City, county leaders discuss cooperation council

They may not be the Hatfields and McCoys, but Spokane city and county leaders have their issues.

In an effort to resolve those problems, about 50 officials gathered Wednesday to discuss the formation of a council of Spokane County elected leaders.

Its aim will be to promote talk and decency over lawsuits and nastiness, and maybe, just maybe, induce collaboration on efforts that could save taxpayer money.

“We’re dealing with this huge dysfunctional family that we’re all a part of,” Spokane City Councilwoman Nancy McLaughlin said. “It will take awhile to walk through all the muddiness.”

County Commissioner Mark Richard spearheaded the event and served as the head cheerleader and motivational speaker. At the end of the session, participants said they liked the idea of a new council to improve relations.

“The fact is we do have a choice right here, right now,” Richard said as he wrapped up the session. “I just don’t think we can fail unless we choose not to act.”

County and city leaders, especially city of Spokane leaders, have had rocky relations for years. While officials on both sides often talk about improving relations, lawsuits and public griping indicate things aren’t so peachy.

Last year, the city filed suit against the county over the city’s desire to separate its municipal court from the county. In November, the county sued the city over utility taxes that it alleges are unfair.

More recently, the county appealed a case against the city alleging it owes property taxes on the River Park Square garage. (River Park Square is owned by the Cowles Co., which also owns The Spokesman-Review.)

Here’s a sampling of other ongoing feuds:

•The newest disagreement – and one that has the potential to create significant friction in the coming months – is the city of Spokane’s attempt to annex commercial property along Division Street. County commissioners are fighting the proposal and say the city is trying to balance its budget at the expense of county coffers. City folks say, well, pretty much the opposite.

•City leaders have complained about escalating costs to house their inmates in jail or the Geiger Corrections Center, which are run by Spokane County. In February, the county threatened to release Spokane inmates at Geiger after the Spokane officials balked at paying higher rates.

•Many city officials, perhaps most vocally from Spokane Valley, have expressed concern that the county will pursue policies that will create financial hardship on cities in its 20-year growth plan, which is being reworked this year.

Richard invited participation from all city council members, mayors and county commissioners in Spokane County, as well as tribal representatives and state officials.

Leaders at Wednesday’s meeting suggested the new council could start with a few topics that aren’t too controversial and work from there.

The group will reconvene in a few months.

“Anything we do now is going to be an improvement on how we’ve operated in the past,” McLaughlin said.