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Dan Hansen

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Consolidating Offers No Financial Guarantees

A consolidated government would make Spokane a better place to live, but it wouldn't necessarily mean lower taxes, say government experts. "The big thing that drives growth in government has to do with what people want government to do and how much (the services) cost," said David Nice, who teaches political science at Washington State University. "Government structure ... doesn't usually make a big difference."

Supporters Outspending Opponents

Supporters of the unified charter are outspending opponents more than 20 to 1, according to county election records updated last week. With strong backing from businesses, the pro-consolidation group We The People has raised $206,538. One contributor alone, the economic development group Momentum, gave $100,000. Other large donors include Washington Trust Bank, Washington Water Power Co. and The Spokesman-Review, each of which gave $10,000 or more.

The Puzzling Question Of Consolidation Supporters, Opponents Scrutinize Plan To Merge City, County

On the surface, it's the simplest of proposals: Take a map of Spokane County, erase the dotted line that designates the city limits and call the whole thing one community. Formalize the change by combining city and county departments, and replacing the Spokane City Council and county commission with a single legislative body. Make those changes, supporters say, and local government will be more efficient, more responsive and better prepared to handle regional issues like land-use planning.

Unifying Would Bring Many Changes

Don't be surprised if the people who print campaign signs aren't too enthused about consolidating Spokane city and county governments. The proposal, if passed by voters on Nov. 7, could cut into their business. The charter written by freeholders would eliminate the elected offices of sheriff, coroner, treasurer, assessor, auditor and clerk. They would all be replaced by appointed positions.
News >  Spokane

Christmas Memories Are Hard To Forget

Alina Morse, 2, of Spokane, asks Corny the clown to make a balloon mouse at the Christmas Memories show at the Spokane Convention Center on Friday. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review
News >  Spokane

Merger Could Save Millions, Study Shows Consultants Say Consolidation Will Reduce Management Costs

A study released Tuesday says taxpayers could save at least $5.5 million in annual management costs by merging Spokane city and county governments. Consultants hired by the business group Momentum spent two weeks finding management positions in the city and the county that duplicate each other, and deciding which could be cut if voters approve consolidation next Tuesday. After adding an independent auditor and staff for that office, the merged government still could cut 110 managers, secretaries and other management support positions, the consultants said.
News >  Spokane

Caller Spreads False Claims

FOR THE RECORD: Wednesday, November 1, 1995 CORRECTION: Mike Patterson is city administrator in Airway Heights. A story in Tuesday's Spokesman-Review placed him in the wrong city.
News >  Spokane

Charter Backers, Opponents Spar; Ex-Mayors For It

It was "the taxpayers" versus "the people" Monday at the Ridpath Hotel. In one corner, wearing "Vote No" buttons, the anti-consolidation group, We The Taxpayers, started its news conference at 10 a.m. The group came out swinging, with a respected constitutional law professor claiming Spokane residents might pay an income tax if consolidation passes.
News >  Spokane

The Charter On Fire Districts, Libraries, Animal Control

Here are some questions and answers regarding the city-county consolidation proposal facing voters Nov. 7: Question: What would happen to the fire districts? Answer: The charter leaves the districts independent, but creates a commission of fire officials and others to consider whether some services, or some entire districts, should be merged.
News >  Nation/World

City Utility Tax Could Be Extended To County Areas

Here are some questions and answers regarding the proposed city-county consolidation: Question: What is the rate of the city's utility tax? Could it be levied on Valley residents if consolidation is approved? Answer: The city levies a 17 percent tax on water, sewer and garbage bills. It collects 6 percent on natural gas, electricity and telephone bills.
News >  Spokane

Valley Chamber Split On Charter

Valley business leaders who responded to a recent survey were split evenly on the issue of Spokane city-county consolidation. Seventy-three Valley Chamber of Commerce members said they support consolidation. Another 73 oppose the idea. Sixteen said they are undecided. "I expected the vote of our membership to be close, but a tie did surprise me," said Executive Director Ray Murphy.
News >  Spokane

Consolidate And Save? Hard To Say Unify And Simplify, Ok, But The Third Of Backers’ Promises Proves Elusive

"Unify, simplify and save," promise campaign signs for Spokane city-county consolidation. But government experts, even those who agree with the first two promises, say the third is impossible to prove. "It's not at all clear that economic efficiency has resulted" from consolidation in other communities, said David Olson, political science professor at the University of Washington.
News >  Spokane

Dollars And Cents, If The Charter Passes

Here's what the proposed citycounty charter says about money issues: The consolidated government could levy a business and occupation tax countywide, but not without a public vote. County governments cannot use the B&O; tax; the city of Spokane does not currently have one. The government could levy a utility tax, which the city uses to collect about 20 percent of its budget. County governments cannot levy utility taxes. Government debt would be limited to half of what's allowed under state law.
News >  Idaho

Immigrant Charged With Bear Poaching

Nikolay Senchenko arrives Thursday at the U.S. Court House in Spokane for arraignment on charges of illegally snaring bears. Photo by Colin Mulvany/The Spokesman-Review
News >  Nation/World

Freeholders Taking Sides On Campaign

With more than two years invested in writing a proposal for city-county consolidation, Spokane County freeholders aren't about to step aside now. "The job isn't over," said Ed Sharman. "The great majority of us got swept up in this thing." The group of 25 freeholders disbanded in May after completing the task for which they were elected: writing a unified charter to present to voters. It will be on the Nov. 7 ballot.
News >  Spokane

East Coast Towns Treasure Their Homey Governments

Residents in several East Coast towns say they aren't sorry they kept their independence while the counties around them merged with bigger cities. "It's face-to-face (government). People have access," said Jim Jarboe, deputy city manager at Atlantic Beach, Fla. "If anything goes wrong with government, whether it's local, state or federal, they let us know at our meetings." Jarboe's city of 14,000 is one of four in Duval County, which merged with Jacksonville 27 years ago. The other towns range in size from 2,000 to 18,000 people.