Council votes to retain elevator inspections

Spokane will keep its elevator inspection program rather than turn it over to the state.

The Spokane City Council on Monday voted 5-2 to more than double inspection fees to allow the city to hire a second inspector.

State law requires that conveyances – elevators, escalators and dumbwaiters – be inspected annually, but last year the city inspected fewer than half. Council members Bob Apple and Nancy McLaughlin argued for a state takeover of the program, but state officials said they wouldn’t be prepared to do so for at least a year.

Under the new fees, the city will charge $175 plus $22 for each level more than two for an annual inspection of a hydraulic elevator. Cable elevators will cost $350 plus $22 for each level more than two. Inspections for both kinds of elevators used to cost $85 plus $10 for each level more than two.

Jonathan Brunt