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City of Spokane
Community Update
November 5, 2024
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Investing In A Safer Spokane
The City of Spokane is proposing a Community Safety Sales Tax to fund new investments the Spokane Fire, Spokane Police, the Office of the Police Ombuds, and Spokane Municipal Court. If approved, this sales tax would generate an estimated $6.5 million annually for the City of Spokane for no more than 10 years. Money generated would be placed in a dedicated Community Safety Fund to provide additional transparency and accountability.
To learn more and watch the virtual town hall visit my.spokanecity.org/communitysafety.
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Message from the Mayor
Saturday, I unveiled my Administration’s first budget proposal, which resolves the City of Spokane’s structural deficit and puts the city back on a path to fiscal sustainability. Through identifying efficiencies and targeting reductions over the past 11 months, the proposed budget:
- Is balanced for each year and the biennium
- Ensures our unallocated reserve levels are not only maintained but enhanced
- Restores funding sources for long-term capital projects
Learn more on the City of Spokane's website.
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Mayor Brown Announces Partnership with Local Partners to Encourage Participation in Working Families Tax Credits
The City of Spokane is teaming up with SNAP, Nuestras Raíces, LaunchNW, and Spokane Public Schools to help spread the word about the Working Families Tax Credit. This credit is designed to put money back in the pockets of hardworking families. Apply today at workingfamiliescredit.wa.gov. Learn more about our partnership here.
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Mayor Brown Allocates Additional Funds for Inclement Weather Sheltering
Mayor Lisa Brown has allocated a one-time additional $800,000 to the existing $250,000 set aside by the Spokane City Council for inclement weather sheltering. The City will now be able to fund 133 surge beds for 143 nights between The Way Out Shelter, Hope House, House of Charity, Revive, and the Salvation Army’s Family Emergency Shelter. For more information visit our website.
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Happy Election Day!
Happy Election Day! Ballot drop boxes close promptly at 8 p.m.; for a full list of ballot drop box locations visit the Spokane County Elections website.
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Get Ready for Winter with Local Mascots
Our friends Otto, KC, and Boomer from the Spokane Indians and Spokane Chiefs are helping us get prepared for winter! Make sure your snow shovels, ice melt, sand, and snow blower are on deck; if you don't want to shovel consider signing up for a snow removal company. Move your RV or trailer off the street, and park on the odd-numbered side. Learn more on our website.
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Global Entrepreneurship Month Kick-off Party
November marks Global Entrepreneurship Month, a time to celebrate innovators and connect entrepreneurs with the resources and networks they need to succeed. StartUp Spokane, a partnership between Spokane Public Library and Spokane County Library District, is committed to making Spokane the most equitable place to start, run, and grow a business. In November, they’re offering a series of events to inspire and support entrepreneurs at every stage.
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Neighborhood News You Can Use
News you can use with the Office of Neighborhood Services! Visit spokaneneighborhoods.org to find out what neighborhood you live in and how to join your neighborhood council.
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Long-term Rental Property Registry
The Long-Term Rental Registry is focused on preserving housing stock, maintaining safe living spaces, and creating and maintaining a database to track rental units in our community. For those already registered, the renewal window for 2025 is open. Any property registration submitted between now and Tuesday, Dec. 31 will be for the 2025 calendar year. For those registered, automated communications from the Accela Citizen Access system will be delivered to the email addresses listed on each registration. Click here for more information.
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Asphalt Art Crosswalks
Vote for the Asphalt Art crosswalk location in your District! Vote for the Asphalt Art crosswalk location in your District:
Aren’t sure which District you live in? Find your District by searching your address on the Neighborhood Council map. The surveys will close on Saturday, Nov. 30.
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City of Spokane Closes Trent Resource and Assistance Center
Operations at the City of Spokane’s Trent Resource and Assistance Center (TRAC) have ended. We know that warehousing people is not the right way to help them break through the challenges of homelessness, so we are moving to a new model that we know provides better results and is also more cost effective. Details on our website.
