Spokane: Council Votes to Remove Community Safety Levy for Ballot
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~ Spokane City Council Votes to Remove Community Safety Levy from August Ballot

During a Special Legislative Meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2024, the Spokane City Council unanimously voted to request the Spokane County Auditor to remove the Community Safety Levy from the August ballot. This decision came after receiving a request from the Mayor's office to remove the levy from the special election.

The proposed levy, which called for a $1.00 per thousand increase in assessed property value, would have resulted in an additional $31.42 per month for households and a total of $37.5 million per year for the next five years. However, Council President Betsy Wilkerson stated that there was a lack of information surrounding the topic and that more input and analysis was needed before moving forward.

"The topic of a new property tax has been unsettled due to lack of information that, as a Council, we wanted," said Wilkerson. "Since the April vote, we've been listening to the voices of the community and additional conversation with my fellow Council Members, moving to remove this measure from the August ballot is a smart decision. We simply need more input and more information."

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The council had previously passed Resolution 2020-0044 in April with a vote of 5-2, requesting the Spokane County Auditor to hold a special election on August 6, 2024, for voters to consider the property tax levy. However, since then they have sought community feedback and engaged in extensive conversation before making their final decision.

"Our city growth has outpaced services and funding, so it is imperative we are thoughtful and deliberative on how we move forward to bring stakeholders together to respond to increased public safety needs," said Council Member Paul Dillon, who co-sponsored Resolution 2020-0044. "This extension will help us do just that as we work to shape a better future for Spokane."

The council's commitment to thoroughness led to the request for additional information, which ultimately resulted in the Mayor's request for the City Council to rescind Resolution 2024-0044 and withdraw its request from the Spokane County Auditor for placement on the August ballot. The Mayor also proposed extending the timeline for community engagement and additional analysis.

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"I am grateful to Mayor Brown for listening to the concerns of our constituents who cannot bear the burden of this significant and forever tax," said Council Member Michael Cathcart, another co-sponsor of Resolution 2020-0044. "Since my election in 2019, I have been calling on the city to tighten its belt. As Finance Chair, I look forward to rolling up our sleeves and transparently crafting the necessary detailed priority-based budget."

With this decision, the City Council has shown their dedication to making informed decisions that will benefit their community. They will continue to work towards finding a solution that addresses public safety needs while also considering the financial impact on residents.

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