The City of Spokane Valley has three departments. They are the City Council, the Spokane Valley City Manager, and the Departments of Public Safety and Stormwater Utility. The City Manager oversees all departments and provides leadership in the development of long-term and short-term plans for the city. He also serves as a chief policy advisor to the Council. The city works to provide a business-friendly environment while providing public safety for its citizens.

Spokane Valley’s stormwater utility program

The Spokane Valley Stormwater Utility Program is charged with operating and maintaining the city’s stormwater infrastructure, and meeting stormwater regulations. It is funded by a stormwater fee assessed on all developed parcels. Each person who lives in Spokane Valley pays about $1.75 per month to help the city manage stormwater facilities.

The Spokane Valley has more than 300 miles of separate storm sewers, and these sewers discharge to Latah Creek and the Spokane River. The Spokane River receives more than a billion gallons of stormwater each year. Stormwater runoff from these areas recharges the SVRP aquifer through multiple infiltration pathways. The Spokane River is a major source of drinking water for approximately one million people in Washington and Idaho. Combined stormwater and wastewater sewers often overflow into the Spokane River during heavy rains.

Current level of service

Spokane Valley City Services provides administrative and operational coordination for the city. Its departments include Finance and Human Resources, Public Information, and Reception. The Spokane Valley Senior Center and CenterPlace Regional Event Center are also located here. These three buildings together encompass 54,000 square feet of meeting and event space.

The city is currently facing financial challenges. The total cost of street maintenance is approximately $16 million per year. In addition, the city is also addressing issues related to stormwater. This is why the City has imposed a stormwater fee on all developed parcels in the city. This fee is paid by residents, businesses, and other property owners. Its collection rates are consistently over 99 percent. This keeps costs down for customers and utilities.

Proposed ban on third-party publications

A proposed ban on third-party publications by Spokanen Valley City Services is raising debate in the city. The ban would ban the distribution of newspapers, pamphlets and other publications from city hall. The ban would not apply to paid subscriptions, however.

There is a public hearing scheduled for July 14th, and the Spokane Valley Planning Commission will consider the proposal on August 23. The unnamed street connects Park Road and Mission Avenue and encompasses 7,400 square feet. The Planning Commission voted 6-1 to recommend that the issue be brought to City Council for consideration. Council members agreed to place the item on their August 23rd agenda.

Impact on traffic patterns in Spokane Valley

In the coming years, Spokane Valley City Services is planning to decrease Sprague Avenue’s lane width, as part of a larger project to improve pedestrian safety. The project also includes a new stormwater runoff system that will be connected to a treatment plant. In addition, a new bus stop will be built at the intersection, and a camera system will monitor traffic patterns. Motorists will also be invited to participate in a survey to evaluate the impact of these changes.

All development projects in Spokane Valley must undergo a traffic analysis. For smaller projects, the review will focus on location of entrances and exits, while larger projects may require a Traffic Impact Analysis and Public Traffic Meetings. Traffic flow measurement is done in accordance with the Washington State Growth Management Act and Department of Ecology’s Environmental Policy Act.