Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting - May 5, 2026

The Spokane Valley City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting included action on two ordinances, administrative reports on the state legislative session, parks and recreation summer preview, and a budget amendment, along with public comments and council updates.

Public Comments

• A community member read from a recent article citing that approximately 48 people per day are leaving Washington state, and one in four businesses consider leaving. The speaker urged the council to incorporate these economic trends into city planning, expressing concern about a "tsunami" from state leadership.

Action Items

• Ordinance 26-005 (Virtual Currency Kiosks): Second reading. Deputy City Attorney Caitlin Prunty and Police Chief Dave Ellis presented a new chapter 7.60 of the municipal code prohibiting virtual currency kiosks, with minor definition changes to exclude personal/business devices. Violation is a class one civil infraction ($250 penalty) and potential business license revocation. Existing kiosks must be removed within 30 days. Council voted unanimously to adopt.
• Ordinance 26-006 (Opportunity Fund CTA): Second reading. City Attorney Kelly Konkright presented amendments authorizing a Tourism Promotion Area opportunity fund for grant awards to incentivize events in Spokane Valley. No changes from first reading. Councilmember Haley expressed excitement about attracting events. Council voted unanimously to adopt.

Discussion Items

• Recap of 2026 State Legislative Session: Legislative policy coordinator Virginia Clough and state lobbyist Brianna Murray reported on the 60-day session. Key themes: responding to federal actions, affordability, tax and budget reform. A 9.9% income tax on income over $1 million was passed (effective 2029), along with sales tax exemptions on diapers, hygiene products, over-the-counter medications, and services. These exemptions apply to state and local sales taxes, reducing city revenues. The legislature set aside $200 million in the 2027-2029 outlook for mitigation, but it is non-binding. The city successfully secured $258,000 for Balfour Park accessibility amenities (lighting and audio). On public safety, Chief Ellis discussed new restrictions on automated license plate readers (ALPRs) under Senate Bill 5974: data retention reduced to 21 days, use limited to felonies and gross misdemeanors, and cannot be used near healthcare, schools, food banks, or places of worship. ALPRs have been paused citywide pending software updates. The sheriff's bill (SB 5974) imposes pre-appointment background checks and experience requirements; a lawsuit has been filed over its constitutionality. The city also received $300,000 for an ice skating rink project.
• Parks & Recreation Summer Season Preview: Recreation Coordinator Kendall May presented the spring/summer guide, new online registration system (Civic Rec), and programs: Arbor Day (4th year as Tree City USA), America 250 picnic (May 30), Beethoven Van concerts, free park program (June 22–Aug 6, with meals from East Valley School District), summer day camp expanded from 56 to 80 campers (weeks filling quickly), archery, adult dance, salsa, youth sports, outdoor movies, aquatics at three pools (staggered opening June 15/22, free swim Fridays and Sundays sponsored by Numerica and Pool World), dog swim event (Paws in the Pool, Aug 24), park shelter reservations (100+ reservations), special event permits (22 processed), new farmers market location (Scale House, starting June 5), sand volleyball at Browns Park, ball fields managed by Spokane Indians Youth Baseball, Green Acres Community Garden, and The Course (online reservation system, booking events). Councilmember Wick noted recreation programs are cost recovery, not taxpayer-funded.
• 2026 Budget Amendment: Finance Director Chelsie Walls presented proposed amendments affecting nine funds, with revenue increases of $5.3 million and expenditure increases of $7 million (including $2 million in interfund transfers). Key items: $600,000 for SharePoint implementation (one-time consultant cost for document management, transitioning from current system; Deputy City Manager Liam explained efficiencies for public records and collaboration); $35,000 for a domestic drone replacement (due to federal restrictions on Chinese-made DJI drones); $47,000 additional for replacement of two vehicles (an F-250 for code enforcement to increase payload/towing capacity and a Ford Maverick for facilities manager). Community and Economic Development Director Mike Basinger argued the F-250 would allow in-house small abatements using an existing dump trailer, reducing contractor costs. Councilmember Wick raised a policy question about shifting from contracted to in-house abatement. Council expressed consensus to move forward with the budget amendment.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 26-005: Adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 26-006: Adopted unanimously.
• Budget Amendment: Council expressed consensus to move forward; staff will bring back more information on cost recovery for vehicle-related abatement services.
• ALPRs: Paused citywide pending software compliance with new state law; Chief Ellis to provide update to Public Safety Committee.
• Directed Staff: To begin early conversations on 2027 legislative priorities given expected challenges.
• Parks & Rec: Expanded summer day camp capacity (now 80 campers) and new online registration system operational.
• Council Comments: Councilmember Wick highlighted the Association of Washington Cities Conference in Spokane (June 23–26); Councilmember Kelly noted the Inland Partners groundbreaking delayed to October due to federal funding issues; Councilmember Haley reported Spokane Transit will place a 0.2% sales tax renewal on the August ballot; Mayor recognized National Small Business Week and thanked law enforcement for their service.
• Adjourned: Meeting adjourned at approximately [time not specified] after a unanimous vote.