sell a pair of surplus properties, with proceeds designated to the city’s general fund and reserves, Cathcart said; the transcript did not include property identifiers or dollar amounts. The council also held a hearing on the citywide capital improvement program and adopted the plan following that hearing.

On budgeting and taxes, Cathcart said the mid-biennial budget update and a proposed commercial parking tax are scheduled for the Nov. 24 meeting. The council took testimony on the parking tax proposal this week but postponed final deliberations and decisions until Nov. 24. Cathcart also said council members considered proposed annual rate increases for general facility charges (GFCs) and impact fees, which typically affect development across the city; no final vote or rate amounts were recorded in the transcript.

What’s next: the council’s Nov. 24 agenda includes the mid-biennial budget update, debate on the commercial parking tax and additional items involving potential rate increases and a utility tax increase. The transcript does not provide vote tallies, mover/second details or specific dollar amounts for the actions described.