 |
For Greater Spokane Inc., it was better than nothing.
Still seething from a perceived lack of commitment from an area economic-stimulus and business-boosting organization, Spokane Valley Mayor Richard Munson reluctantly went a long with a “carrot and the stick” approach when it came to donating city funds.
On Tuesday, the City Council agreed to donate $142,500 -- $1,500 more than originally planned – to various charitable and economic-development organizations. While some didn’t make the cut, GSI still got the biggest piece of the pie – with one caveat.
Deputy Mayor Dick Denenny offered to give regional chamber of commerce GSI $30,000 now for marketing and outreach efforts to stimulate economic growth in Spokane Valley and another $30,000 if the group produces a marketing strategy by Oct. 1, when the SARP goes into effect, to work in conjunction with the recently passed Sprague-Appleway Revitalization Plan.
“I like having that carrot out there,” Denenny said.
Munson, however, said he is “very reluctant” to give GSI – which typically receives $65,000 each year from the city to attract new business -- any more money at this time. He said he was discouraged when he asked the organization’s leadership about its plans to market the SARP, which seeks to spur new business along Sprague Avenue, and the response he got back was “What plan?”
He further added that GSI’s record of new business growth is nothing to crow about either. The council was told two weeks ago that GSI has brought in at least six businesses into Spokane Valley since 2003 and created 586 new jobs.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m not beating my chest over that,” Munson said. “I think we need to send a strong message. We’ve rewarded them already.”
Brenda Grassel, who is running against Council Member Diana Wilhite in the November general election, said the restrictive zoning of the Sprague revitalization plan will make the job difficult for GSI.
“How do they promote a SARP that discourages developers from building?” she asked.
The council also agreed to give the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce $20,000, $15,000 more than last year.
When it came to the charitable organizations, some didn’t receive any funding. Those included the Coalition for the Responsible Disabled, Hearth Homes, Arc of Spokane, Center Point and Community Minded Television.
Council members agreed it made more sense to give more to some groups to maximize their efforts, in particular those in the Spokane Valley area. Those included the Spokane Valley Arts Council ($6,000), Big Brothers Big Sisters ($5,000), Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels ($6,500), Project Access ($20,000) and Spokane Valley Partners ($25,000).
In other news, the council:
- Held a public hearing on its proposed 2010 budget of $102 million, with actual expenditures of about $65 million. A $37 million balance is expected at year’s end.
- Agreed to a first reading of an ordinance that would set the property tax rate at $1.54 per $1,000 in assessed value. That amount reflects a 2.9-percent increase in the property tax levy.
- Passed a pandemic-response plan for city employees to follow in case of a potential health emergency in relation to the swine flu or other emergency.
|
|
By
Mike Huffman
