Spokane County

City of Spokane Measure 1 would institute a library operations levy to continue funding regular services that serve the entire city.

Libraries are places where we can all come together -- regardless of background -- in a safe, warm place to find jobs, access educational materials, research a project, learn a language, connect to health resources, socialize with peers, or use a computer. When our libraries are strong, our communities are strong.

Measure 1 asks voters to renew the library operations levy, which makes up about 18 percent of the library system's budget. The three-year levy would continue the authorization of a property tax increase by $0.07 per $1,000 of assessed value. This would cost the owner of a $350,000 home about $25 a year. Since 2013, voters have approved this rate to continue offering quality library services to the community. Without the levy, library branches will not be able to remain open seven days a week or maintain the same hours, and disruption to vital services will occur.

Since the last levy lift in 2017, Spokane Public Libraries has reported increased value to the community, including 500 percent more free meeting rooms and event spaces, 455 percent more events offered, and one million visitors in 2023, an increase of 10 percent since 2017. Vote Yes on the City of Spokane Measure 1 to invest in daily library services and community resources.

Across the political spectrum, every member of the Spokane City Council unanimously voted to put City of Spokane Measure 2 on the ballot. If passed, the city will rewrite parts of the charter provision to offer greater representation to the community and remove ambiguous language, ensuring Spokane's districts are impartially created. The measure would create a seven-member Council Redistricting Commission—expanding it from the current three members—consisting of city residents. It would also establish a decennial (every ten years) redistricting process. 

The commission would be filled with three appointments from the mayor from each existing district, three appointed by the city council, and one nonvoting chairperson appointed by these six members. 

The measure is written to put boundaries and restrictions on special interest groups and political influence, require more public participation on map proposals, and prioritize the boundaries of neighborhoods and communities of shared interests. It also prevents the city council from modifying the decisions of the Redistricting Commission. After public hearings, the council could either adopt the submitted plan or send it back to the commission for changes. Deadlocks on the commission would be decided by the municipal court. 

The new process should give residents more assurance that the redistricting process remains politically impartial. Vote Yes On City of Spokane Measure 2.

Spokane School District Proposition 1 would replace an expiring educational programs and operational levy to fill critical gaps in state funding and continue offering students a high-quality education.

All of our students deserve the opportunity to meet their potential. However, the far right continues to attack the accuracy and equity of public education while attempting to cut critical funding for school districts across the country. It is more important than ever to ensure that Spokane students have modern, safe, and properly equipped learning environments.

If passed, Proposition 1 would replace the educational programs and operational levy, which is set to expire, at an estimated rate of $2.50 per $1,000 assessed value. At this rate, the owner of a $350,000 home could expect to pay about $875 a year. The levy covers a number of essential operations that are not already covered by state funding such as athletics and arts budgets, learning technology upgrades, extracurricular programs, safety and security, health staff, and advanced courses.

Our students can't succeed in under-resourced learning environments. We must invest in their needs to prepare them for today’s world — vote Yes on Spokane School District Proposition 1.

The town of Fairfield and the Spokane County Fire District 2 are proposing to bring the town's fire protection services under the purview of the Fire District 2. Now it is up to voters to approve this plan in the form of Proposition 1 by a simple majority. By annexing Fairfield into Fire District 2, all residents of the area will have better access to emergency and health services (including COVID testing, flu shots, and community outreach) when they need them, especially with the increasing threat of local wildfires. 

Spokane Fire Protection District 2 serves just over 1,000 residents and made 262 calls out of its two stations in 2023. Currently, the district provides emergency response to the town of Fairfield through contracted services. If Proposition 1 is passed, the overhead costs of maintaining this contract will be eliminated. Instead, Fairfield residents can expect to shift from their current fire and EMS tax rate to $0.04 per $1,000 of assessed value higher, raising an estimated $30,000 for the fire district. Practically, this means the owner of a median-priced Fairfield home can expect to pay less than $10 a year more for emergency services. Residents already within Spokane Fire District 2 will not see a rise in rates.

Vote Yes on Spokane Fire Protection District 2 Proposition 1 to ensure that emergency services are more efficient for and better supported by the community they serve.

When a loved one is experiencing a health crisis, the last thing on your mind should be whether or not our firefighters and ambulance services have the funding they need to help. Spokane Fire District 5 Proposition 1 would restore a property tax levy to fund fire protection and emergency medical services.

Emergency services require upgraded infrastructure and resources to ensure that a strong crisis response is there when we need it most. Last year, the District’s Board of Commissioners assessed that in order to continue the bare minimum level of emergency services, the Fire District needs more stable and consistent funding. 

Proposition 1 asks voters to approve this property tax levy at a rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2024, allowing the fire district’s budget to keep up with inflation and provide resources sufficient to maintain and improve public safety services. This would cost the owner of a $350,000 Spokane home roughly $525 a year. The revenue raised from the levy will go towards maintaining firefighter staffing, existing equipment, and facilities while also funding the much-needed purchases of additional equipment.

Vote Approved on Spokane Fire District 5 Proposition 1 so that all district residents can feel safe knowing that our emergency services can meet community needs.