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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

A Gradual Process

The proposed charter written by Spokane County freeholders sets a firm schedule for consolidating Spokane city and county governments. Here’s what would happen if voters approve consolidation:

Feb. 6, 1996: Primary election for executive and council members.

March 12, 1996: Final election of 13 council members and executive.

May 1, 1996: City and county governments replaced by consolidated government.

Within 60 days of consolidation: Council establishes a human rights commission.

Within four months: Council appoints a hearing examiner.

Within six months: Council establishes a planning commission.

Personnel Study Committee presents council with plan for unifying the personnel systems.

Within nine months: Department heads selected.

Executive convenes Council of Mayors, representatives of small towns in the county who meet quarterly to discuss issues impacting their towns.

Within one year: Council convenes Election Reform Commission.

Council decides whether to put golf courses, fairgrounds, the arena and other money-making recreational facilities under a single manager.

Within two years: Committee composed of chiefs and commissioners from independent fire districts completes a study and may recommend merging some with the city fire department. Any proposals must be approved by voters in the affected districts.

Executive must present a plan for merging the city library system with the county library district.

Within three years: County residents vote on election reforms presented by the Election Reform Commission.

Within four years: Planning Commission implements a comprehensive land-use plan.

Council starts review of all special purpose districts, such as water and sewer districts, which may be merged with the consolidated government. Any proposals must be approved by voters in the affected districts.

Within five years: Voters elect new freeholders to critique the government. Voters must approve any recommended changes.

Districting committee starts review of council districts, which must be roughly equal in population. Committee has 210 days to adopt new boundaries.

, DataTimes