Spokane County, Washington
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Spokane County is one of 39 counties in Washington. It has a population of 471,221 as of 2010 and its county seat is in Spokane.[1]
Website evaluation
Last rated February 14, 2012.
The good
- Public records information and forms available.[2]
- Budget is published.[3]
- Commissioners are listed, can be individually contacted through online form.[4] Weekly meeting calendar and agenda posted.[5]
- Local tax information is available.[6][7]
- Building permits[8] and zoning information provided.[9]
- Department contact info provided, not all have officials listed.[10]
- Audits are posted.[11]
The bad
- Contracts are not online.
- Does not disclose if belongs to government sector lobbying associations.
Budget
The 2012 budget spends $315,615,222.[12]
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |
| Human Services | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 6% | 6% |
| Support Services | 14% | 13% | 14% | 14% | 14% | 14% | 14% |
| Public Works | 20% | 20% | 20% | 18% | 19% | 18% | 18% |
| Law, Safety, and Justice | 61% | 62% | 61% | 63% | 62% | 62% | 62% |
Public Employees
Elected Officials
There are nine elected officials in Spokane County including three County Commissioners. The elections are partisan and term length is four years.[13]
| First | Last | Position | District | Term Expiration |
| Todd | Mielke | Commissioner | 1 | 2012 |
| Mark | Richard | Commissioner | 2 | 2012 |
| Al | French | Commissioner | 3 | 2014 |
| Vicki | Horton | Assessor | 2014 | |
| Vicky | Dalton | Auditor | 2014 | |
| Thomas | Fallquist | Clerk | 2014 | |
| Steve | Tucker | Prosecuting Attorney | 2014 | |
| Ozzie | Knezovich | Sheriff | 2014 | |
| Rob | Chase | Treasurer | 2014 |
Commissioner Richard is retiring and three candidates are running to replace him: On August 7, voters will choose between Democrat Daryl Romeyn, Republican Rob Chase, and Republican Shelly O’Quinn.[14]
Administrative Officials
The Board of Commissioners appoints a Chief Executive Officer to carry out the day to day operations of county governance. The current CEO is Mashell Farnell.[15]
Salaries
- 2011
- County Commissioners opted to trim nonunion employee benefits by requiring the employees to contribute more to their health and other benefits plans. Instead of having the county pay for all health and dental premiums, workers will now pay 5% of their costs and 10% for each family member.[16]
- 2009
- 26 positions were eliminated and 10 actual employees were let go while the highest paid officials received automatic pay raises. Each of the three County Commissioners had a 2009 salary of $93,000 along with a $595 a month car allowance. All other elected officials earn 95% of the salary for County Commissioners.[17]
Pensions
County Commissioners restored a 2.5% cost of living increase that was originally cancelled based on advice from the state Department of Retirement Systems. They were told the move would not affect pensions and have since asked the state to pay the $325,000 cost of the decision.[18]
Emergency personnel
The Spokane County Sheriff is an elected official that serves a four year term. The current Sheriff is Ozzie Knezovich.[19]
The Department of Emergency Management is responsible for disaster preparation.[20]
Lobbying
Spokane County is not listed as paying for lobbying services on Open Secrets.
Transparency & public records
The Spokane County website lists its public records policy along with a request form.[21]
Taxes
Complete information regarding property tax levies can be found here. Sales tax information is posted here.
External links
References
- ↑ Census, U.S. Census Bureau Delivers Washington's 2010 Census Population Totals, Including First Look at Race and Hispanic Origin Data for Legislative Redistricting, FEB. 23, 2011
- ↑ Public Records
- ↑ Budget
- ↑ Commissioners
- ↑ Meetings
- ↑ Assessor
- ↑ Treasurer
- ↑ Permits
- ↑ Ordinances
- ↑ Contacts
- ↑ CAFR
- ↑ 2012 Budget
- ↑ Elected Officials
- ↑ Spokesman, County District 2 race features familiar faces, July 17, 2012
- ↑ Chief Executive Officer
- ↑ Spokesman, County employees to shoulder costs, July 1, 2011
- ↑ Spokesman, County salaries don’t feel the pinch, January 21, 2009
- ↑ Spokesman, Spokane County restores raise to save pensions, May 26, 2010
- ↑ Sheriff
- ↑ Emergency Management
- ↑ Public Records
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