More Incorporation Signatures Needed

Sat., Dec. 16, 2000

By Lorie Hutson lorieh@spokesman.com (509) 459-5446

They hoped it could be their Christmas present to the Spokane Valley. Now, incorporation backers are expecting it to take until the end of January to collect the signatures needed to put the city of Spokane Valley on the ballot.

Ed Mertens, a leader in the incorporation effort, said this week the group has collected about 800 signatures. It needs 4,300 to place incorporation before voters.

But there are still 200 outstanding petitions that could have about 20 signatures on each sheet, he added. Volunteers are circulating the petitions, gathering signatures at grocery stores and malls, and some petitions have been left at businesses in the Valley for signatures.

The petition drive started in September.

“I was dreaming that we could get it done by December,” Mertens said.

Backers slowed their efforts during the 2000 campaign season and people can’t volunteer a lot of time around the holidays, he added.

To bring the new city to a vote next year, proponents must collect the signatures of 10 percent of the registered voters in the proposed city limits. The three groups behind the effort - the governance committee of the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Spokane Valley Business Association and the Community Action Committee - have until March 9 to turn the signatures in to the Spokane County auditor.

County officials recommended collecting double the signatures required. That means the group will aim to turn in about 8,600 signatures to make sure the petition is accepted. Auditor Vicky Dalton said an average of 40 percent of the signatures on petitions her office receives are invalid or duplications.

A handful of volunteers will be at the Spokane Valley Mall for the rest of the holiday shopping season to answer questions about the effort to form a city and ask residents to sign the petition.

“I think the next two or three weeks will be important for us,” Mertens said.

After city backers turn in their petitions, the Boundary Review Board for Spokane County will put the finishing touches on a report on the incorporation. It will include a review of the proposed city’s budget and the effects it could have on Spokane County.

Although city backers haven’t reached their self-imposed goal, Mertens said he’s not concerned yet that they will miss the deadline.

“Not a bit,” he said. “The enthusiasm is out there, and that is what is going to push this thing.”

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