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Spokane council approves mid‑biennial budget changes, CDBG plan and neighborhood TIF grants
Summary
The Spokane City Council on May approved a package of budget amendments and program authorizations, including a Department of Commerce grant acceptance, nine new parks positions, an interdepartmental green space maintenance agreement, and a $4.48 million CDBG/HOME/ESG action plan; all recorded votes were 7-0.
The Spokane City Council approved several budget and program measures during its legislative session, including ordinances and resolutions to accept state grant funds, add parks staff, and allocate federal housing and homelessness dollars.
Clerk Miss Pfister presented a special budget ordinance (C-36-868) to accept funds from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Connecting Housing to Infrastructure program; the council adopted the ordinance by recorded vote, 7-0. The council also approved ordinance C-36-869 to authorize nine additional Parks and Recreation positions, and ordinance C-36-870 to implement an interdepartmental green area maintenance agreement, each adopted 7-0.
Council members then approved a series of resolutions, including Resolution 2026-28 (approving an existing sidewalk maintenance and minor repairs public rule) and Resolution 2026-29 (activation of public spaces rule). The council endorsed Resolution 2026-30 authorizing contracts for housing and homeless services funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Council commentary on 2026-30 referenced an outstanding ADA bathroom need in East Central but members said they would not delay contracts for nonprofits while staff pursues additional grant funding.
Clerk Miss Pfister presented Resolution 2026-31, the city’s 2026 annual action plan for CDBG, HOME and ESG federal grants, showing total funds of $4,475,304.60. Public commenter Desiree urged the council to prioritize affordable housing and emphasized that many people experiencing homelessness have disabilities. The council approved the annual action plan 7-0.
The council also authorized neighborhood-project investments from the West Quadrant Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District: Resolution 2026-32 funds Bridal Foods and Broadway Laundromat, and Resolution 2026-33 funds Habitat for Humanity Spokane’s planned acquisitions and rehabilitations to preserve permanently affordable homes. Michelle Gerardo, CEO of the Habitat affiliate, thanked the council and described plans to acquire and rehabilitate homes for long-term affordable ownership; council members cited neighborhood support in backing the measure. All resolutions and ordinances recorded in the meeting minutes passed by a 7-0 vote.
A first-reading ordinance (C-36-867) to consolidate two interim zoning ordinances related to planned unit developments was read on first reading and deferred for further action.
The council concluded the legislative agenda and moved into open forum.
Votes at a glance • Ordinance C-36-868 — Accept Department of Commerce Connecting Housing to Infrastructure grant; adopted 7-0. • Ordinance C-36-869 — Authorize nine Parks and Recreation positions; adopted 7-0. • Ordinance C-36-870 — Interdepartmental green area maintenance agreement; adopted 7-0. • Resolution 2026-28 — Sidewalk maintenance and minor repairs rule; approved 7-0. • Resolution 2026-29 — Activation of public spaces rule; approved 7-0. • Resolution 2026-30 — Contracts for housing and homeless services (CDBG); approved 7-0. • Resolution 2026-31 — 2026 annual action plan for CDBG/HOME/ESG ($4,475,304.60); approved 7-0. • Resolution 2026-32 — West Quadrant TIF neighborhood projects (Bridal Foods, Broadway Laundromat); approved 7-0. • Resolution 2026-33 — West Quadrant TIF funding for Habitat for Humanity projects; approved 7-0.
The council’s approvals authorize staff to execute contracts and take administrative steps listed in the respective resolutions; motion movers and seconders were not specified in the public transcript.
