I love when regional events happen like the Regional Council of Governments on Wednesday so folks from across jurisdictions can connect. 💙 We are stronger together.

#SpokaneCounty #CheneyWA #Spokane #PublicServants

Attended the Regional Council of Governments Community Conversation Wed. Great to get an update from the Safe & Healthy #Spokane Task Force on how they are doing creating a recommendation on upgrades and/or replacements to our #SpokaneCounty Jail & correctional facilities.

#CheneyWA #PublicSafety

Toured the Geiger Correctional Facility, #SpokaneCounty Jail, & Pioneer Human Services' regional stabilization center on Tue. Thank you Greater #Spokane Incorporated for organizing, and to the folks working in these facilities for taking the time to share with us.

#CheneyWA #PublicSafety

Spokane County proposes agritourism rules; staff recommends conditional use permits to protect farmland County planning staff proposed allowing agritourism on actively operated farms with safeguards — including conditional use permits, public hearings and criteria to prevent loss of agricultural productivity — and invited comments on thresholds and conditions.

Spokane County is gearing up to boost agritourism while safeguarding its farmland with new policies—could this be the future of farming in your area?

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CommunityEngagement #FarmProtection #CitizenPortal #AgritourismPolicies

Spokane County planning presents regional economic development strategy and timeline, invites public input Spokane County Planning presented a regional economic development approach that builds on Greater Spokane Inc.'s 2022 SEDS, identifies target areas (including the West Plains and North Spokane corridor), emphasizes workforce partnerships and placemaking, and outlined a schedule toward Board adoption in December 2026.

Spokane County is gearing up for a transformative economic development strategy that promises to redefine growth and connectivity across the region!

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #RegionalPlanning #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #WorkforcePartnerships

County communications recommends $15,950 DotAccess purchase to meet DOJ WCAG 2.1 deadline Communications staff said Spokane County must meet Department of Justice WCAG 2.1 accessibility requirements in April and recommended a one-time purchase of DotAccess (acquired by Civic Plus) to remediate documents; staff reported a negotiated first-year price of about $15,950 and asked for approval to proceed and for IT to manage renewals.

Spokane County is racing against the clock to meet a crucial DOJ deadline, needing to overhaul 18,000 documents for accessibility—will they secure the $15,950 tool to make it happen?

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #PublicInnovation #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccessibility #CivicTechnology

County lobbyist: state budgets largely protect local services; sobering center gets $733,000 in senate capital list Spokane County lobbyist Mike Burgess told commissioners the two chambers’ budgets preserved key local programs: Joya funding was maintained, BECA received partial backfill and the senate capital budget included $733,000 for a county sobering center. Burgess said several other county-priority projects were not funded in this supplemental year.

Spokane County's budget is shaping up to protect vital human services and secure funding for a much-needed sobering center, but key negotiations are still underway!

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalPolicy #HumanServices #BudgetAllocation

Spokane briefing: county asked to proceed with DSHS-funded jail behavioral-health pilot to speed competency restoration Sheriff's Office staff described a DSHS-funded pilot to embed clinical intervention specialists and other state-funded behavioral-health positions in the county jail to serve competency-restoration ("Trueblood") patients. The county would provide two supervisory positions; the state would fund clinicians. Commissioners asked contract and bed-day questions; staff requested approval to complete contract steps.

A groundbreaking pilot program aims to embed state-funded mental health professionals in Spokane County jail, promising to enhance treatment for individuals awaiting competency restoration at no cost to the county.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #CompetencyRestoration

Spokane County briefing: drug-involved fatalities plateauing but remain high, presenter says A county public-health presenter summarized provisional data showing 344 drug-involved fatalities as of Feb. 3 and 329 accidental overdose deaths in 2025 versus 333 in 2024; 73% of accidental deaths involved mixed drugs, most often fentanyl and methamphetamine, and most fatalities occurred in private residences.

Spokane County is grappling with a staggering 344 drug-involved fatalities as accidental overdose deaths show a troubling plateau, with fentanyl and methamphetamine leading the mix.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CivicAccountability #DrugOverdose #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal

^^^Ping alert for awareness. Some locations are not in the list, but are mentioned further down in the story. #SpokaneCounty #WA #CarsonCity #NV #SeminoleCounty #FL #Lubbock #TX #Homewood #AL #GrandRapids #MI

Commissioners debate timing and language of regional "Treatment First" MOU A commissioner asked that a regional Treatment First MOU be placed on next week's consent agenda; other commissioners urged broader stakeholder review, raised concerns about specific language (the use of 'foundation' in objectives), and noted potential legal and coordination issues with concurrent task-force work and pending litigation related to federal policy.

