Capital facilities plan fails on tie amid library controversy; council may reconvene

The City of Liberty Lake’s proposed 2026–2031 Capital Facilities Plan (Ordinance 3-14) failed during its second reading on Dec. 8 after divided council debate over whether the plan should retain a $10 million project tied to a proposed library. Mayor Pro Tem Cargill and others voiced opposition to including an expensive, controversial project that citizens had flagged in an advisory vote. The ordinance did not pass.

Council members debated whether the advisory vote represented broad public sentiment. One council member cited turnout from the advisory election (about 43.44% turnout and 4,311 returned ballots from 9,924 mailed) and argued a vocal online minority should not be equated with the entire electorate. Another council member countered that giving the electorate the option to vote in the advisory election meant citizens had spoken.

After the recorded roll-call, the mayor declined to break the tie on the ordinance — the council noted that by law the mayor does not break ties on ordinances — and staff described options: draft a new ordinance number or reconsider the existing ordinance. City staff (Lisa) advised the council on timing, noting the capital facilities plan links to the budget and suggested bringing the item back to the council on Dec. 16 if votes were not available that night.

What’s next: The council left the capital facilities plan unresolved and will re-evaluate scheduling and wording before the next meeting; staff signaled the plan must ultimately align with the 2026 budget timeline.

Vote: The ordinance failed (tie); staff advised options for reconsideration or replacement prior to budget finalization.