2026.11.12 Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee Meeting
The advisory committee heard updates on wildfire recovery, public feedback on the CDBG-DR action plan and upcoming funding processes. Public commenters raised concerns about equitable survivor assistance, program information and access to case management.
Discussion Points
•Commenters supported survivor participation in an advisory group and requested timelines for debris and reimbursement guidance.
•Cooper described the rationale for the proposed Silver Lake-area water and sewer project and the need for evacuation and fire-safety improvements.
•Public commenters questioned the geographic and income distribution of recovery assistance, availability of case managers and clarity of program rules.
•Public commenters requested that survivor recovery precede infrastructure spending and asked for expanded assistance, clearer rules and greater transparency.
•Staff described the application cycle, scoring matrices and technical assistance.
•The chair said staff would consider and respond to comments, but how they would affect the plan was undecided.
•The joint RFP process, estimated funding, scoring pools and proposed review committee were presented.
Decisions
•No funding allocation or program-rule change was made during these public comments.
•The Board of County Commissioners, rather than the advisory committee in this discussion, was identified as the body that would determine final fund allocations.
Directions
•Staff planned a minor amendment incorporating comments, with revisions and a summary to be posted online.
•Staff planned to seek advisory committee representatives for a homeless-services subcommittee and return recommendations to the full advisory committee.
Board of County Commissioners meeting with public comment on data centers and a public hearing and unanimous approval to expand a recycling minimum service area; executive session scheduled under RCW 42.30.110(1)(g).
Discussion Points
•Concerns that utility/developer commitments are not legally enforceable and that residents could incur financial/environmental risks
•Motion to approve consent items 3–7; no substantive discussion recorded.
•Staff clarified county cannot provide garbage hauling and that the City of Spokane owns the waste-to-energy plant
•Staff described expansion rationale, route adjacency and resident petition (65 parcels/40 homes)
•Sunshine Disposal said the expansion can be accommodated without extra trucks
•Whether Avista’s pause on project-specific engineering eliminates future project approvals; Avista allows new applicants and retains existing projects in queue
•Whether developers must disclose full build-out energy and water demands before local approvals
Decisions
•Board accepted staff recommendation to amend recycling service level; motion passed unanimously.
•Consent items 3–7 approved by unanimous voice vote.
Directions
•Fold the neighborhood into the existing route and proceed with April 1, 2027 implementation steps and cart distribution
Spokane County commissioners held a board briefing on Nov. 10, 2026, covering a Broadlink BEAD wireless project, a Sheriff's Office MOU for an evidence phlebotomy program, traffic-code and right-of-way acquisition items (including an Idaho property settlement), transfer-station capacity planning, proposed sewer-rate increases, grant and court staffing requests, recreation fee changes and other routine business.
Discussion Points
•A typical household bill would rise by $0.96 per month; staff will present the increase for final adoption in December.
•Broadlink has completed NEPA for two project areas and will fund engineering, permitting and fiber connections to county IT.
•Broadlink will use county vertical assets (jail mount, towers, water towers) and partner ISPs to extend BEAD-funded service.
•Commissioners requested legal review and technical coordination before placing an interlocal agreement on a future agenda.
•Commissioners suggested clarifying whether the budget allocation would cover a portion of 2027 and including court workload data to support the legislative request.
•County lacks condemnation authority in Idaho; staff must coordinate with Idaho jurisdictions and consider outside counsel if needed.
•Initial proposal due Nov. 20; final application due in early December; prosecutor will convene judges and court staff to develop the application.
•Moderate increases for private facility rentals (approx. 7%) and clarified swim-lesson refund policy.
•New fees: $60 minimum excessive-cleaning fee, $15 RV dump fee for non-registered campers, and 10% per-day food-truck vendor permit.
•North Transfer Station has half the tipping-floor area but takes almost the same tonnage as Valley Transfer Station, causing stacking and inefficiencies.
•Proposed 1.9% increase in sewer service fees to cover CPI and growth.
