Jonathan Brunt

Al French for county auditor?

The decision to expand Spokane County’s jail near downtown may be rescinded in the face of growing cost projections. Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich on Wednesday asked county commissioners to rethink their 2008 vote to place a new jail next to the lockup that’s been in use since 1986. His reason: Estimates show building a multistory jail on the county campus would cost $265 million – $36 million more than a one-story version on vacant rural land.

The decision to expand Spokane County’s jail near downtown may be reversed in the face of growing cost projections.

Anyone interested in finishing four vacated terms serving local governments within Spokane County has until Friday to file for the November election. A filing period begins today for candidates seeking to fill seats on the Spokane Valley City Council, Fairfield City Council, Deer Park School Board and Spokane County Fire District 10 Commission. Winners of the Spokane Valley and Fairfield council seats and the Deer Park School Board position will serve the remaining two years in the vacated terms. There are four years remaining in the vacated fire district position.

Eugster not done

The selection of a new plane to replace the Air Force’s aging tanker fleet could be finalized within a year, a four-star general said Friday at Fairchild Air Force Base. Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, who leads the Air Mobility Command, said a draft proposal seeking bids from plane manufacturers will be released next month.

The selection of new plane to replace the Air Force’s aging tanker fleet could be finalized within a year, a four-star general said Friday at Fairchild Air Force Base.

Since when do Democrats win late counts?

The race is on

A new district will siphon new tax revenues for 25 years from in and around the University District in Spokane to pay for pedestrian improvements, beautification and other projects. The Spokane City Council on Monday unanimously approved the creation of the Spokane University District Revitalization Area.

A neighborhood vote this week smooths the way for the biggest retail center the South Hill has seen in decades, if not ever. The Southgate Neighborhood Council ended its long battle to prevent big box development along Regal Street near the Palouse Highway. Members of the council said they will give up their legal fight to focus on holding developers to a series of agreements, which they approved Wednesday 15-0 with two abstentions. The same agreements are expected to be approved Monday by the Spokane City Council.

One of Spokane’s smallest unions has agreed to concessions next year to avoid layoffs, making it the first city bargaining group to do so. The Spokane Police Lieutenants and Captains Association last week agreed to give up a portion of its retirement plan in 2010. Its decision likely will save at least one police officer’s job, said Capt. Steve Braun, president of the association.

The City of Spokane's smallest union has agreed to concessions next year to avoid layoffs, making them the first to do so.

Surprise endorsement?

Only four of the dozen candidates running for Spokane City Council say human activity contributes significantly to global warming. The rest – including two incumbents – question what has become the consensus among climate scientists, or say they don’t know enough about the topic to give an opinion. Global warming has been a hot topic in city government since then-Mayor Dennis Hession signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement in 2007, aiming the city toward reducing carbon emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

A group fighting to place a list of rights into Spokane’s charter is accusing city leaders of tampering with that initiative and has hinted that it may file a lawsuit against the city. Late Monday night, the Spokane City Council decided to ask voters if the city should raise taxes or fees “as needed” to pay for Envision Spokane’s Community Bill of Rights. Separately, the council decided to ask if residents would rather have the city reduce services to cover any costs.

Spokane voters will decide in November if they want to continue paying extra property taxes to buy fire equipment and build new fire stations. But residents may cast their votes at the same time city leaders prepare to close a fire station and lay off firefighters to deal with a forecast $7 million deficit.