SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane City Council members were expected to vote on a contract extension with the Salvation Army during Monday night's meeting, but decided to wait until a special meeting on Dec. 14. The Salvation Army says it will need nearly $4 million to keep the Trent shelter open through April.
$3.2 million to pay for costs, food, laundry and other services, and $730,000 to cover Salvation Army going over budget this year. Council members aren't happy with the price tag, and Council President Betsy Wilkerson said last month it's more than the city can really afford.
On Monday night, council members passed a resolution to place a park improvement levy on the August ballot. The levy proposes an increase in regular property taxes by 29 cents per one thousand of assessed value beginning in 2025 and for the next 20 years.
If approved by voters, the levy would generate roughly $11 million annually to fund park renovations, improvements and pay for additional park rangers and maintenance staff.
"They want to be out in the parks this summer to really let the citizens know what's coming to their neighborhoods," Wilkerson said.
In addition, council members saluted Karen Stratton and her service to the city. Stratton has been on the council since 2014 and will finish her term at the end of the year.
"I hope that I will be remembered as somebody that stood up for our employees, for people in my district and for somebody that truly believes we can get a lot more done without the politics in the room," Stratton said.
This was the last regularly scheduled meeting of the year. Council will hold a special meeting on Dec. 14 and is expected to make a decision regarding the Trent shelter.
DOWNLOAD THE KREM SMARTPHONE APP
DOWNLOAD FOR IPHONE HERE | DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID HERE
HOW TO ADD THE KREM+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KREM in the Channel Store.
Fire TV: search for "KREM" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email webspokane@krem.com.