Spokane Valley Council Notes: November 25, 2025

This week’s Spokane Valley City Council meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and approval of the meeting agenda.

PROCLAMATION
Mayor Haley read a proclamation for Small Business Saturday, which was accepted by Lance Beck, President and CEO of Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.

MAYOR STATEMENT
Mayor Haley made a statement regarding a recent controversial statement Councilmember Yaeger made on her personal social media page. The Mayor read Resolution 17-008, affirming the city as an inclusive city where all are welcome and discrimination is not tolerated. Councilmembers then reached consensus to reaffirm this resolution, which was first adopted in 2017. 

General Public Comments
Each week, community members have an opportunity to address Councilmembers during the General Public Comment period, either at the beginning or end of each meeting either in person or via Zoom.

ACTION ITEMS
#1 – Consent Agenda
The Council unanimously approved the consent agenda. Prior to the vote, Councilmember Merkel requested edits to the Oct. 28 meeting minutes, so that item was pulled for future consideration. The remaining meeting minutes from the Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21, and Nov. 5, 2025, meetings, as well as vouchers for paying city expenses and payroll were approved.

#2 – Public Hearing #3: Final 2026 Budget
This is the seventh public discussion of the draft 2026 budget and the third and final public hearing to attain community member input. Staff provided an overview of sales tax revenue estimates, capital expenditures, recurring and non-recurring expenditures, major revenues for the general fund and other funds, and budget challenges. The Council will be asked to approve the budget on Dec. 9, 2025. Members of the public were invited to share comments about the draft budget.   

#3 – Homeless Outreach Contract Amendment
The Frontier Behavioral Health (FBH) outreach contract from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027, funds outreach, case management, referrals and collaboration with city staff and law enforcement. To address barriers for those seeking treatment or shelter, Spokanimal will provide extended pet boarding. Staff reviewed the agreement terms. Outreach services help clients find long-term housing and cover related costs. From July 2024–June 2025, FBH used a $100,000 grant to help secure housing; for July 2025–June 2026, this grant drops to just over $70,000. About 80% of previous funds served Spokane Valley, housing 37 households permanently and 20 in Transitional Housing. An additional $30,000 is likely needed to assist Spokane Valley clients. On Sept. 25, 2025, the city’s Homeless Housing Task Force unanimously voted to recommend allocating an additional $50,000 to FBH for homeless outreach services, specifically to cover costs for animal boarding and housing-related expenses for clients.
A motion to approve the Homeless Outreach contract amendment with Frontier Behavioral Health for $50,000 was approved with 6 votes in favor and 1 opposed.

#4 – Retail Theft Emphasis
The City Council Public Safety Committee determined that with upcoming holidays and increase in number of people shopping and patronizing retail businesses, it would be beneficial to enhance and focus police resources towards retail theft through the holidays. Spokane Valley Police Chief Ellis spoke about past retail emphasis work and how it could be enhanced. This is typically done by directing additional police patrols and emphasis operations through overtime. Staff discussed financial implications and options for additional funding.
A motion to approve to support additional overtime for enhancing retail theft emphasis was approved unanimously.

NON-ACTION ITEMS
#5 – Safe and Healthy Spokane Regional Task Force Update
On Oct. 21, 2025, the Council gave consensus for city participation on the Safe and Healthy Spokane Regional Task Force, which is a community-led initiative to enhance public safety and support behavioral health throughout Spokane County. Staff provided a summary of the most recent Task Force meetings, which included a two-day review of a “sequential intercept model”. During the assessment, several needs and opportunities were identified, and 17 immediate priorities were identified. Additional updates will be provided to Council after future Task Force meetings.

#6 – The Course Fees Discussion
The City contracted with Sports Facilities Advisory (SFA) to determine fair market value rates for organizations using The Course. SFA recommends a hybrid pricing structure that includes a base daily rental fee plus a participant fee tied to the number of runners in each event. Examples of recommended fees and potential 2026 course rental revenues were provided. Other considerations, such as fees for local organizations, team practices, food vendors, deposits required, etc., were discussed. The Council reached consensus to add the recommended fees to the 2026 Master Fee Schedule. The Council will be asked to approve the 2026 Master Fee Schedule in December.

INFORMATION ONLY
#7 – Monthly Department Reports:
• Public Works Department Monthly Reports: August, September
• Community Development Report
• Spokane Valley Police Department Report
• Spokane Valley Fire Department Report

About Spokane Valley City Council
City Council meetings occur most Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at Spokane Valley City Hall, 10210 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, and online via Zoom. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Agendas. Community members are invited to attend Council meetings to participate in action items or public comment periods in-person or online. Council meetings are broadcast on Comcast channel 14. Councilmembers are Mayor Pam Haley, Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg, Councilmember Rod Higgins, Councilmember Jessica Yaeger, Councilmember Al Merkel, Councilmember Ben Wick and Councilmember Laura Padden. Email the Council at CityCouncil@SpokaneValleyWA.gov or learn more at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/CityCouncil.

Stay Connected
Spokane Valley City Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information is available online at SpokaneValleyWA.gov. Sign up to receive email updates about the topics that matter to you most at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/SignUp or follow the city on social media.