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Spokane council approves local-option commercial parking tax after heated testimony
Summary
After hours of public testimony and council debate, Spokane City Council approved a local-option commercial parking tax intended to fund transportation and discourage surface parking, passing the ordinance 5–2. Business groups and airport representatives warned of economic harm; advocates said the tax will spur infill housing and transit.
Spokane City Council approved a local-option commercial parking tax intended to raise transportation funding and discourage surface parking that fragments downtown, passing the ordinance (c36 8 01) by a 5–2 vote. The measure sets a proposed 6 percent rate for structured parking with an efficient land‑use credit and includes exemptions for employees, students and residential uses to be defined in forthcoming public rules.
Administration official John Snyder, who presented the proposal, told council the tax is permitted by state law and would be used only for transportation purposes, saying parking tax revenue "is only to be used in transportation purposes by state law, and that's what we intend…
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