Condon touts city’s progress in annual address to City Council

Mayor David Condon will no longer be at the helm of the city come January, but he’s hoping his ideas live on.

In his annual Statement of Conditions and Affairs at City Hall on Monday, Condon championed the city’s One Spokane strategic plan, which lays the course for the city’s growth and betterment in the years ahead.

Condon recalled the adoption, in 2001, of the city’s 20-year Comprehensive Plan. Though that plan remains in effect, Condon said the One Spokane strategic plan his administration adopted, with support from the City Council, allows the city to be “flexible and ready to shift with the changing tides of innovation.”

“We have aligned the One Spokane plan to build upon the Comprehensive Plan guidelines – to be the safest city of our size, an innovative leader in cost-effective service delivery, and unequaled in living, learning and leisure,” Condon said.

The mayor, who is obligated under the City Charter to give the Statement of Conditions and Affairs, highlighted progress the city has made toward the strategic plan’s goals in the last year.

“As you can see, median household income is up, there is livable-wage job growth, and property values are increasing. This is good news,” Condon said.

In the realm of public safety, that included a yearly decrease in vehicle theft of 7% and decrease in residential burglaries by 11%, while both uses of force by police and citizen complaints also dropped.

Condon also lauded the launch of the Spokane Resource Center, which connects residents to a variety of social services and programs.

Meanwhile, the city has seen progress on a project that will improve wastewater treatment at its water reclamation facility, with the goal of sending cleaner water into the Spokane River.

Riverfront Park has undergone substantial renovation, including the opening of a new U.S. Pavilion.

“I say with confidence that we have built a legacy in Riverfront Park which will serve residents and visitors for generations to come,” Condon said.

Condon touted the city’s fiscal health and plans for the 2020 operational budget, which his administration plans to introduce to the City Council by Nov. 1. The budget projects increases in revenue of 2.8%, and will keep expenses within that margin, Condon said.

Water, sewer and garbage rates are projected to increase by 2.9% next year.

“The condition of the city is stable, and we remain optimistic about our future. Through strict adherence to our budget principles, we have maintained significant financial stability at the city over the last several years,” Condon said. “However, this balance must not be taken for granted, and we recommend caution and vigilance to ensure the future financial health of our city.”