City of Spokane Community Update April 7, 2026 Mayor Brown Around Town River City Youth Visit Mayor Lisa Brown joined the River City Youth spring interns for their first planting day of the season! PATH Diversion and Recovery Center Groundbreaking Our community celebrated the groundbreaking of the PATH Diversion and Recovery Center! This facility will increase access to care for individuals and communities affected by addiction. The City is proud to support Spokane County in its work to create this resource. Spokane Falls Community College Visit Yesterday, Mayor Brown and her team toured Spokane Falls Community College's new Fine & Applied Arts Building! It was great meeting filmmaking students and seeing the meaningful work shaping Spokane's creative future. From the Mayor's Desk Check out Mayor Lisa Brown's latest newsletter to learn about the progress the City's homelessness strategy is making! We’re working to stabilize people, connect them to the resources they need, and expand transitional housing efforts, which is proving to be a critical part of the picture. April is Spokane Gives Month! City of Spokane Celebrates Return of Spokane Gives April is National Volunteer Month, and the City of Spokane is celebrating with the return of Spokane Gives! This year, we are partnering with LaunchNW to utilize the VolunteerSpokane.org platform, making it easier than ever for community members to find and sign up for projects. Sign up for a volunteer opportunity today. These organizations are still in need of volunteers: - Dog Walking: SpokAnimal is looking for volunteers to walk dogs! Exercise and time socializing with people is so important for dogs. - Bite2Go Volunteer: Second Harvest is looking for volunteers to assemble weekend meals for over 11,000 students across the Inland Northwest. - Pick Up at The Park!: Spokane Parks and Recreation is looking for youth volunteers to help pick up litter in their local park. Let Parks know which park you'd like to volunteer at 48 hours in advance so they can have supplies ready! Happy Earth Month! Spokane Conservation District’s Tree Sale Weekend It's surplus sale weekend at the Spokane Conservation District's Tree Sale Weekend! Stop by Friday, April 10, or Saturday, April 11, shop the surplus sale, connect with local partners, and enjoy food, coffee, and shopping at The Scale House Market. Click here for more information. Water Wise Wednesday Workshops A crash course in irrigation basics and the efficiency of drip systems. Whether you're new to gardening or upgrading your setup, you'll leave with practical knowledge to get started. This is part 6 of an 8-part workshop on water-wise practices. The Water Wise Wednesday Workshop: Efficient Irrigation is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Shadle Park Library. Master Gardener Foundation Plant Sale You have the opportunity to shop this plant sale to support the WSU Extension Master Gardener Program, our Spokane County partner! At the sale this year, you will find an amazing assortment of native plants, vegetable starts, beautiful pollinator plants, berries, dahlias, herbs, houseplants, ornamental grasses, and much more. Registration is required and opens Monday, April 20, for April 24 and 25 shopping appointments. For more information, visit their website. Your City at Work Spring Market at Riverfront Join us for a vibrant day of shopping, food, and community during spring break at the Spring Market at Riverfront Park! Come shop, explore, and connect with local creators while enjoying a day of entertainment and fun. The Spring Market presented by ICCU is on Wednesday, April 8, 12 - 6 p.m. at the South Park Entrance. Construction Zone Construction season is underway! Motorists are urged to plan ahead, allow for extra time, and be alert for frequent traffic changes. Please slow down for everyone’s safety and make the extra effort to support businesses impacted by the necessary projects. Visit our website for closure information. PlanSpokane 2046: Plan Commission to Vote on Future Growth Following months of community feedback and analysis, the Spokane Plan Commission will hold a public hearing for the Preferred Alternative of the PlanSpokane 2046 Periodic Update to the Comprehensive Plan. Click here to learn more about the Preferred Alternatives. Members of the public can submit written comments to the Plan Commission by emailing PlanSpokane@spokanecity.org. Submit written comments by 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14. KSPS PBS Bringing Back Civics Bowl Spokane’s only televised civics knowledge tournament, Civics Bowl, returns this spring. Teams from Spokane area high schools compete in the Civics Bowl by answering questions about national, state, tribal, and regional governments, as well as other topics related to high school-level study of civics and history. You're invited to attend a match recording session on Tuesday, April 14, Thursday, April 16, Tuesday, April 21, or Thursday, April 