The Liberty Lake City Council approved Ordinance 3-15 on Dec. 16, adopting the city’s 2026–2031 capital facilities plan after intense debate over whether to keep a proposed new library in the plan. Council members voted 4–3 to adopt the version brought by staff that omits the library project.

Why it matters: The capital facilities plan is the city’s blueprint for major projects and helps set expectations for future funding and timing. Whether the library appears as an identified or unfunded project affects transparency for residents and how the item will be prioritized by future councils.

Staff presented Ordinance 3-15 as a revised submission after the earlier Ordinance 3-14 did not pass. City staff said the revised draft was intended to meet statutory timing and to remove the library because the issue had not reached consensus. As City Administrator Mark noted in the meeting, staff brought a version that could be finalized before the end of the year so the city would have a current plan in place.

Council members debated procedure and substance. Council Member McKeownie urged historical context, saying earlier policies (he cited a 2019 policy) had allowed council review of library appeals but a 2022 change, he argued, removed council oversight and contributed to broader concerns about who makes final decisions on library matters. Council Member Kurtz objected to staff presenting a version that excluded an item the council had previously voted to retain, calling the change “an issue” because the council had twice discussed related motions. Other members, including Council Member Seavers and Council Member Spencer, said the library project’s scope and cost remain uncertain and recommended further work before committing it in the plan.

An amendment that would have placed the library back on the potential future (unfunded) projects list failed on a 3–4 vote. Council members who opposed the amendment said adding the library as an unfunded item still implies a commitment without sufficient detail; supporters said listing it would simply signal it as a possible future priority without obligating funds.

Legal and procedural notes: Staff and the city attorney explained that 3-15 is a new ordinance distinct from the failed 3-14; bringing a new ordinance with a revised attachment (the plan) is an allowable approach if the council wants to adopt a different document before year-end. The city attorney confirmed the council remains free to amend the plan, but cautioned that the timing and process must follow municipal rules for readings and votes.

What passed: The council approved Ordinance 3-15 to adopt the capital facilities plan as presented by staff, effective per the ordinance language, on a 4–3 vote.

What’s next: Staff said the council can revisit the library item or other projects at future meetings. Several council members asked staff to ensure that any comments, edits and recorded committee recommendations be captured in the coalesced plan presented to the incoming council early next year.