City of Millwood gets official
MILLWOOD – Millwood will officially become a city on Wednesday, leaving behind the town designation it has carried for the last 80 years and gaining new powers that officials say afford more flexibility than the old form of government.
The Council voted in December to adopt the classification of non-charter code city, starting a 90-day period during which residents had a chance to oppose the change. The new city classification retains the mayor-council form of government but adopts all the powers afforded to cities under state law. The primary difference is the flexibility with which the government operates, officials said, adding that the town government is more limiting.
The new city plans to celebrate, and Mayor Dan Mork announced the Spokane Chamber of Commerce plans to hold a luncheon marking the event in April. A date has not been set.
Public safety
Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke, Spokane Valley Police Chief Rick VanLeuven and Spokane Valley Fire Chief Mike Thompson presented to Council “The Challenge to the Public Safety Communication Systems in the Spokane Region.” The presentation featured information on the emergency communication system in the Spokane region.
The trio outlined the current system’s shortcomings, including radio dead spots, outdated equipment and overloading 911 emergency systems after 7 p.m.
“We have people calling 911 when it’s not the top-tier priority,” Mielke said. “We are getting more and more people calling after hours, and it’s overloading the system.”
Acquiring new emergency communication equipment, restoring the Crime Check program and building a new digital radio network are the proposed improvements. The latter comes as an FCC requirement for all emergency agencies to convert to digital by 2012.
The estimated cost for the new system is more than $40 million. The long-term funding solution is a proposed 1/10 of 1 percent sales tax used solely for emergency communication systems and facilities, with a 10-year sunset clause. The county plans to have this issue on the May 20 ballot.
The Council voted unanimously to support the proposal.
Another issue to go before voters later this year on the November ballot is the bond for a new correction facility. Sgt. Aaron Anderton from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office presented plans to Council.
The proposed facility is needed to house inmates currently held at Geiger Correction Center, as its lease expires in 2013.
The county hopes the new facility alleviates overcrowding in the Spokane County Jail and Geiger facilities, which average 1,170 inmates daily. The combined maximum capacity for the facilities is 1,285 inmates.
Ten potential sites are being evaluated. Anderton said the final location should be selected by April.
Vacant Council seat
Councilman Doug Morton announced they are still reviewing applicants for the Council seat vacated last year by Joyce Kiphart. The city received five applicants for the position. The Council must fill the position before the end of March.