County may keep planning panelist on board

Spokane County commissioners might bend their rules to keep an experienced planning board member in service.

Doug Kelley, 52, who has been on the planning board for six years, appears likely to be reappointed to a full five-year term even though county rules say appointees shouldn’t serve more than eight years.

The county’s term-limit policy allows commissioners to override the rule.

Commissioner Todd Mielke said that with so much recent turnover, it’s important to keep an experienced member like Kelley in place.

Peter Ice, who was appointed to the commission last year, said Kelley adds important insight that newer members don’t have.

“He’s one of the people who really add something to the board,” Ice said.

“As a newcomer, you walk in there, and you don’t know what you’re going into totally.”

Kelley, an Avista regional account executive, has been no rubberstamp to county commissioners.

He was critical of them last year for not filling openings on the board in a timely manner.

He’s also opposed some development proposals – later approved by the County Commission – on grounds that they violated state growth law.

Besides Kelley’s seat, commissioners are searching for a replacement for Patrick Kennedy, who resigned in October citing health concerns.

Officials say they hope the next appointment can bring some diversity to the board, which currently is made up of all men.

Mielke said no one responded to an ad about the opening, which is reserved for a resident of Mielke’s district.

State rules on planning boards say the commission should include at least two members from each county commissioner’s district.

However, the northern portion of the county became underrepresented last year when Mielke appointed Ice to the board even though Ice lives outside Mielke’s district.