Passage would raise up to $15 million to help replace current 40-year-old, non-expandable shelter located in the Spokane Valley
In a split vote (2-1) at Tuesday afternoon's regularly scheduled meeting, the Spokane County Board of Commissioners approved putting a levy on the Nov. 8 General Election ballot that would provide the necessary funds to replace the Spokane Regional Animal Protection Shelter.
Spokane County Proposition No. 1 would increase the county's regular property tax levy by less than $12 per year for the owner of a $200,000 home. The levy increase would end after nine years instead of the typical 20-year period, and could raise up to $15 million.
According to Nancy Hill, director of the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS), the current facility is more than 40 years old and cannot expand to meet demand at its present location off of Sullivan Road (next to the Industrial Park). SCRAPS provides animal control services for Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Deer Park, Cheney, Medical Lake, Airway Heights, Fairchild AFB, Millwood, Spangle, Waverly, Latah, Rockford and Fairfield.
Spokane County Proposition No. 1 would provide the necessary funds to purchase property in the vicinity of Havana and Broadway Avenue, adjacent to the Fair and Expo Center. The central location is on bus routes and would provide the public with greater access to services, operational efficiency, and improved response time.
The new facility would be large enough to co-locate SCRAPS, the Spokane Humane Society and Spokanimal Care – if the City of Spokane decides to join the current coalition. The facility could also be downsized if the City of Spokane and Spokanimal Care decide to not co-locate. If it is downsized, the cost of the facility would be reduced and so would the amount of the levy to be collected.
Reader Comments(0)