Commissioners press consultants: who will pay for state-mandated changes?

Multiple commissioners pressed staff and consultants for fiscal analysis of the code and comprehensive-plan changes, asking whether a land-capacity analysis or cost estimates exist for the infrastructure needed to support the state-mandated changes.

One commissioner asked directly whether the consultants considered "the impacts of the changes mandated by the state of Washington on the city of Liberty Lake financially" and whether a sensitivity or yield analysis had been done. Staff replied that the land-capacity analysis had been prepared by another consultant (Lisa did the capacity analysis) and that the present project scope did not include a financial feasibility study. "Not at this time," a staff member said when asked whether economic impact analysis was included.

Commissioners noted that capital facilities planning and feasibility studies are separate processes and that implementation-phase budget decisions would fall to the city manager and council. Several commissioners urged the need for later feasibility work and suggested the city could seek funding if a financial assessment is needed for implementation.