Proposed Cities On Ballot Today

Some Spokane Valley residents are being asked to vote today on a familiar issue: forming a city, or in this case, two cities.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for registered voters within the proposed cities of Evergreen and Opportunity.

Each proposal requires a simple majority to pass, and no minimum turnout is required.

Evergreen, a proposed 8-square-mile city of about 15,000, would be bounded by the Spokane River on the north, 24th Avenue on the south, Evergreen Road on the west and Barker Road on the east.

Opportunity, a proposed city of 6 square miles, would be bounded by Interstate 90, 16th Avenue on the south, Argonne Road on the west and Barker Road on the east. About 19,000 people would call Opportunity home.

Vivienne Latimer, a semi-retired paralegal, is pushing the city of Evergreen. Ed Meadows, a 68-year-old retired airline inspector, is Opportunity’s chief proponent.

Proponents claim incorporating the cities will give residents of each a voice in local government and assure their tax money is spent in the Valley.

Opponents have said the proposed cities lack detailed cost information and are likely to have a budget shortfall.

, DataTimes