OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Meeting: Budget, Homelessness Data, Aug 25, 2026

City Council & Commissions — Tuesday, August 25, 2026
BodySpokane Valley, Washington
SessionCity Council & Commissions
DateTuesday, August 25, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:22:45

Transcript — Verbatim
0:22

6 p.m.

0:23

when you're ready.

0:24

Thank you.

0:27

So the Spokane Valley City Council regular meeting, formal A format of Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 is now called to order.

0:38

We do have an invitation with Pastor James Hosak.

0:42

If we can all stand Father, we thank you for the freedoms that you've granted to us as a nation.

0:55

It's our desire that these freedoms not only be retained but used in a God-honoring manner, one that promotes uh justice and peace and dignity for all.

1:06

In that regards, Lord, we pray that you would grant wisdom to those who are in leadership, to those who have influence and guiding the affairs of our land.

1:16

We pray for our peace officers, we pray, Lord, for our first responders, those who serve on the judiciary, and Lord, in particular this evening for our elected officials who are gathered for tonight's meeting.

1:29

Pray that you place a hedge of protection around them and around each of their family members.

1:35

With regards to their official duties, help them with the various issues that they're going to deal with and wrestle with this evening.

1:43

Pray especially that they will find their thinking to be in tune with the Spirit of God.

1:48

For all of these things, sir, we pray in Jesus' name.

1:52

Amen.

1:53

Amen.

1:55

Thank you, Pastor.

1:56

If you can uh join me in the pledge, I pledge allegiance.

2:03

And to the Republic for what nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

2:17

So if the clerk will please uh call the roll.

2:20

Certainly.

2:21

Mayor Patton?

2:23

Here.

2:23

Councilmember Haley?

2:25

Councilmember Yeager?

2:26

Here.

2:27

Councilmember Kelly.

2:28

Present.

2:28

Councilmember Wick?

2:30

Here.

2:30

Uh Deputy Mayor Hattenberg.

2:32

Move to excuse Deputy Hattenberg.

2:34

Second.

2:35

All those in favor?

2:37

Aye.

2:37

Aye.

2:38

Opposed.

2:39

And Councilmember Wick.

2:41

Or excuse me, Councilmember Merkel.

2:43

Move to excuse.

2:44

Sorry.

2:47

Second.

2:47

All those in favor?

2:48

Aye.

2:49

Aye.

2:49

Opposed.

2:50

Both council members are excused.

2:54

We now have the approval of agenda.

2:56

Move to approve the agenda.

2:58

Second.

2:59

All those in favor?

3:01

Opposed.

3:03

The agenda is improved.

3:05

Approved.

3:06

There's no uh special guests or presentations, no proclamations.

3:11

And so we have the first general public comment opportunity.

3:15

This is an opportunity for the public to speak on any subject except agenda action items as public comments will be taken on those items where indicated.

3:24

Please keep comments to matters within the jurisdiction of the city government.

3:29

This is not an opportunity for questions or discussion.

3:33

Diverse points of view are welcome, but please keep remarks civil.

3:37

Remarks will be limited to three minutes per person.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Homelessness██████████████████████████████30%
Public Safety██████████████████████████26%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████████████17%
Procedural███████7%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Community Engagement███████7%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Economic Development██2%
Demographics█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Spokane Valley City Council Regular Meeting – August 25, 2026

The Spokane Valley City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 6 p.m. The agenda included appointments to the Homeless and Housing Task Force, a regional Point in Time Count presentation, and the second review of the draft 2027 budget. Council also addressed consent agenda items and received councilmember reports.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved consent agenda unanimously, including routine items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • One audience member (Debbie) spoke briefly to thank the technicians for recent system improvements. No other public comments were made, either in person or via Zoom.