•Prosecutor described the DOJ Justice Reinvestment grant (36 months, up to $4 million) and suggested project areas including data integration and jail medical cost mitigation.
•Reorganized aquatic fees and three open-swim rental packages.
•Single pit complicates switching between organics and trash requiring floor closures and longer unload times.
•Spokane County requested support for adding a 14th superior court judge and included budget language allocating funds for salary, benefits and operational support.
•Staff proposed seeking an opinion of probable cost to analyze expansion options and funding sources.
•The MOU will provide licensed medical oversight, 24-hour on-call consultation and training for deputies collecting blood evidence.
•The program would supply certified phlebotomists and restore capabilities previously overseen through a city arrangement that ended due to labor issues.
Decisions
•No formal vote in briefing; staff instructed to proceed with settlement paperwork for consent agenda.
•No formal vote recorded; item advanced for further staff work and future agenda placement.
Directions
•Authorize staff support and review by county staff to assemble the application and determine any necessary local match or commitments.
•Bring full fee schedule (Exhibit A) and recommended adoption language to the Dec. 1 legislative meeting.
•County IT to evaluate technical requirements for fiber termination and any operational agreements.
•County staff to work with Broadlink and legal counsel to finalize interlocal agreement and fiber connection terms.
•Place administrative settlement on consent agenda for formal approval and obtain legal guidance regarding Idaho acquisition procedures.
•Prepare an opinion of probable cost and return with funding options (grants, tipping fee adjustments) and implementation plan.
•Schedule the rate change for formal consideration at the December legislative meeting; prepare notices and supporting documentation.
•Staff to refine the letter, consider removing a dollar figure or clarifying partial-year budgeting, and add workload data for legislative outreach.
•Staff to return the MOU with legal review and administration details for final board consideration.
Cheney City Council agenda for November 10, 2026, includes the city'9s proposed 2027 budget and related levies, proposed utility and fee rate changes, an ordinance on large single electric loads, and a lodging-tax funding recommendation for the Holiday Hoopla event.
Discussion Points
•Advisory Committee is recommending full funding for Holiday Hoopla lodging-tax application.
•Application and draft 2026 tourism-promotion agreement are attached for council review.
•Draft ordinance 2-13 is attached to adopt the 2027 budget.
•Draft ordinance defines large single electric load as requests for "electric loads exceeding 1 megawatt".
•Draft ordinance would approve the general property tax levy, the voter-approved levy lift, and the voter-approved general obligation levy for 2027.
•First regular billing using the new rates is scheduled for Jan. 31, 2027.
•Ordinance seeks approval of EMS property-tax levy for 2027 (described as year 3 of 6).
•Packet includes a 2027 fee schedule with updated Parks and Recreation fees and rentals.
•Packet includes draft utility rate schedules for electric, water, solid waste and sewer.
•Proposal would require requester to fund engineering, construction and system upgrades associated with new large loads.
•Recommended action is adoption of the fee schedule via resolution.
•Staff presentations for Light and Public Works provided in support of the 2027 budget public hearing.
•Supporting levy calculations and draft ordinance are attached to the packet.
•Supporting levy calculations are attached in the packet.
County staff presented an overview of the mental-health sales tax fund and several budget and program proposals for 2027, followed by detailed briefings and debate about two resolutions to amend county indigent-defense code (1.17A) and consolidate Counsel for Defense into the Public Defender's Office; commissioners discussed detention budgeting and a plan to close the Geiger facility.
Discussion Points
•Consolidation aims to reinvest existing budgets, reduce private-counsel overflow, and centralize recruitment/oversight.
•Lease extension to 2/28/28; phased drawdown; asbestos testing and abatement; 58 dorm beds added mid-2027.
•Projected 2027 revenue $17.8M; reserve set at $7M; program requests $1.2\u0002$1.4M; capital asks up to $8M across two pools.
•Proposed clerical and substantive code changes to protect ethical declination while documenting supervisory findings.
