This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with an invocation, the pledge of allegiance and approval of an amended meeting agenda to allow for Council comments.
General Public Comments
Each week, community members have an opportunity to address Councilmembers for up to three minutes during the General Public Comment period, either at the beginning or end of each meeting, either in person or via Zoom.
ACTION ITEMS
#1 – Consent Agenda
The Council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included vouchers for paying city expenses and payroll, and minutes from the Oct. 28, 2025, Council meeting.
#2 – Second Reading: Proposed Ordinance 25-015, Amending the 2025 Budget
On Oct. 28, 2025, a public hearing and a first reading were held on the proposed 2025 budget amendment and Council approved advancement to a second motion. Staff provided an overview of the budgetary changes, which are making this amendment necessary. The amendment would affect 14 funds, resulting in total revenue decreases of $7,766,114 and expenditure decreases of $17,721,575, the majority of which are the result of certain expenses and revenues of capital improvement projects shifting from 2025 to 2026. The amendment also includes minor position title changes and the addition of a right-of-way agent (approved by Council on Oct. 14, 2025)
A motion to approve Ordinance #25-015 amending Ordinance #25-015, which adopted a budget for the period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2025, as subsequently amended by Ordinance #25-016 passed with 6 votes in favor and 1 opposed.
#3 – Second Reading: Proposed Ordinance 25-017 Adopting the 2026 Budget
This is the eighth time that the Council has discussed the 2026 budget, including three public hearings. The draft 2026 budget currently includes appropriations of $148,412,354, including $74,091,618 in capital expenditures.
The City anticipates receiving $34,130,366 in grant revenues, which will partially offset the $47,091,618 of capital costs. Thus, 71.25% of capital expenditures will be paid with state and federal funds. Budgets will be adopted across 31 separate funds and the funded full-time employee count will remain the same as last year (118.25).
A motion to approve Ordinance #25-017 adopting the 2026 Budget passed with 6 votes in favor and 1 opposed.
NON-ACTION ITEMS
#4 – Proposed Resolution Repealing and Replacing the Master Fee Schedule for 2026
On Oct. 28, 2025, the Council discussed and reached a consensus to increase permit fees in the 2026 Master Fee Schedule, which includes:
- A different permit structure for a variety of permits
- Increases to some planning fees for cost recovery
- Additions of permit fees not currently in the Master Fee Schedule
- Addition of fees for applications requiring additional efforts by city staff
- Assessing a technology fee
- Schedule A plan review fees are collected at the time of application.
Additionally, on Nov. 25, 2025, Council reached consensus on various fees related to the rental and use of The Course Spokane Valley. Staff provided information about the proposed fee development, provided examples of the changes, and spoke about stakeholder outreach efforts. Revenues generated by the proposed fees could result in:
- $4,773,800 or 6.96% of total General Fund recurring revenues of $68,586,300
- $6,170,000 or 97.27% of total Stormwater Management Fund recurring revenues of $6,343,000
The Council reached consensus to place proposed Resolution #25-013, repealing and replacing the Master Fee Schedule, on Dec. 23, 2025, agenda for approval consideration.
#5 – Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) Recommendations
The LTAC held a special meeting on Nov. 20, 2025, to hear presentations supporting the proposals submitted by the City and Innovia Foundation in response to the LTAC request for applications for the proposed Ice Sports Facility. After discussion, the LTAC proposed two motions:
- Recommend funding for Innovia’s Ice Sports Facility request for operational support for five years beginning in 2027. Support would be up to $600,000 annually in 2027 and 2028, then $550,000 annually in 2029, 2030 and 2031. The recommendation is contingent and conditioned upon agreement that no lodging facilities be developed on the site while lodging tax funds are provided to support operations. Also, contingent and conditional upon agreement for Innovia to provide a review in 2031 to the LTAC of further operational support needs of the facility and the tourism generated during the initial period of lodging tax funding. The LTAC passed the motion unanimously.
- Recommend funding the city’s request for capital infrastructure costs related to Innovia’s development of an ice sports facility on the city’s Sullivan property. $2 million of lodging tax funding available in Fund #104 to be used toward design and construction of the infrastructure improvements identified in the city’s application. The recommendation is contingent and conditioned upon the City executing a ground lease or similar lease with Innovia for the construction of an ice sports facility in substantially the form as identified in Innovia’s lodging tax application, and that the conditions of the LTAC’s recommended operational support for Innovia are met. The LTAC passed the motion unanimously.
This topic will come back before the Council on Dec. 16, 2025, for a motion consideration.
#6 – CTA-2025-0002 Wireless Communication Tower Height Amendment
On July 29, 2025, the Council adopted Ordinance 25-013 as an emergency interim ordinance increasing height limits for communication towers used by regional agencies for first responder communication. On Oct. 21, 2025, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) applied to build a tower. The Planning Commission evaluated amendments to the municipal code to make the interim regulations permanent, but the group did not find a permanent amendment necessary, as SREC secured vested rights under the interim ordinance. The Planning Commission’s findings and recommendations were included in the packet.
Staff reviewed the potential land use-related risks that could lead to future emergency communication service interruptions. Staff recommend a permanent code text amendment. Terms of the amendments were reviewed. The Council reached consensus to proceed with a first reading.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Council adjourned to Executive Sesson to discuss the review of a public employee. No action was taken upon return to open session.
About Spokane Valley City Council
City Council meetings occur most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, and online via Zoom. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Agendas. Community members are invited to attend Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in-person or online. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14. Councilmembers are Mayor Pam Haley, Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Rod Higgins, Councilmember Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Al Merkel, Councilmember Ben Wick and Councilmember Laura Padden. Email the Council at CityCouncil@SpokaneValleyWA.gov or learn more at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/CityCouncil.
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