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'State of Community Safety' Virtual Town Hall
Mayor Lisa Brown and City of Spokane leadership will hold a “State of Community Safety” virtual town hall on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 11 a.m. to noon. At the town hall, we will give updates on the findings of the CORE Plan pilot, results of the Community Safety Proposal, and the City of Spokane’s comprehensive plans to address housing, healthcare, and human services for those experiencing homelessness.
Questions can be pre-submitted here. In a couple of weeks, a Zoom link will be posted publicly on our website.
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Veterans Day is Monday
Veterans Day is Monday, Nov. 11. Here is what you need to know.
- On-street parking meters and kiosks will not require payment, but remember even when parking is free on holidays, all parking rules, including time limits, still apply.
- Solid Waste Services will proceed on its regular schedule.
- Waste to Energy Facility will be open.
- City Hall will be open including the Development Service Center and My Spokane 311.
- Spokane City Council will be on their regular schedule.
- Riverfront Park is offering complimentary Looff Carrousel rides for all military members, both active and retired, along with their families.
- All Spokane Public Library branches are closed.
- Spokane Municipal Court and Community Justice Services will be closed.
For more information visit our website!
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Council Recap
Council Member Zack Zappone recaps the Monday, Nov. 4, Spokane City Council meeting.
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Racially Restrictive Covenant Removal Workshops
Is your home one of the 6,400 in Spokane County with a racially restrictive covenant? The Spokane Public Library and EWU Racial Covenants Project are holding a workshop on Saturday, Nov. 9, 3 p.m. at the Shadle Park Library to help homeowners learn how to identify and remove these discriminatory covenants from their property records. Don’t miss this chance to take action!
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Housing and Parking Solutions - Public Events
Join us for two presentations from author Daniel Herriges. He will discuss how housing policy can ease housing shortages and unlock new entry-level housing. The next day he will discuss how parking policy can achieve a wide range of livability, economic, and environmental goals through parking management and conversion to community-supporting land uses. Join us at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, and Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Spokane City Hall Council Chambers.
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Glide into Savings
Buy your Unlimited Ice Pass to the Numerica Skate Ribbon now and receive an early bird discount of 15%! The offer ends on Friday, Nov. 22. Click here for more information.
- Adult Pass: $33.96
- Youth Pass (ages 3-12): $24.61
- Unlimited Skate Rental Add-On: $16.96
Prices listed above include the applied discount.
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UHelp Program Needs Assistance
In 2013, the City of Spokane began a program to support households who qualify with one-time emergency financial assistance to help pay for their City utility bills, which includes charges for water, wastewater, stormwater, and garbage collection. The UHelp program is funded through donations with a dollar-for-dollar match provided by a designated Public Works fund of up to $50,000 each year. To continue to serve the need moving forward, more donations are needed.
You can donate online, by phone, or by mail. Click here to learn more about the UHelp program.
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Spokane Rewards. Spokane Solves. Spokane Gives
The City of Spokane is a great place to combine community support with expertise. There are more than 30 boards, commissions, and committees made up of volunteers who help shape our community. If you have one day a year, or one day a week, there is an opportunity for you. Pick your passion and get involved!
Join ‘Adopt A Neighbor'
Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington's Adopt A Neighbor initiative is looking for compassionate groups in Spokane County willing to assist seniors and individuals with disabilities during the leafy and snowy seasons. The initiative seeks groups such as clubs, organizations, businesses, churches, community centers, and schools. Individuals interested in participating will be paired with a group. To sign up, contact Adopt A Neighbor at action@altcew.org or via phone. Click here to learn more.
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Autumn Adventures: Free Carrousel Rides for Veterans
Riverfront Park is offering complimentary Looff Carrousel rides for all military members, both active and retired, along with their families. Come celebrate on Veteran's Day, Monday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Click here to learn more.
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On The Bright Side
The Washington State Department of Commerce presented the City with the Governor’s Award for SMART Projects for the Cochran Basin Stormwater Improvement Projects. These projects reduce contaminants that reach the Spokane River while improving access for outdoor enthusiasts.
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