Spokane County staff updated the county commissioners on two pending federal BUILD/NHFP grant applications—the Craig Road interchange project (phase one) and the Argonne Road Freight and Safety Project—reviewing costs, match requirements, scheduling and related federal coordination; the board also discussed a request to use a county facility for a memorial and scheduled executive sessions.
Discussion Points
•Announcement of Bud Morrison's death and a request to use the Doris Morrison facility for a memorial service.
•Argonne Road identified as county's only T1 freight corridor with poor pavement condition and high crash rates.
•Board discussed an earmark for the Centennial Trail and uncertainty about federal appropriations timing.
•Board members raised capacity concerns and general support for allowing use if logistics permit.
•Board reviewed items to be discussed in executive session including candidate interviews and potential litigation.
•Chair set the session time and clarified no decisions will be made in executive session.
•Clarification that the $25 million funding limit is per project.
•Commissioners asked for stronger documentation of jobs, community benefits, fire response and Fairchild AFB support.
•Design, right-of-way and construction costs estimated; county needs match funding and right-of-way.
•Grant window timing and the need to satisfy NEPA/ARR conditions before certain agency submissions.
•Staff explained the delay and resubmission process with WSDOT and described phase-one design and costs.
•Staff said earmark clearance through Senator Murray improves prospects but federal appropriations and state routing are required before money is distributed.
Directions
•Advance design to 30% and pursue federal grant opportunities; secure right-of-way and match funding.
•Enter executive sessions as scheduled; reconvene the next morning at 9 a.m.
•No final decision at meeting.
•Prepare BUILD/competitive grant submission ahead of the end-of-February application deadline.
•Return to the board after the first of the year with updates.
•Staff to check facility capacity and report back to the board.
•Staff to pursue conditional ARR/NEPA approvals and prepare applications before the end-of-February window.
•Staff will beef up project sections in the application to include jobs, overburdened communities and fire-response details.
•Staff will monitor federal appropriations and update the board when funds are formally awarded.
November 09, 2026, Regular Civil Service Commission Meeting Agenda
The Civil Service Commission is scheduled to meet Nov. 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in City Council Chambers to consider certification of a Police Sergeant eligibility list, review draft Civil Service rules, and receive an update on negotiations with the Police Guild.
Discussion Points
•Agenda lists an update on negotiations with Police Guild; no substantive bargaining detail included in excerpt.
•Agenda lists certification of Police Sergeant eligibility list; no supporting text in the excerpt provided.
•Draft rules attached; agenda excerpt does not state whether item is for first reading, adoption, or referral.
Cheney City Council - Regular Meeting - October 27, 2026
Cheney City Council heard presentations and opened public hearings on the proposed 2027 property-tax levies and governmental revenues, reviewed department budget requests that include new staff and capital asks, approved several resolutions and labor agreements, and heard citizen comments about stormwater and mayoral signature authority.
Discussion Points
•Council members asked whether guarantee language should be mandatory and how council oversight would work.
•Council noted minor typographical errors in draft agreements that staff agreed to address before final execution.
•Draft shows $50.5M expenditures vs $46.1M revenues across funds — a gap staff said can be covered short-term by reserves but is not sustainable.
•F-526 implements scheduled rate increases for 2027 and 2028 and extends the contract to 2031.
•If levy-lift renewal fails, staff said the city would need to cut services or find new revenues; reserves could cover shortfalls short-term.
•Levy lift is in its final year and will require placement on a ballot (August or November) in 2027 to continue.
•Ordinance aims to protect residential rates if a very large customer would push the utility into a higher wholesale tier.
•Repeated public-works calls reported by residents; materials staging and timing of promised repairs discussed.
•Resident requested council not to expand mayoral signature authority without safeguards and called attention to a prior camera contract cost.
•Specific decision packages: three new FTEs (HR generalist, grant writer, IT manager); parks utility-tax increase to 6% contingent on voter approval; continued requests for two patrol officers and fire apparatus.
Decisions
•Approved F-526, F-527 and labor agreements.
Directions
•Approve resolutions and direct staff to correct typographical issues in contract language before signature.
