Bonds Would Fix Parks, Help Firefighters City Council Tentatively Agrees To Put $36 Million Request To The Voters
Voters likely will be asked in September to approve $36 million in bonds to pay for new equipment for the Fire Department and improvements to city parks.
But voters probably won’t be asked this fall to approve any new funding to fix city streets, one of Mayor John Talbott’s priorities.
During a workshop Tuesday afternoon, the City Council agreed to put bond measures for the Parks and Recreation Department and the Fire Department on the September ballot.
The council will take final action on the proposed ballot measures sometime in the next few weeks.
The two measures together would cost $52 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home.
Ange Taylor, director of parks and recreation, has asked for $15 million.
Half the money, about $7.6 million, would be used to improve neighborhood parks throughout the city, including repairing six swimming pools, renovating tennis courts and replacing equipment at 27 playgrounds.
About $3 million would be used to move the department to a remodeled building at the old Long Lake Lumber site in the Garry Park neighborhood.
The rest of the money would be used to acquire parkland. About $4 million would be used to buy property for the proposed north bank expansion of Riverfront Park.
Councilwoman Cherie Rodgers wants the park bond measure to be placed on the ballot as two separate issues, one for park maintenance, the other for buying parkland. Then voters could choose to vote for one and not the other.
Spokane Fire Chief Bobby Williams requested $21.3 million to buy fire engines and trucks, remodel fire stations, replace the dispatch center and participate in construction of the Spokane Joint Public Safety Training Center, a combined state, federal and local effort.
Although the Police Department and the Opera House also have asked for money, only the parks and fire department measures were suggested for the September ballot.
City police have asked for $15 million for a new building, upgraded property room, firing range and communications equipment.
The city is hoping to join with the county on a joint public safety bond, but Spokane County commissioners don’t appear to be in a rush to put that measure on the ballot this year.
During Tuesday’s session, Talbott pushed to put a bond measure for city streets on the ballot, along with other ideas to raise money for street maintenance and repairs.
Talbott specifically suggested imposing a business and occupation tax to fix streets. The tax would end after six years, he said.
The mayor also suggested changing the city charter to require that an extra 6 percent of the general fund be allotted for street repair each year.
Both the tax and the charter change met with opposition from other council members.
Councilman Jeff Colliton asked Talbott what he planned to cut from the city’s already tight budget to find the extra money for streets.
Councilwoman Roberta Greene said the business and occupation tax would chase away businesses and ultimately cost the city more in lost sales tax revenue.
Some council members suggested waiting until spring to see if state money for road improvements becomes available.
Other council members agreed to meet with neighborhoods to discuss more specific details about street improvements and repairs.
The city’s Transportation Department has asked for about $30 million to make a dent in the backlog of $96 million worth of needed repairs to residential streets and arterials.
City Manager Bill Pupo said no other cities in Eastern Washington have a business and occupation tax.
Talbott has long opposed bond measures, a gas tax and other city proposals to raise money to fix streets. He worked to defeat such proposals in the past, insisting that the city could find the money in its current budget.
Tuesday he noted that while he still believes the city can tighten its belt a little more, the amount of money needed to fix the streets isn’t there.
“The alternative sources of revenue we have are limited,” he said.