23. Click here to RSVP. April News You Can Use April's "News You Can Use" with the Office of Neighborhood Services features the Audubon-Downriver Neighborhood! Visit spokaneneighborhoods.org to find out what neighborhood you live in and how to join your neighborhood council. Wildfire Evacuation Drill Planned The City of Spokane, alongside regional partners and neighborhood leaders, will conduct a wildfire evacuation drill in the Latah/Hangman and Eagle Ridge areas on Saturday, April 25, in the morning. This voluntary drill is an important opportunity for residents to practice evacuating safely and efficiently in a simulated wildfire scenario. For more information, click here. Latah Valley Community Open House You’re invited to drop-in and learn more about various City departments. Representatives from the Office of Neighborhood Services, Planning, Spokane Fire, Public Works, and Parks Departments will be available at stations to provide information about relevant projects in the Highway 195 corridor. We hope you’ll stop by! When: Tuesday, April 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Where: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5810 S. Meadowlane Road Spokane City Council Changing Meeting Days Wednesdays are the new Mondays! If you have ever attended, watched, or planned to speak at a Spokane City Council meeting, this affects you. Starting July 14, Spokane City Council meeting days change. - Council Agenda Review Meetings are now on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. - Council Committee Meetings are now on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. - Council Legislative Sessions are now on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Waste to Energy Facility Spring Break Tours See where your garbage goes at an upcoming FREE Waste to Energy Facility Tour! Follow the journey from the tipping floor to the boiler, where trash is burned at 2,000 degrees to generate electricity for 13,000 homes. Registration is required. - Wednesday, April 8, 1 p.m. - Thursday, April 9, 10 a.m. - Friday, April 10, 10 a.m. If you are interested in touring the SMaRT Recycling Center, our partners at WM are hosting a free tour. Click here to register for the SMaRT Recycling Center Tour on Tuesday, April 14, from 10 - 11 a.m. Senior and Disabled Utility Discount Program Helping More People Utility Billing reached out to customers who may qualify for Senior and Disabled credits. Postcards were mailed to property owners who are eligible for Spokane County’s property tax exemption to ensure awareness for the program and provide support. The response has resulted in a 75 percent increase in number of customers receiving utility bill credits! Read our blog for more information! Apply for the Working Families Tax Credit The Working Families Tax Credit is designed to put money back in the pockets of hardworking families. Get up to $5,075 back in tax refunds for 2022 - 2025. Check your eligibility and apply at workingfamiliescredit.wa.gov. Benefits of the New Property Tax Law The Senior Citizen Property Tax Relief Program is expanding in 2027! Senate Bill 6162 increases income thresholds for exemptions, provides a standard deduction for income calculation, and exempts qualifying seniors and disabled individuals from 100% of state school levy property taxes. Click here to learn more. Summer Registration WCC Youth Development Program Registration for the Summer Youth Program at West Central Community Center opens on Monday, April 6. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. The All-Day Summer Program at West Central Community Center offers kids a safe and fun environment where they participate in games, activities, and friendship. Visit their website to learn more about our Youth Programs. If you're interested in the Summer Youth Program, contact Noah at (509) 323-7519 or email ntrosine@westcentralcc.org. Free Business Tax Basics Workshop The Washington State Department of Revenue is hosting free business tax workshops to discuss tax classifications, deductions, sales tax collection, and recordkeeping requirements. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions about taxes that apply specifically to your business. Register for a workshop! Community and Economic Development Updates Northeast PDA Secures $2M for Childcare and Workforce Housing Senator Maria Cantwell worked with the Northeast Public Development Authority (NEPDA) to secure $2 million of congressionally directed spending from the 2026 federal budget for the NEPDA’s mixed-use project at 3011 E Wellesley Ave. The funding allows the project to provide swing-shift childcare services, in addition to workforce housing units in the Hillyard Neighborhood. In addition to helping ensure childcare services will be accessible to families in need, the funding also helps ensure the project will be able to open its doors in 2028. University District PDA Secures $343,000 Commerce Grant The University District Public