Spokane County Commissioners Packed Agenda: Housing Plan, $13.7M Disability Services Grant, and Data Center Moratorium Ahead
Spokane County commissioners covered a wide range of topics in recent meetings, from long-range housing allocations to multi-million-dollar service grants. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the July sessions, so the items below reflect what was on the agendas for discussion and consideration — not confirmed final actions.
July 14: Housing Allocations and $13.7M Grant Discussed
The Board's July 14 briefing included a proposed housing allocation plan for Spokane County jurisdictions covering 2026 through 2046, tied to the ongoing Comprehensive Plan 2046 process. Commissioners also reviewed a $13,758,184 grant from DSHS for Developmental Disability Services.
Other items on the agenda included contracts for Juvenile Court Services: $90,000 with Synergy Counseling, $150,000 with Relational Roots Therapy, and $11,000 with Lutheran Community Services Northwest. A $10,000 grant from Rails to Trails Conservancy for the Argonne Gap in the Centennial Trail project was also listed.
Public hearings were proposed for August 11 to establish several new county roads, including Chatham Avenue and Molly Street.
July 14: Airport Property, Fire Recovery, and Fair Pricing
A separate July 14 session included briefings from Spokane International Airport on the Tobler and Kern property acquisitions. Commissioners also discussed proposed traffic code revisions to add stop signs at Green Bluff Drive and Halliday Road, special demolition permit application fees for Upriver Fire victims, 2026 Spokane County Interstate Fair ticket and parking prices, and Home Electrification & Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program awards and contracts.
July 7: Court Award, Code Changes, and Housing Grants
On July 7, the agenda included a Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Plan Award for 2026–2027 totaling $107,965.00, a Spokane Conservation District rates and charges proposal, and proposed modifications to Spokane County Code Chapter 1.08 regarding the Department of Emergency Management.
Also listed were grant and regulatory agreements for Riverwalk Point II (HOME) and Broadway Seniors (HOME-ARP), and an item to rescind the second amendment related to the Beacon Hill Phase 2 Project Management.
July 7: Speed Zones, Software Contract, and Public Safety Grants
A second July 7 meeting featured public hearings on speed zone revisions for Craig Road, Hastings Road, Elk Camden Road, and Old Trails Road, plus a proposed road name change from Inland Road to Old Trails Road.
Financial items included a contract with Harris Recording Solutions, Inc. for Auditor's Office software: $421,392 for 2026, $151,800 for 2027, and $133,574 for 2028. Also on the agenda: $727,000 in financial assistance for Detention Services Crisis Intervention Specialist Program, and a $117,000 DHS Operation Stonegarden Grant for the Emergency Management Department.
July 6: Strategic Planning on Housing and Comprehensive Plan
The Board's July 6 strategic planning session covered 2026 housing allocations by jurisdiction, the Environmental Impact Statement Preferred Alternative for Comprehensive Plan 2046, a resolution and bylaws for the Essential Public Facility Committee, and a public safety and health revenue discussion.
Coming Up
July 20 — Commissioners will hear a sales tax update, a 2026 financial update, and a 2027 budget discussion from the Director of Finance, followed by a 90- to 120-minute Comprehensive Plan 2046 worksession led by the Planning Director. Possible executive-session topics on real-estate transactions and contract negotiations are listed, with no final actions scheduled.
July 21 — A briefing meeting will include a proposed moratorium on large load data centers presented by Commissioners Chris Jordan and Amber Waldref, a broadband PDA update, and additional funding for the West Plains PDA. A second session that day will consider accepting a $941,297.08 grant from the Washington State Office of Public Defense for public defender services and a $45,507 HIDTA task force award, plus a public hearing on 20 mph school speed zones on Pittsburg Street and Farwell Road.