Park bond watchdogs have duties clarified

The duties of a group that will act as a watchdog for money the city will get if voters approve a bond measure in November was simplified Monday by the Spokane City Council.

The city is asking voters to support a $43 million bond measure to pay for new pools, a new park near Joe Albi Stadium and other items. The council formed the Parks Bond Citizens Advisory Committee last week as a way to provide citizens assurance that money raised by new taxes will be spent wisely. But the idea for the group barely passed on a 4-3 vote after a long debate.

On Monday, the new version of the advisory committee passed unanimously. The council eliminated several functions that required the committee to assist the parks department to decide how the bond money would be used and other bond matters.

The change means the advisory group will analyze the decisions of the parks department as opposed to helping the parks department form policy.

Councilman Al French, who proposed the changes, said the new language allows it to be an independent observer when it presents its findings to City Council.