Spokane Conservation District outlines programs, proposes $5 parcel-rate increase; public hearing set for June 16

Vicki Carter, director of the Spokane Conservation District, told the Spokane Valley City Council on May 19 that the district relies primarily on competitive grants and a small local per-parcel assessment to fund on-the-ground conservation and education programs.

Carter summarized the district’s work—tree sales, Firewise wildfire assessments, Hangman Creek restoration, the Scale House market and workforce-development apprenticeships—and described the district’s funding mix: "Over 75% of our budget comes from grants," she said, adding that about 15% comes from a local rates-and-charges assessment currently billed at $10 per parcel. Carter said the legislature authorized a maximum of $25 per parcel but the district is proposing $15 and will take public comment at a June 16 hearing at 2 p.m. She noted, "That $5 increase equates to about 42¢ a month."

Council members asked how the additional $5 would be targeted. Carter said the district has not finalized a line-item budget for that increase but that typical priorities include home-hardening cost-share for wildfire mitigation, continuing work on Hangman Creek, and expanding outreach and education programs. Councilmembers and staff discussed the district’s nonregulatory, voluntary role and the district’s practice of leveraging local matching funds to secure larger state and federal awards.

What happens next: The district will hold a public hearing on June 16 and then make a formal request to county commissioners (the county retains authority over the assessment under state law). Councilmembers and staff encouraged residents to attend the hearing and asked for more detail about specific program allocations should the rate change be adopted.