•Bring detailed budgeting items to the budget workshop next week for department-level review.
•Council acknowledged public-records concerns and signaled staff follow-up.
•Place ordinances on first reading; return for further action and certification by Nov. 30.
•Staff to follow up with Harvest Bluff HOA about the ditch and report back after the council committee meeting.
•Staff to revise ordinance to clarify guarantees (change 'may' to 'shall' where appropriate) and correct numbering; return for subsequent reading.
Cheney City Council & Planning Commission - Special Joint Meeting - October 28, 2026
City Council meeting to review and edit comprehensive plan policies and appendix language; councilors debated whether to treat several items as goals or policies, refined wording (notably removing or replacing 'redevelopment'), and directed staff and consultants to revise language and reconcile missing appendix items.
Discussion Points
•Add SR-904 corridor study (PR2) to appendix as program entry
•Alternatives: 'revitalize', keep 'infill', or rephrase to avoid loaded terminology
•Clarify freight access policy to accommodate needed freight movement
•Options: broaden to 'commercial growth' or target specific institutional uses
•Options to implement supporting measures via zoning or incentives rather than directive staff action
•Prefer development near transit stops rather than explicitly inflating density language
•Use of existing code mechanisms (latecomer agreements, LIDs) for exceptions
•Whether office-space language fits downtown's market
•Whether Policy 28 is implementable by staff or better framed as a goal
•Whether policy should state developers bear costs or allow for exceptions
•Whether 'redevelopment' implies displacement and will trigger opposition
Decisions
•Direction to staff to revise policy language
•Informal consensus to accept direction and add corridor program
•Informal consensus to avoid the term 'redevelopment' without specific context
•Informal consensus to move Policy 28 to Goal 5 (no formal recorded vote)
•Informal consensus to retain clear developer-pays language
Directions
•Staff and consultant to reword Policy 28 and place under Goal 5
•Staff to coordinate with WASDOT
•Staff to redraft Policy 56 with concise directive language and cross-reference code mechanisms
•Staff to revise T4/T6 wording to encourage development around transit stops and to add PR2 description for SR-904
•Staff to reword infill/redevelopment language and present options
•Staff to reword Policy 23 to better reflect downtown market
Cheney City Council - Special Council Rules Workshop - October 19, 2026
Workshop of the Cheney City Council to review a draft 36–42 page rules-of-procedure document. Council debated scope (orientation vs. enforceable rules), attendance/special-meeting thresholds, social media and conflict-of-interest language, use of a consent agenda, proclamations, and procedural items; an executive session was added and held on personnel under RCW.
Discussion Points
•Counsel requested brief extension of the executive session.
•How to structure the document (trim vs. full reference).
•Interim remedies (abstention) and consultation with city attorney.
•Liability and consistency concerns cited during AWC trainings.
•Logistics for separate Zoom/server and timing for in-person movement.
•Mechanism for pulling items from consent for discussion.
•Motion to add executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(g).
•Next steps: committee review, possible November workshop, finish by year-end.
•Pilot limited consent agenda covering first four bullets in initial rules.
•Whether a consent agenda will save time versus reducing transparency.
•Whether a named individual appearing on Department of Revenue records constitutes a conflict under the proposed ethics language.
•Whether social-media rules should live in council rules or a separate staff-administered policy.
•Whether the draft duplicates state RCWs or offers useful orientation for new members.
•Whether the rules should list consequences or defer to RCW enforcement.
Decisions
•Agenda amended to add executive session; executive session held for personnel review.
•Aim to complete the rules by end of year if a consensus draft emerges.
•Do not duplicate social-media policy in the initial rules; amend draft to reference standalone policy.
•Initial rules to include a pilot consent agenda limited to the first four bullets; revisit later.
•No formal recusal recorded at this meeting; council agreed to seek clarification and rely on RCW enforcement when applicable.
Directions
•Adopt limited consent agenda for initial rules; allow any council member to pull items for discussion.
•City attorney to be consulted for guidance on the specific UBI/property matter; councilors advised to abstain on decisions directly related to the parcel if a conflict exists.
