Mike Prager

The city of Spokane is likely to receive 14 citations and violations over worker safety issues as the result of a state investigation into a fatal accident May 10 at the city's wastewater treatment plant in North Spokane. Investigators from the Washington Department of Labor and Industries held what's called a "closing conference" with city officials Friday on a six-month investigation into circumstances surrounding an explosion at one of three sewage treatment "digesters."

The finance committee of the Spokane Park Board on Friday approved a tentative 2005 budget that calls for a mix of cuts and new charges to plug a $1 million hole in parks and recreation spending. The committee's plan partly backs down from proposed cuts in funding to senior centers and community centers. Larger cuts proposed earlier this month drew an outcry from senior center members and others.

The Spokane River from the lower Spokane Falls to High Bridge Park would become a magnet for a variety of recreation uses under a master plan unveiled Wednesday night. "I like the concept of the whole park," said Jesse Hansen, of Spokane.

Spokane Mayor Jim West on Monday said he is planning to keep open the city's 14 fire stations but will reduce staffing on a number of fire rigs as part of a citywide reduction in services next year. The mayor is expected to unveil his proposal today for cutting more than $10 million from general tax-funded services to match a forecast for revenue of $116 million for 2005. Cuts are expected in police, streets, libraries, parks and other City Hall services.

Spokane library officials on Wednesday said they are facing a choice between mothball closures of three neighborhood branches or reduced operations at all six of the city's libraries. Library trustees said they want to look at options for cutting $1.2 million from the $7.5 million library budget, and then take comment from the public in a series of town hall meetings before making any decisions.

Two Republican challengers in Spokane's 3rd Legislative District are running uphill battles in their efforts to break Democratic control of this largely blue-collar, lower-income, urban district. The GOP's David Stevens, who is challenging four-term incumbent Rep. Alex Wood, estimates he has knocked on 3,000 doors in his run for the Position 1 seat.

Spokane city libraries are facing a $1 million budget cut for 2005, a cut that could result in shorter hours, fewer librarians and the closing of a branch. The exact mix of cuts and service reductions will be left to the Library Board of Trustees, which will get its first look at its budget options during a public meeting at 4:30 p.m. today on the first floor of the downtown library.

The Spokane city debate over a $117 million street repair measure and pending layoffs in city government played out in front of the City Council on Monday as the council voted to give an endorsement to the street measure. "The roads are a mess. They are getting worse," said Councilwoman Cherie Rodgers. "We just simply can't go on."

The audience had gathered to hear legislative candidates talk about how the state is going to help some of its most vulnerable citizens. As priorities of government go, support for developmentally disabled people has got to be somewhere at the top, one of the dozen candidates said.

Budget cuts at Spokane City Hall could claim 65 or 70 positions in the fire department in 2005, and more than two dozen police officers, city officials said Thursday. Fire Chief Bobby Williams said his department is being asked to cut $4.3 million next year. Most of the job losses would involve firefighters, and the majority of the cut would come through layoffs, he said.

Free summer swimming for kids could end and financial support for senior centers and community centers would be trimmed under a 2005 budget proposal from the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. The plan, recently unveiled by department staff, also calls for closing wading pools, and the outdoor and indoor swimming pools at Shadle Park.

The Spokane City Council on Monday voted 5-1 to create a seven-member Citizens' Streets Advisory Commission to oversee street spending. The action comes midway through a campaign to win a $117 million property tax measure to repair city streets. Voters will decide the bond issue on Nov. 2.

Top executives and labor leaders at Spokane City Hall spent Tuesday ranking city services in preparation for a $10 million budget reduction. The cuts for 2005 could come in any number of services funded with general taxes, including police, fire, library, parks, streets and administration.

The Spokane City Council on Monday learned it will be asked to cut nearly $10 million from the city's 2005 general fund budget. The size of the cut almost certainly means fewer police officers and firefighters, as well as the possibility of layoffs throughout the City Hall departments that are funded by general taxes.

Elected officials at Spokane City Hall say they've come up with a new way to answer criticism that tax money already going for city streets is not being spent efficiently. Mayor Jim West has proposed the creation of a seven-member citizens commission to oversee street spending. The proposal is now before the City Council.

They've been talking about hiring an independent auditor at Spokane City Hall for seven years now. The new auditor is finally scheduled to show up for work next month, although a few details are yet to be worked out – like where to locate his office.