Spokane County Ballot Includes School and Safety Tax Measures

Spokane County voters will decide more than a dozen tax proposals for schools and public safety. Many would replace temporary levies nearing expiration. School levies can support maintenance, campus security upgrades and programs after classes—costs not covered by the state. In Spokane Public Schools, the replacement measure supplies roughly 15 percent of operating funds. Adam Swinyard said its rate remains $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, while the total collected rises with inflation as community property values increase.

Several fire districts also seek property-tax funding. Fire District 2, which covers Fairfield, proposes renewing equipment support at $0.50 for every $1,000 in assessed value. That works out to about $200 annually on property assessed at $400,000. Fire District 3 wants EMS funding for six years to add personnel as emergency demand grows. Cody Rohrbach said the district handles more than 3,500 emergencies annually and that crews from two staffed stations are leaving their usual coverage areas to respond elsewhere.

Fire District 9 is requesting both a higher levy and a bond to update facilities and increase staffing. Fire Chief Matt Vinci said calls grow about 10 percent annually. Approval of both proposals would add $624 per year for the district’s average homeowner. Fire District 11, serving Rockford, proposes an EMS rate of $0.35 per $1,000, while Fire District 12, serving Latah and Waverly, seeks $0.50 per $1,000. Election officials recommend white ballot drop boxes instead of mail so ballots arrive by the deadline.