Development Authority has received a $343,000 Clean Energy Siting and Permitting (CESP) grant from the Department of Commerce. In cooperation with partners like Avista Utilities, this work will build on the PDA’s focus on an environmentally sustainable district. The grant will fund a feasibility study for a cooperatively owned geothermal system and make recommendations on siting considerations as the PDA continues to support and advance clean energy sources for our community. City of Spokane Jobs We Are Hiring The City of Spokane is hiring! Check out our featured jobs of the week: - Aquatics Customer Service Representative - Dwight Merkel Summer Camp Counselor - Dwight Merkel Summer Camp Director - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technician - Police Officer - Signal Maintenance Technician - Technical Services Specialist I-II - Waste to Energy Grounds Laborer - Waste to Energy Site Attendant For a full list of job openings with the City of Spokane, visit our website. Upcoming Job Fairs The City of Spokane will have a booth at the following job fairs to connect with talented individuals like you. Come learn about current full-time positions and ask questions about how Civil Service works. - Tuesday, April 14, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Spokane County Career Expo - Wednesday, April 15, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Idaho Department of Labor Job Fair - Tuesday, April 21, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Spokane Falls Job Fair Community Resources Need Mental Health Help? National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 9-8-8 Contact Or Walk-In: Frontier Behavioral Health (509) 838-4651 ext 012082. Contact or Walk-In: Inland Northwest Behavioral Health (509) 992-1888 CHAS Health: (509) 444-8200 Excelsior Wellness Center: (509) 559-3100 Request Online Appointment Help for children, adults and families is available via telehealth. Teen Text and Chat Line: 844-814-TEEN (8336) Free confidential safe place service available to any teen or young adult. Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 9-8-8 then Press 1 or Text 838255 Need Resources? Call Washington 211 at 2-1-1 or (877) 211-9274 to speak to a local agent Text your Zip Code to 898211 or email ew211@incontactmail.com Apply for basic food assistance over the phone! Access to resources online at: wa211.org Sign up for their Newsletter! Need Access to Food? Contact SNAP at (509) 319-3050 or SRTC@snapwa.org Are you prepared in case of an emergency? Check out the City’s Emergency Management page! Behavioral Health Services - Individual, Group & Family Involved Therapy - Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe) - Family Outreach Crisis Intervention Services (FOCIS) - Problematic Sexualized Behaviors Victim Advocacy and Education - Sexual Assault 24-hour Support Line - Crime Victim Support Line - Sexual Assault & Medical Advocacy - Legal Advocacy - Safety Planning - Support Groups - Community Education Know the Number Navigating City services can be confusing for residents. Use this "Know the Number" graphic to point them in the right direction. - 911 – Emergency Services - 811 – Call Before You Dig - 988 – Mental Health Crisis - 311 – City Services - 509-456-2233 – Crime Check - 211 – Social Services Share this "Know the Number" graphic with your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors! Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Prevention Resources Prevention at Home Video Series Trauma Recovery Services Lutheran Community Services: (509) 747-8224 Intensive Behavioral Health, Victim Advocacy and Foster Care, are available. Washington Poison Center Helpline Call the Washington Poison Center Helpline at 800-222-1222 if a person has been exposed to dangerous or potentially dangerous substances. Spring Dreams: FREE Washington State Boater Education Classes The Spokane County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit is hosting free Washington State Boater Education Classes. Classes will be held on the following dates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Spokane County Sheriff's Office Training Center. - Saturday, April 25 - Saturday, May 16 - Saturday, June 13 - Saturday, June 27 - Saturday, July 11 - Saturday, Aug. 8 Click here to learn more about Washington State Boater Education Cards. On the Bright Side The Bites & Books Food Drive is back! Bring canned or packaged nonperishable food to any library during April. The Spokane Public Library has partnered with NonStop Local KHQ, Spokane County Library District, Liberty Lake Municipal Library, and Aequus Sports for this month-long food drive benefiting Second Harvest. X • Facebook • YouTube • Vimeo • Instagram • Bluesky Sign Up for Community Updates Terms of Use • Your Privacy • My Spokane 311 • Contact Information We are here to help! Simply dial 311 or if outside City limits: 509-755-CITY(2489). 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