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It’s rare to hear a complaint about public funding when strolling through the halls of CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point, Spokane Valley’s premier community hub.
Those who gather at the 54,000-square-foot venue for reunions, conventions, fund-raisers and other civic functions don’t typically pause to discuss the one-tenth of 1 percent sales tax that was part of a $96 million bond back in 2002 that financed construction of CenterPlace along with a renovation of the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center and the expansion of the Spokane Convention Center.
In addition to hosting a myriad of events, CenterPlace is also home to the Spokane Valley Senior Center and the city’s Parks and Recreation department. Most people will tell you that the $10 million it took to build the facility has been a wise investment by voters who understood the importance of establishing a community gathering place.
The same goes for the $78 million it took to build Central Valley and University high schools and upgrade other schools throughout the Central Valley School District. In 1998, voters approved an increase in property tax to pay for the improvements.
This month, the city of Liberty Lake will run a $9.8 million bond vote that, if passed, would provide funding for a new library and community center. The April 22 initiative requires a supermajority, or at least 60 percent of all ballots to pass.
Since incorporating in 2001, Liberty Lake has grown to a city of nearly 7,500 citizens. The Liberty Lake Municipal Library reports that there are currently around 3,800 residents of the area who have library cards.
A vote for the new library/community center is a vote for education and cultural enrichment. Citizens of Liberty Lake who support the project understand that Pavillion Park and City Hall will never be viable substitutes for a genuine town center.
Opponents of the bond who bring up arguments against increased taxes overlook the fact that the trend of development in Liberty Lake will likely mean an increase in overall property value and a decrease in the tax rate paid by property owners much like the one that was announced in the Central Valley School District last year. In cases of residents with fixed incomes, Spokane County has installed exemptions on property taxes tied to capital facilities funding.
Whether the project is CenterPlace or a new school, history has taught us that public support for community buildings pays significant dividends.
Let’s hope voters in Liberty Lake are taking stock.
Craig Howard
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By
Craig Howard
