2026 State Of The City

The 2026 State of the City address for Spokane Valley, delivered by Mayor Laura Padin and Deputy Mayor Tim Hattenburg, highlighted the city's fiscal conservatism, economic development, and infrastructure investments. Key procurement-related updates included the completion and opening of a new cross country course funded by lodging tax capital funds, and the upcoming $40+ million ice sports facility funded largely through private donations and the Innovia Foundation. The city secured over $177 million in state and federal grants over the past decade, including a recent $21 million USDOT BUILD grant supporting transportation projects. Major infrastructure projects underway include the $48 million Pines Road BNSF grade separation, funded 85% by grants, and improvements to local parks such as Balfour Park with nearly $3.5 million in grant funding. The city also emphasized its commitment to maintaining low taxes through lean staffing, contract services, and aggressive economic development, including retail recruitment and industrial expansion. The police department contract is up for renewal, with the city exploring options to ensure high-quality, cost-effective law enforcement services. Overall, the meeting underscored Spokane Valley's strategic use of grants and partnerships to fund capital projects and support community growth while keeping tax burdens low.