Jonathan Brunt

As city of Spokane administrators consider how to solve a forecasted budget deficit next year, they’ve signed off on employee contracts with raises that are expected to outpace new revenue. On Monday, for instance, the City Council will consider a contract for its largest union, Local 270 of the Washington State Council of County and City Employees, that would increase wages 5 percent each year from 2008 through 2010.

A Spokane police officer accused of kicking a handcuffed suspect in the face last week should face a misdemeanor assault charge, investigators have concluded. Detectives are recommending the fourth-degree assault charge against veteran Officer Robert M. Boothe in connection with the Sept. 5 confrontation, according to the police investigation, which was released Friday evening. Boothe has denied the allegation, according to police reports.

Spokane County Commissioner Mark Richard has become the first candidate this election season to accuse his opponent of stealing campaign signs, and says he might pursue criminal charges. His opponent, Liberty Lake City Councilman Brian Sayrs, denies it.

A project approved last year to redo Spokane City Hall’s heating and air conditioning system now will top $4 million. The Spokane City Council on Monday voted 6 to 1 to add $509,000 to the $3.6 million project approved last year. The money will come from a construction and special projects fund. The amount approved in 2007 was paid through the city’s 2006 budget surplus.

An animal law attorney is targeting a new Spokane ordinance that allows unidentifiable cats to be euthanized upon entering the city’s animal shelter. The Spokane City Council voted last month to end its policy requiring impounded cats be kept at least three days.

Spokane residents will get more than promised in six new pools expected to open next year. The winning bid to build the pools, from Graham Construction & Management, Inc. of Spokane, was $2.8 million less than expected, allowing the Spokane Park Board to add $1.1 million in pool extras, including classrooms at Witter and Liberty pools, and slides and lights at all six locations.

Spokane residents will get more than promised in six new pools expected to open next year. The winning bid to build the pools, from Graham Construction & Management, Inc. of Spokane, was $2.8 million less than expected, allowing the Spokane Park Board to add $1.1 million in pool extras, including classrooms at Witter and Liberty pools, and slides and lights at all six locations.

Spokane Mayor Mary Verner took on a new duty after Monday’s City Council meeting: animal control officer. On the way to their cars, Verner and City Administrator Ted Danek spotted a Canada goose wandering into traffic on Spokane Falls Boulevard.

Spokane leaders will start in a deep hole as they begin deciding how many police officers, firefighters and other employees will be on the payroll next year. Chief Financial Officer Gavin Cooley told City Council members last week that the city could be short as much as $4.5 million if they want to maintain current services while also meeting the administration’s goal of adding 12 police officers, six firefighters and a police ombudsman in 2009.

County leaders on Tuesday delayed a decision on the possible purchase of the downtown YMCA. City Park Board members have requested that the county buy the YMCA using property taxes collected through the Conservation Futures program. In 2006, the Park Board agreed to pay $5.3 million for the land and building, using a right-of-first-refusal option to stop a developer from buying the site, which overlooks Spokane Falls and is surrounded by Riverfront Park.

Spokane will join other fire districts and cities that are working to create countywide ambulance service. In a tie vote earlier this month, the City Council rejected a proposal to join the board created to take bids on the project.

Spokane taxpayers won’t be asked for extra money by city leaders in November. The Spokane City Council on Monday voted 5 to 2 to reject a request from Mayor Mary Verner to place a measure on the November ballot to pay for a new police evidence room, a shooting range and an animal shelter – projects that would cost almost $16 million.

Facing the potential construction of a condo tower in Riverfront Park, the county’s park committee this week recommended the purchase of the downtown YMCA. If county commissioners agree, the use of the county’s Conservation Futures tax will come as a relief to city parks leaders, who have struggled for two years to determine how to raise the remaining $4.3 million needed to buy the land and prevent construction of a tower adjacent to Spokane Falls.

Voters must wait until next year to have their say on a new jail complex that could cost taxpayers $245 million. Spokane County commissioners Tuesday decided unanimously to delay a vote on new taxes to pay for the complex until next year.

The city of Spokane will continue to go it alone for ambulance service. The Spokane City Council on Monday rejected in a tie vote a proposal to join a board that will take bids for a countywide ambulance contract.

Unlicensed cats in Spokane with no identification can be euthanized as soon as they enter the city animal shelter. The Spokane City Council on Monday voted 6-0 to end the city’s three-day required holding time for cats. Although the city ordinance required a delay in euthanizing cats, the city’s contract with SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. did not hold the group to the same policy.

Spokane Mayor Mary Verner announced Friday that she will allow new rules on big-box development in southeast Spokane to stand, but not with her signature. The mayor said earlier this week that she was pondering a veto of a Spokane City Council ordinance allowing development of three big-box stores near Regal Street and the Palouse Highway.