Chamber Endorses City-County Merger New Government Would Draw New Leaders, President Believes

Consolidating Spokane’s city and county governments would improve accountability and encourage good leaders to step forward, the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce contends.

The chamber’s board of trustees voted Monday to endorse the proposed city-county charter that will be put before voters on Nov. 7.

The endorsement comes after several months of study and visits to other communities that have combined their governments.

“Our business members want us to work for a more unified, accountable government,” said Rich Hadley, chamber president.

A chamber group visited Indianapolis, which has operated under a unified city and county government for about 25 years, and Charlotte, N.C., which combined its administrative agencies without merging its elective offices.

That trip, combined with detailed studies of the charter proposed by a majority of the freeholders, led the chamber to conclude the proposed charter is the best option for the region, Hadley said.

But the charter change would only be the first step, he added.

“A unified government, if it is adopted, is a mechanism,” Hadley said. To be successful, Spokane would need new leadership.

“In a transition, we believe we would see more people rise to the challenge of government,” he said. “They might welcome the chance to be in on the ground floor of a new government.”

The chamber, which is one of the main voices for Spokane’s business community, already has begun offering a “Practical Politics Course” to its members who are interested in government. The session provides information on government structure and political campaigning.

The endorsement does not come with financial support. But the chamber will sponsor a special forum on consolidation at its monthly “Good Morning Spokane” breakfast meeting on Oct. 13.

Opponents of consolidation will be allowed to present contrary views at the forum, Hadley said.

, DataTimes