•Collect feedback tonight, committee to meet and update document, potential additional workshop in November.
•Council recess to hold the executive session; counsel and capital council to manage timing.
•Reference the upcoming social-media policy in the council rules; staff to present final social-media policy when ready.
The Historic Preservation Commission is scheduled to meet on November 5, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in a hybrid format to consider a special valuation application for the Cheney Depot at 15 Union St., along with routine reports and commissioner business.
Discussion Points
•Agenda lists a special valuation application for Cheney Depot but provides no staff analysis or recommended action.
November 04, 2026, Special Council Meeting - Budget Workshop
The Cheney City Council was scheduled to hold a special meeting Nov. 4, 2026, at 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers to conduct a 2027 budget workshop. The agenda listed virtual participation options and a single substantive item: a discussion of the 2027 budget.
Discussion Points
•Council scheduled a 2027 budget workshop described as "Discussion regarding 2027 Budget".
Spokane County officials continued public budget roundtables, presenting an estimated $955 million 2027 budget, reviewing fund-by-fund projections, debt capacity and proposed property-tax-related levies; the board will set levy amounts Nov. 16 and adopt the budget Dec. 7. Public commenters raised concerns about data centers, aquifer protection and budget priorities.
Discussion Points
•directions
•Public commenters asked for independent baseline groundwater studies and a county financial impact analysis for large-load data centers.
•Randy explained levy calculation and distribution of property tax revenue among schools and county funds.
•Randy explained the three potential levies, estimated taxpayer impacts and maximum caps.
•Resident urged county to consider service impacts when making levy and budget choices.
•Staff outlined debt capacity and current outstanding obligations.
•Staff presented fund-by-fund estimates for 2027 including General Fund, special revenue, enterprise and construction funds.
Directions
•Board to set levy amounts at Nov. 16 meeting.
•Commissioners to consider setting these levy amounts Nov. 16.
Spokane County commissioners met Nov. 3, 2026 for a consent-agenda legislative meeting and the third public budget roundtable. Public commenters pressed the board on proposed data-center groundwater and transparency concerns and on treatment of local animal rescues; staff presented a near-final 2027 budget and property-tax options ahead of Nov. 16 levy decisions and a Dec. 7 budget adoption.
Discussion Points
•Commissioners thanked veterans and staff and encouraged public participation in Operation Greenlight.
•Commissioners will set amounts on Nov. 16 and adopt the budget Dec. 7.
•Consent agenda approved without discussion.
•Explained levy calculation, household impact examples, and three new levy options.
•Overview of fund totals, revenue and expenditure estimates, and capital projects.
•Proclamation read and passed unanimously.
•Residents asked for enforceable baseline groundwater studies and independent technical review.
•Speakers requested a rescue designation distinct from commercial kennel licensing.
•Speakers requested public disclosure of full build‑out electricity and water demands.
•Staff emphasized that the budget is not final until adoption on Dec. 7.
•Volunteers described capacity constraints and loss of volunteer staff at shelters.
Spokane County commissioners met Nov. 3, 2026, to review the Spokane Airport 2027 budget and capital plan, finalize a county legislative agenda for the 2027 session, consider transportation and capital requests, review a proposed countywide software replacement for property-tax systems, set a public hearing on Newman Lake Flood Control assessments, and hear updates on an animal-rescue licensing dispute.
Discussion Points
•Airport presented 2027 operating and capital budgets; staff emphasized FAA grant assurances and user‑funding requirements.
•Animal‑control and planning staff are drafting Title 5 amendments to create a rescue‑kennel licensing option with potential fee waivers while preserving land‑use review.
•Commissioners expressed concern about messaging to legislature if corridor appears duplicative of existing North–South Corridor funding.
•Commissioners requested monthly reporting on revenue impacts of the city parking tax and asked that the airport budget be placed on next week’s consent agenda.
•First‑two‑year implementation cost negotiated down from prior estimate; ongoing annual support will be higher than current spend.
