Spokane OKs phased agreement to build city 911 center; transition to PSAP set for 2026—2028

The Spokane City Council approved an interlocal agreement establishing a two-year phased transition as the city creates its own public safety answering point (PSAP). Council statements in the record say the transition will begin in January 2026 with full implementation of the city's PSAP planned for January 2028.

Council members said the agreement preserves uninterrupted 911 service while the city phases in responsibility and funding. A council speaker described the arrangement as setting "clear expectations for how emergency communications and funding will transition" and emphasized coordination, testing and problem solving during the phased rollout. The meeting record identifies the regional partner as "Shrek" (as transcribed); the transcript thanks the board chair, Cody Burbach, by name for leadership.

Council members including Cathcart, Dylan and Kelsoff praised the collaboration and said regional coordination is pivotal for public-safety continuity. "It's pivotal for not just the city's public safety, but honestly, the region's public safety," one council member said.

The PSAP interlocal was approved as part of the consent agenda; the consent vote that included this agreement was recorded as unanimous (7-0).

Council members also noted that mental-health components and holistic regional approaches informed the negotiations but provided no detailed funding breakdown or operational staffing plan in the meeting record. The council adjourned after the unanimous consent vote.