Discussion Items

  • Homeless and Housing Task Force Appointments: Eric Robison, Housing and Homeless Coordinator, presented two mayoral appointments: Jessica Loffery (Position 3, business sector representative) and Bryn Hexenberger (Position 9, community health care representative). Councilmembers expressed support, citing their experience with vulnerable populations and alignment with the city's philosophies. The appointments were confirmed unanimously.
  • Point in Time Count Presentation: Amanda Martinez (HMIS lead for City of Spokane) presented the 2026 Point in Time Count (PIT) data, conducted January 27, 2026. Key statistics:
    • 1,738 individuals countywide (1,500 households).
    • 643 unsheltered; 1,095 sheltered (emergency shelter or transitional housing).
    • 590 chronically homeless individuals (sheltered: 295; unsheltered: 295).
    • 84 veterans (continuing downward trend).
    • 640 adults with serious mental illness; 404 with substance use disorder; 139 with domestic violence history.
    • Majority of unsheltered individuals reported being from Spokane County (over 90% consistent since 2019).
    • Housing inventory count showed 182 scattered-site shelter beds added in 2025, offsetting the closure of the TRAC shelter (approx. 250 beds).
    • Utilization rates: emergency shelter and transitional housing around 80% (considered healthy); permanent housing programs near 100% (by HUD definition).
    • Identified challenges: disproportionate representation of BIPOC, document readiness gaps (over 40% lacked photo ID or social security card), and need to increase utilization of available shelter beds.
  • 2027 Budget Discussion: Finance Director Chelsea Walls presented the second draft of the 2027 budget. Highlights:
    • Total estimated revenues across all funds: ~$148 million.
    • General fund recurring revenues estimated at $71.8 million (up 5.14% from 2026), with property taxes ($14.5M) and sales taxes ($37M) as largest sources.
    • General fund expenditures uncertain due to unknown law enforcement contract costs. The sheriff's office provided an initial budget estimate of $82 million for the sheriff's office, implying ~$41 million for Spokane Valley (a 6.6% increase over the city's 2026 budget of $38.5M). Council noted discrepancies: the county's 2026 sheriff budget was ~$66.3 million, and the 2024 actual cost to the city was ~$28 million. Staff continue to work with the county to refine estimates.
    • Other fund challenges: street fund deficit of ~$1 million (partially offset by REET transfers); structural deficits in several operating funds; rising costs in public safety affecting other departments.
    • Budget calendar: adoption scheduled for November 17, 2026, with further workshops and public hearings in September.

Key Outcomes

  • Confirmed Jessica Loffery and Bryn Hexenberger to the Homeless and Housing Task Force (positions 3 and 9) unanimously.
  • Staff directed to work with the county on law enforcement budget estimates and to provide clearer public safety cost projections at a future meeting.
  • Council gave consensus to have city staff remove Flock cameras from streets (following the end of the agreement with Flock and the county) to avoid public confusion.
  • Upcoming events noted: sports courts ribbon cutting (Aug 25, 3:30 p.m.), Cops and Kids Car Show (4–7 p.m.), and 'Cars' movie in the park (after sunset).

Meeting Transcript

6 p.m. when you're ready. Thank you. So the Spokane Valley City Council regular meeting, formal A format of Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 is now called to order. We do have an invitation with Pastor James Hosak. If we can all stand Father, we thank you for the freedoms that you've granted to us as a nation. It's our desire that these freedoms not only be retained but used in a God-honoring manner, one that promotes uh justice and peace and dignity for all. In that regards, Lord, we pray that you would grant wisdom to those who are in leadership, to those who have influence and guiding the affairs of our land. We pray for our peace officers, we pray, Lord, for our first responders, those who serve on the judiciary, and Lord, in particular this evening for our elected officials who are gathered for tonight's meeting. Pray that you place a hedge of protection around them and around each of their family members. With regards to their official duties, help them with the various issues that they're going to deal with and wrestle with this evening. Pray especially that they will find their thinking to be in tune with the Spirit of God. For all of these things, sir, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor. If you can uh join me in the pledge, I pledge allegiance. And to the Republic for what nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. So if the clerk will please uh call the roll. Certainly. Mayor Patton? Here. Councilmember Haley? Councilmember Yeager? Here. Councilmember Kelly. Present. Councilmember Wick? Here. Uh Deputy Mayor Hattenberg. Move to excuse Deputy Hattenberg. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed. And Councilmember Wick. Or excuse me, Councilmember Merkel. Move to excuse. Sorry. Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed. Both council members are excused. We now have the approval of agenda. Move to approve the agenda. Second. All those in favor?

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