•Glen Rose described as Southeast connector; staff to provide branding and phasing.
•Legacy system (ProVal/Ascend) is end‑of‑life and poses security and operational risks.
•Multiple complaints and citations documented at the Rescue For All property; lack of kennel licensing due to zoning/conditional‑use permitting issues.
•Public defense funding target of $15M/year affirmed as priority.
•Staff to investigate whether CCA dollars or other state funds could offset local mandates such as clean‑buildings compliance.
•Transportation Glen Rose ask to be word‑smith and clarified to avoid duplication with existing corridor funding.
•Vendor work is projected to replace most ancillary systems and move hosting to cloud.
Decisions
•Board accepted staff request to place the budget on next week's legislative consent agenda (staff requested; formal placement to occur via consent agenda process).
•Board agreed to advance the procurement for placement on next week's consent agenda (staff request).
•Board authorized staff to continue developing the Glen Rose messaging and potential $24M ask for legislative outreach.
•Board directed staff to continue enforcement consistent with code and to bring draft code language and proposed public guidance to counsel for review.
•Board directed staff to revise the draft agenda with changes discussed and bring it back for finalization.
Directions
•Place airport 2027 budget on next week's legislative consent agenda if final edits are made.
•Provide regular project updates to the board during implementation.
•Refine legislative language and prioritize items for meetings with legislators and the governor’s office.
•Staff to check and update public guidance (website, signage, social media) and return with monthly parking‑tax revenue figures.
•Staff to finalize Title 5 draft revisions and route to county counsel for review; legal to review any proposed public statement before release.
•Staff to place contract on next week’s consent agenda and provide a more detailed implementation timeline and risk register.
•Staff to refine the project's description and cost‑phasing and return with a recommended funding ask (full vs. phased).
•Staff to research CCA allocations and report back.
The Lodging Tax meeting was scheduled Nov. 3, 2026, to consider an application review for the Holiday Hoopla event and a fund-balance report; the agenda also included approval of Sept. 1, 2026 minutes and virtual participation instructions.
Discussion Points
•A fund-balance review was listed as an informational item with no dollar amounts shown on the agenda line.
•Agenda opened with virtual participation instructions allowing in-person or remote attendance.
•An application review for "Holiday Hoopla" was listed as an action item; no cost or staff recommendation was provided on the agenda line.
•Approval of Sept. 1, 2026 minutes was listed as a formal approval item.
Budget staff and county commissioners discussed proposed adjustments to department budgets, including district court reductions, juvenile services funding shifts, sheriff staffing and unfunded positions, IT and planning requests, contingency for fires and legal costs, and whether to consolidate counsel for defense with public defenders. An executive session on pending litigation was scheduled at the end of the briefing.
Discussion Points
•$119,000 requested for a Lumify cybersecurity operations center subscription.
•Adjusted sheriff request: $11,282,358 after corrections.
•Capacity constraints cause many contracted cases; legal conflicts may still require separate counsel.
•District court submitted budget $389,000 over target; staff reduced it to target.
•HCA could fund nurse manager through mid‑2028.
•If HCA funding ends the position returns to general fund and needs a future discussion.
•One vacant pretrial officer is grant funded (MacArthur project).
•Pretrial ask: $96,836 to stay fully funded.
•Remaining ~$80,000 gap could come from vacancies or future amendment.
•Sheriff prefers to keep ~10 unfunded positions for operational flexibility and civil-service hiring pipeline.
•Some costs offset by mental-health sales tax.
•Sysadmin position request: general fund pays ~63% (~$72,000).
•Whether to merge counsel for defense with public defenders or outsource to private bar.
Directions
•Invite sheriff leadership to present next week with corrected numbers and plan to manage a $1M reduction if needed.
•Monitor district court spend rate and invite court leadership back for detailed presentation if commissioners request.
•Restore cybersecurity funding and include itemized costs in shared folder for review.
•Staff to double-check grant funding status and spend rates.
•Staff to provide data on conflict rates, case durations and cost per case and return for further discussion.