Spokane County commissioners are at a crossroads over a regional "Treatment First" MOU, with tensions rising around its language and potential legal implications.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #BehavioralHealth #CitizenPortal #HomelessnessResponse #CommunityCoordination

Private conveners outline Safe and Healthy Spokane Task Force, aim for May recommendations A community-led task force convened by private partners presented an asset assessment and four advisory committees focused on prevention, custody strategies, reentry and facilities, with 54–56 recommendations and a May delivery target; presenters emphasized early wins, community engagement and a role for county commissioners in prioritization.

Spokane County is on the brink of transformative change as the Safe and Healthy Spokane Task Force unveils 54-56 critical recommendations aimed at revolutionizing behavioral health and public safety systems.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CommunityEngagement #BehavioralHealth

Spokane County briefed on key state bills as House-of-origin cutoff arrives County staff told commissioners the Feb. 17 house-of-origin cutoff makes several pending state bills time-sensitive. Presenters highlighted a revenue forecast that increased available funds, a millionaire's income-tax bill with a sales-tax repeal amendment that could hit local revenue, and bills affecting cultural-resource consultation, data-center tax exemptions and public camping rules.

Spokane County is bracing for major budget changes as a new revenue forecast offers hope, but potential tax reforms and cultural resource protections could reshape the local landscape.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #AffordableHousing #CulturalResourceProtection

Spokane County appoints two non-elected members to regional health board; recent elected member temporarily steps aside County commissioners approved two non-elected appointments to the Spokane Regional Health District Board of Health and included language that the most recently seated elected member would temporarily step down until a third non-elected appointment is made; the measure passed 3–1 with one abstention.

Spokane County has taken a bold step by appointing two non-elected members to the health board, but the latest elected representative will temporarily step aside—what's the story behind this decision?

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #PublicHealth #LocalGovernance #CitizenPortal

Planning staff briefs commission on recent state housing laws and raises questions about HAPT allocations County planning staff reviewed several new state housing statutes affecting ADUs, parking and density and flagged concerns about the HAPT allocation's opaque methodology that shifted housing allocations between the county and city of Spokane.

Spokane County is grappling with new state housing laws that could reshape local codes and housing allocations, sparking a debate on transparency and community impact.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CommunityTransparency #SpokaneCountyHousing #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning #HousingPolicy

Public commenters and elected officials question county housing‑allocation method tied to Commerce model Public commenters, builders and elected officials on Feb. 11 pressed county staff over large allocation shifts produced by the HAP/HAPT tool and said Commerce’s proprietary formulas were not available for review; staff said using Commerce guidance is necessary for Growth Management Act compliance.

Public outrage brews as significant changes in housing allocations raise concerns over growth, infrastructure, and wildfire risks in Spokane County.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #InfrastructurePlanning #CitizenPortal #PublicParticipation #HousingAllocation

Steering committee authorizes task force to explore countywide homeownership goal The steering committee voted 8–2 on Feb. 11 to create a task force to draft countywide policy language recommending a target for housing available for ownership; supporters framed it as a discussion step, opponents warned of timing and unintended consequences for allocations.

A new task force is set to tackle homeownership disparities in Spokane County, aiming for a bold 70% ownership target—will this pave the way for more equitable housing opportunities?

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #HousingAccess #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment

County staff recommend accepting $40,000 FEMA subgrant via DNR to create fuels-reduction plans for conservation sites Staff recommended Spokane County accept a $40,000 FEMA subgrant (administered through the Department of Natural Resources) to prepare fuels-reduction plans for four Conservation Futures properties, noting potential phase 2 implementation funding of about $400,000 and concerns about FEMA documentation and reimbursement requirements.

Spokane County is set to receive a $40,000 FEMA grant to enhance fire safety and conservation efforts across four key properties, but challenges may loom in the reimbursement process.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #GrantManagement #EnvironmentalSustainability #CitizenPortal

Spokane County briefed on state budget timing, public-defense fund and juvenile-sentencing bill County legislative staff told commissioners the state budget will be released later this month, reported an income-tax proposal now would dedicate 7% (up from 5%) of revenue to a public-defense fund under a revised distribution formula, and warned a juvenile-sentencing bill ("23.89") could shift millions in costs to counties.

Spokane County could face significant budget shifts as new state bills on public defense funding and juvenile sentencing loom on the horizon.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #JuvenileJustice #LocalInfrastructure #PublicDefense

County attorney presents agreement for deputy public defenders to cover Cheney first appearances Colin Charbonneau described a proposed agreement for deputy public defenders to attend Cheney district court first appearances (estimated ~80 per year) to advise on probable cause and release conditions; the arrangement is hourly, renewable annually and will be placed on next Tuesday’s consent agenda.

Cheney district court is set to change the game for defendants by ensuring they have legal representation at critical first appearances—could this be the breakthrough justice needs?

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #CourtAccess #DueProcess #SpokaneCountyPublicDefenders

Spokane County seeks $25 million federal BUILD grant for Argonne Road corridor improvements County staff presented a $40M Argonne Road multimodal safety project and will request $25M from USDOT’s BUILD program; $7M in match is secured, $7.8M remains unsecured and would be pursued through future grants if the BUILD award is not fully covering.

