Safety spending proves contentious
SPOKANE VALLEY – The city council’s approval of its 2025 budget last Tuesday was overshadowed by sharp exchanges and ongoing tensions between councilman Al Merkel and his colleagues. The budget, which totals $149.6 million across 31 funds, passed with a 6-1 vote, with Merkel casting the lone dissent.
The meeting marked the third and final public hearing on the 2025 budget. Finance Director Chelsie Walls highlighted key points, including a General Fund expenditure of $67.7 million, a planned reduction of two full-time employees, and expenditures exceeding revenues by approximately $1.1 million.
While most council members focused on balancing priorities like public safety and infrastructure, the conversation repeatedly veered towards disputes involving Merkel, whose actions earlier this year required city-funded legal reviews.
Merkel argued the budget failed to prioritize public safety, criticizing the lack of funding for new police officers. “This budget doesn’t really match what matters to Spokane Valley,” Merkel said. He then questioned why funds weren’t being allocated to hire additional officers.
Councilwoman Laura Padden countered that law enforcement funding was sufficient, pointing to plans to hire ten officers in 2025, after none were hired in 2024. She stated that it was better to move in steps rather than “trying to hire all 30 officers at once.”
Merkel, however, pressed on, asking how many “non-funded officers” were included in the budget. Walls clarified that the city had already set aside funding for the planned hires.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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