Spokane: City Council Approves Mayor's Orders for Declaration of Emergency
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~ During the Spokane City Council Legislative Session, Council Members unanimously voted to approve Resolution 2026-0060, which addresses an Executive Order issued by Mayor of Spokane in response to the Spokane Complex Fires on August 4, 2026. This resolution was necessary as per local law, which requires the City Council to accept, modify, or reject emergency declarations as soon as possible. The emergency declarations will remain in effect until the Council takes action.

The ratification of these executive orders grants authorization to the Mayor and her administration to continue entering into provider agreements that may involve significant general fund dollars and encumber funds outside of the normal council approval process. In order to avoid any delays in ratifying essential emergency contracts, the Council has decided to adopt a single resolution for all related contracts instead of individual resolutions for each contract. However, this is subject to the condition that these emergency contracts comply with administrative policies and procedures and are presented to the Council.

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Council President Betsy Wilkerson emphasized the importance of this emergency declaration in ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. She stated that it allows for effective mobilization of resources and necessary assistance for those affected by the fires. Wilkerson also expressed gratitude towards first responders, community organizations, volunteers, and residents of Spokane for their swift response in supporting those affected. She believes that this united effort truly embodies what it means to be "Spokane Strong."

The resolution passed by the Council states that the state of emergency will continue until October 1, 2026 unless extended by a City Council resolution for a longer period. As long as these emergency orders are in effect, the Mayor and her administration have flexibility in entering into contracts worth more than $50,000 without seeking prior approval from the City Council and without competitive bidding.

This decision by the City Council highlights their commitment towards addressing this crisis and supporting residents during this difficult time. It also showcases their trust in Mayor and her administration to make necessary decisions in response to the wildfire and its aftermath. The Council urges the community to continue coming together and supporting each other as they navigate through recovery from the devastating fires.

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