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Spokane staff propose APA-funded incentives to connect 180 legacy septic homes to city sewer
Summary
City staff told the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board they want to use APA (arterial protection area) voter-approved funds to reimburse part of the general facilities charge for homeowners on legacy septic systems, estimating roughly $3,500 per property and a goal to complete projects by the end of 2028.
Marlene, a city staffer leading the city's septic outreach, told the Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board on May 14 that city staff have identified about 180 properties still on septic and want to use APA funds to make sewer connections more affordable.
"We have about 180 properties that have septic systems that we've identified," Marlene said, and described a package that would reduce the typical connection-related General Facilities Charge from about $8,000 to roughly $3,600 for qualifying homeowners. She said the estimated contractor cost to perform a physical sewer hookup is "about $13,000" and that the city's combined incentive and loan options would aim to lower the out-of-pocket burden for residents.
Marlene said the city cannot waive GFCs outright under state law without a backfill source, so the proposal is to reimburse a portion of those charges from APA funds approved by voters. "We're looking at an incentive in the neighborhood of $3,500 per property," she said, and added the program would include low-interest or forgivable loan options for eligible households. The city's stated goal is to complete projects under the program by the end of 2028.
Board members pressed for more budget detail and asked whether a large take-up could deplete APA funds earmarked for other purposes. Marlene said the county will provide an initial estimate of available APA funds within six to eight weeks and that, based on a first-year revenue estimate of $1.5–1.8 million, a program enrolling 100 properties would cost on the order of $350,000 in one-time reimbursements.
The presentation noted two implementation tools to reduce cost barriers: a city pipe-replacement partnership that offers no-interest loans through SNAP for qualifying incomes, and Craft3 loan programs in Washington.
Board members raised equity and logistics questions, including whether the city should cap the percentage of APA funds used for hookups and how staff would prioritize applicants. Marlene said the program would start with voluntary participation and use "carrots"—incentives and loans—to encourage early compliance; enforcement under city code remains a backstop for properties within 200 feet of a sewer line.
Next steps: staff will return with cost estimates and proposed eligibility criteria. The board did not take a formal vote on the proposal during the May 14 meeting.