•Track HCA funding and vacancy savings; return with options if needed.
Board briefing on Nov. 2, 2026 covered parks capital requests (waterslide resurfacing, Holmberg pool demo), a $251,000 vehicle/equipment replacement request, REIT fund balances and CIP priorities, courtroom and detention budgets including planning for Geiger closure, and a scheduled executive session on complex-fire after-action review.
Discussion Points
•Chase recommended immediate waterslide resurfacing and demolition of Holmberg pool as a nuisance abatement.
•Concerns about funding vacant positions versus funding contingent judge appointment.
•Detention services presented a $7.4M estimate to sustain operations with Geiger open.
•Need for a wind-down timeline and an attrition/reassignment plan to avoid abrupt layoffs.
•Parks staff presented a short, prioritized capital list focused on safety and maintenance.
•REIT 1 & 2 balances, legislative changes allowing expanded use, and projected new annual capacity of ~$2.4M after debt service.
•Request of $251,000 to replace five prioritized pieces of equipment.
•Staff recommended conservative use of REIT and possible use of general fund for one-time projects this year.
•Staff recommended one-time general fund funding this year; commissioners discussed using REIT for capital in future years.
•Whether to fund Superior Court’s operating requests directly or hold funds centrally to cover a potential 14th judge.
Decisions
•Tentative agreement by multiple commissioners to hold $225,000 in non-departmental contingency for possible midyear judicial appointment.
Directions
•Staff to place contingency funds in non-departmental accounts and return with precise budget language.
•Staff to prepare timeline and detailed cost projections (mid-November) and present them before budget adoption.
•Staff to return with cost breakdowns, scheduling details, and potential reuse options for Holmberg site.
•Staff to return with mileage and maintenance cost data for high‑use vehicles to inform future decisions.
•Staff to update REIT estimates after October collections and publish a decision matrix later in the week.
2026.10 October Spokane County Spotlight | State of the County
Greater Spokane Incorporated hosted the 2026 State of the County, featuring remarks from Spokane County Chair Mary Brooks (her final State of the County), Sheriff John Knowles on public safety trends and budget pressures, and presentations on behavioral-health investments, economic development, and nonprofit resilience.
Discussion Points
•Crime rates: robberies down 43%, assaults down 14%, burglaries down 16%; vehicle thefts up 52%
•Facility appraisal and funding; county ARP contribution; regional service reach.
•Mercer Mass Timber expansion support; Broadlink broadband investments; airport Concourse C expansion and passenger forecasts; new-construction totals and job growth.
•Metaphor of doors and keys; Canopy's role in financial inclusion.
•PATH crisis center funding and scope; STARS outreach numbers; HOPE school-based supports; co-responder model; task-force recommendations.
•Resilience framing; wildfire recovery; investments in behavioral health, training, broadband, parks and airport expansion
Directions
•Board will consider timing for putting a measure to voters to support task-force recommendations
•County will continue to expand programs and consider voter measures when appropriate
•Groundbreaking scheduled next week (per remarks).
•Public asked to support difficult budget decisions; no formal directive recorded at event
Monthly update from a Spokane County commissioner covering an election reminder, an extended pause on data center development through June 1, 2027, details on a roughly $23 million budget shortfall and possible layoffs, opposition by some commissioners to a proposed 0.1% sales tax, and recent community engagement.
Discussion Points
•County Planning Department published responses to public comments and new policy considerations.
•Election reminder and ballot drop-box guidance.
•Extension intended to allow time to develop land-use regulations before permitting new data centers.
•Past cuts included eliminating 91 full-time positions and delaying capital projects.
•Projected $23,000,000 budget shortfall for next year.
•Speaker's recent election to a national board and community outreach activities.
Decisions
•Board unanimously extended pause on new data center development through 06/01/2027.
•The speaker reported joining two colleagues in voting to oppose the proposed 0.1% sales tax.
Directions
•Continue cost reductions and efficiency improvements during the 2027 budget process.
•Staff to continue gathering input and study regulatory options.
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