CIVICS | It may be a holiday week, but the Spokane City Council still has budget hearings to hold and ARPA money to disburse.
Next week is a short one for public institutions because of turkey day, but the city council is still working the first part, so we still have a civics round up for you, PLUS details on closures, trash pickup and street parking.
Spokane City Council
Delinquent utilities: According to the agenda packet, there are more than 8,600 homes in Spokane that are behind on their city utility bills, totaling nearly $8 million in outstanding balances. The council is set to accept grant funds from the Washington State Department of Commerce of more than $1.8 million to support utility bill customers who have delinquent accounts because of the pandemic.
The grant says the debt accrued must have been between March 2020 and Dec. 31, 2022 by customers who have been pre-qualified because they participate in other programs, including LIHWAP, LIHEAP and U Help. The funding will help about 2,100 households with some or all of their past due bills.
Childcare money incoming: The city council is set to approve a $3.5 million ARPA grant to Community Minded Enterprises to distribute ARPA grants to childcare providers for specific programs and staffing. There is also money set aside for childcare vouchers for middle-income earners.
Budget, Baby (again again): The city council is still in budget hearings and will be every Monday until Dec. 5. See the budget here and read more about it in depth from The Inlander’s Daniel Walters here.
Homeless funding: The council is set to vote on a resolution that commits the city to funding current homeless shelters and service providers before funding new shelter beds. This comes out of the threat that Hope House would shutter without more funding while the city was funding Trent Shelter. This item was discussed in the Urban Experience Committee this week and is set to be voted on Monday.
Agenda here.Monday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m.Council Chambers in the Lower Level of City Hall.808 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201The meeting is also live streamed here.
