Animal Control
Election Results
| Option | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Rejected | 79,603 | 56.40% |
| Approved | 61,536 | 43.60% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
About the Measure
Spokane County Measure 1 seeks a property tax increase to provide a new regional animal shelter big enough to accommodate the city of Spokane’s request for service.
If approved by voters countywide, a property tax levy up to 5.8 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for a maximum of nine years.
That would raise an estimated $15 million, enough to acquire land and build a brand new Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service shelter. However, officials expect to complete the job for $10 million by renovating an existing building.
If the lower cost can be achieved, the ballot measure will require county commissioners to reduce the levy amount, shorten its term or both.
Commissioner Todd Mielke said, even if full amount is necessary, the cost for the owner of an average-priced single-family residence – around $175,300 – would be an estimated 83 cents a month.
The measure requires a simple majority to pass.
Even without Spokane as a customer, county officials say, a new shelter is needed to meet the growing requirements of existing users: residents of Spokane Valley, Cheney, Millwood, Liberty Lake and unincorporated areas.
SCRAPS Director Nancy Hill said the current shelter, at 2521 N. Flora Road, is poorly located, too small for current needs and impossible to expand because it is between railroad tracks and a gravel pit.
Spokane asked to join the SCRAPS coalition after its provider, SpokAnimal C.A.R.E., said it wanted to get out of the animal-control business. SpokAnimal directors now say they would like to retain the city contract.
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