Spokane County is pushing for a $25 million federal grant to kickstart a transformative $40 million project that promises to enhance safety and mobility along the crucial Argonne Road corridor.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #InfrastructureImprovement #CitizenPortal #TransportationSafety

Spokane District Court outlines mental-health court as treatment-focused alternative; referral line provided Jeff Smith, who presides over therapeutic courts in Spokane District Court, described the court's mental health program, its five-phase structure, typical 14–24 month timeline, available support services and a referral phone line. He said grant funding covers testing and monitoring and sometimes treatment.

Discover how Spokane's therapeutic court is transforming lives by prioritizing mental health treatment over traditional prosecution.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CivicSupportServices #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthTreatment #SubstanceUseRecovery

Spokane County commissioner urges state fix for Maddie’s Place, warns of public‑health funding cuts In a monthly update, Spokane County Commissioner Amber Waldrep said she lobbied in Olympia for a Medicaid change to support Maddie's Place, expressed concern that proposed state cuts could strip "millions" from the Spokane Regional Health District, and said she sponsored two resolutions urging the state to keep funding essential public‑health services.

Spokane County Commissioner Amber Waldrep is rallying for crucial Medicaid changes to support Maddie's Place while sounding the alarm on potential public health funding cuts that could devastate local services.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #MedicaidSupport

Spokane County commissioner urges state to keep public health funding; two resolutions pass unanimously Commissioner Amber Waldrep said she introduced two unanimous resolutions urging the state to maintain public health funding amid proposals that could cut "millions" from the Spokane Regional Health District, potentially reducing programs and services that protect community health.

Spokane County's Commissioner Amber Waldrep is sounding the alarm over potential cuts to public health funding that could jeopardize vital services in our community.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CivicAccountability #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #CommunityWellness

Spokane County commissioners unanimously back resolution urging state to protect public health funding The Spokane County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a consent-agenda motion that included a resolution urging the state to avoid cuts to foundational public health services funding, citing potential impacts to the Spokane Regional Health District.

Spokane County commissioners stand united, urging the state to protect vital public health funding that could impact the entire region!

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #FundingProtect #CommunityWellbeing

Spokane County hears Olympia update; commissioners oppose state preemption on public camping, weigh public-health cuts County lobbyist Mike Burgess briefed commissioners on session cutoffs and multiple bills, including a proposed income tax revenue share for public defense, a public-camping preemption bill that would curb local control, and pending waste-to-energy emission targets; county staff will follow up before committee hearings.

Spokane County faces crucial decisions as lawmakers push bills that could reshape local authority and budgets, including a controversial income tax proposal for public defense funding.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalPolicy #LocalControl #PublicDefense

Senator pushes tax‑incentive changes to spur affordable housing, cites Nova Hillyard support Raccelli described a bill to revise a housing tax incentive — lowering an affordable‑unit threshold and allowing underused land to qualify — and voiced support for the Nova Hilliard childcare‑housing project near the North‑South Corridor.

State Sen. Marcus Raccelli is spearheading a bold initiative to revamp housing tax incentives, aiming to transform vacant land into thriving communities with affordable housing and childcare options.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #AffordableHousing #CitizenPortal #UrbanDevelopment

County hears nonbinding MOU endorsing 'treatment‑first' approach to homelessness; commissioners discuss integration with housing programs Community leaders and county officials presented a nonbinding memorandum of understanding that signals support for an accountability/treatment‑first approach to homelessness and to align with federal HUD priorities. Presenters said it makes no funding commitments; commissioners asked for more data and emphasized integrating treatment with rapid housing and wraparound services.

Spokane County leaders are rallying behind a new MOU that promotes a treatment-first strategy for homelessness, aiming to align local policies with federal support for accountability and care.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #HousingIntegration #HomelessnessAccountability

Law & Justice Council hears Capstone dashboard interest, supported-release stats and MAT rollout plan Council members heard that Capstone dashboards have attracted interest from judges and prosecutors; pretrial services reported about 500 supported-release enrollments since relaunch and high self-reported engagement; a MAT provider was named with a possible March start if funding holds.

Spokane's Law & Justice Council is making strides with innovative dashboards and impressive pretrial service stats, but what does the future hold for treatment and funding?

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CommunitySupport #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #JudicialTransparency

Prosecutor outlines pre-file diversion pilot to route eligible felony arrestees to community services Spokane-area prosecutors proposed a voluntary pre-file diversion program for eligible nonviolent felony arrestees that would offer a six-month community-services engagement and, if conditions are met, the prosecutor’s office will not file charges. The program would start small and rely on court and jail coordination.

A groundbreaking pre-file diversion program in Spokane could offer nonviolent felony arrestees a chance to avoid charges by engaging with community services for six months.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CriminalJusticeReform #EarlyIntervention #CitizenPortal #CommunityServices