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Liberty Lake reviews Spokane County hazard mitigation update and priorities for local preparedness
Summary
Councilors were briefed on the countywide hazard mitigation plan (Liberty Lake chapter) and the city’s prioritized mitigation initiatives, including fire‑resilient landscaping, canopy management and hazardous tree removal; staff said the county is expected to adopt the plan within about 90 days.
City staff walked the council through the Spokane County hazard mitigation plan and Liberty Lake’s annex, explaining the risk‑ranking process and how public engagement shaped priorities.
Staff said the plan (county volume plus local annex) updates the 2020 plan and is intended to keep the city eligible for federal mitigation funding under the Disaster Mitigation Act. High‑priority initiatives highlighted include fire‑resilient landscaping, tree canopy management, removal of hazardous trees and developing a continuity of operations plan and a comprehensive emergency management plan for Liberty Lake, both of which staff said have not yet started.
Council members asked about possible costs and timing. One council member noted the city already budgets for some work as part of the capital facilities plan and that the city’s restricted reserve (about $1.7 million) could be a source for emergency follow‑up if required. Staff said certain initiatives are already underway in coordination with the city’s comprehensive plan update and that the county commission is expected to adopt the updated plan in the coming 90 days.
Next steps: staff will coordinate implementation of high‑priority mitigation initiatives, pursue eligible grants tied to the plan, and return with specific budget requests where outside funding is not available.
