Spokane Valley council approves automated speed cameras, reserves $2 million for ice facility and advances major road, public‑safety and planning items

The Spokane Valley City Council on Dec. 16 voted through a package of public‑safety, budget and planning actions that included creating an automated traffic‑safety camera program, allocating lodging‑tax funds tied to a proposed Innovia ice facility, and advancing a redesigned interchange for Sullivan Road and SR‑290.

The meeting, held in regular session, featured extended public comment on the automated camera ordinance and the lodging‑tax decisions. Council approved Ordinance 25‑018 to adopt chapter 9.6 of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code establishing a city automated traffic‑safety camera program focused on school zones and authorized adding one full‑time equivalent position to the 2026 budget to administer the effort. Staff said the city would issue a request for proposals, ask vendors to provide traffic studies for candidate locations and aim to have equipment installed before the next school year.

Gloria Mance, city staff, told council the cameras are meant to “relieve some of the stress on the police force” and to reduce speeds in school zones. Supporters in public comment framed the program as a child‑safety measure: Enrique Rojas said drivers were doing “40, 45 down the hill when the lights are flashing” at nearby schools and urged the council to act to protect students.

Opponents warned of privacy and records concerns. Council member Padden and Council member Wick both said they worried about photographs and other data becoming public records and noted recent legal developments around surveillance systems. Ben Lund, a resident who said he received a camera citation elsewhere, said the ticket he paid was $300 and urged council to review revenue assumptions and enforcement settings, noting that he still slows down in camera zones but questioned whether the fines were set at the right level.

After more…