Panel OKs bill to expand Spokane County commission to 5

OLYMPIA – A bill that would require Spokane County to expand its board of commissioners to five members passed a key House committee Wednesday.

The bill, sponsored by the six House members who represent districts contained within the county, would set up a system for appointing a commission to draw five equal commissioner districts after the results of the 2020 census are available. The new commissioners would be elected in the 2022 election.

Supporters say Spokane County is so large it needs a bigger board of commissioners, who should be elected solely by their district. Under the current system, commissioners run in their district in the primary, but countywide in the general election.

Opponents say it’s an unnecessary expense to add two commissioners and the staff they would need, and county voters already rejected a ballot measure to expand the board.

The House State Government Committee approved the bill unanimously, sending it to the full House for a vote.