Resolution 25-007 Aquifer Protection AreaCITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO.25-007
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, WASHINGTON
REAUTHORIZING THE INCLUSION OF THE MUNICIPAL BOUNDARIES OF THE
CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY WITHIN THE SPOKANE AQUIFER PROTECTION
AREA
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 36.36 RCW, the legislature provided
for the creation of Aquifer Protection Areas to finance the protection, preservation and
rehabilitation of subterranean water and to reduce special assessments imposed upon households
to finance facilities for such purposes; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of RCW 36.36.020, an Aquifer Protection Area
may include territory located within a city or town only with the approval of the City or Town
governing body; and
WHEREAS, in 1985 the Board of County Commissioners of Spokane County placed a
ballot proposition before the electors to create the Spokane Aquifer Protection Area and
established certain Aquifer Protection Area fees for a 20-year time frame. The boundaries of the
Aquifer Protection Area included portions of the unincorporated areas of Spokane County, which
at that time included the City of Spokane Valley and City of Liberty Lake, as well as the City of
Spokane and Town of Millwood; and
WHEREAS, in 1985, the voters approved the ballot proposition to create the Spokane
Aquifer Protection Area as well as the corresponding Aquifer Protection Area fee(s) with both sun -
setting December 31, 2005; and
WHEREAS, the voters again approved a ballot proposition reauthorizing the Spokane
Aquifer Protection Area and corresponding Aquifer Protection Area fee(s) with both sunsetting
December 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Spokane Region will continue to face significant issues with regard to the
protection of the water quality in the Spokane Aquifer even after the expiration of the current
Aquifer Protection Area as well as corresponding Aquifer Protection Area fees; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Spokane County believes that it is in
the best interest of the region to reauthorize the Spokane Aquifer Protection Area and corresponding
Aquifer Protection Area fees for an additional twenty (20) year time frame to provide financial
resources to allow the region to make continued progress toward the elimination of septic tanks in
the urban areas. In conjunction with such determination, the Board of County Commissioners
further believes that the boundaries of the reauthorized Spokane Aquifer Protection Area should
encompass all or a portion of the municipal boundaries of the City of Spokane Valley and therefore
Page 1 of 2
are desirous of obtaining approval from the City of Spokane Valley legislative authority to include
its municipal boundaries within the reauthorized Spokane Aquifer Protection Area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City of Spokane Valley
Council of the City of Spokane Valley, as follows:
Section 1. The Council hereby approves inclusion of its municipal boundaries within the
boundaries of the reauthorized Spokane Aquifer Protection Area. Provided, that in making the
decision, the Council understands that this action will enable the Board of County
Commissioners to place the reauthorization of the Spokane Aquifer Protection Area and
corresponding fee before the electors. Provided, further, in taking this action, the Council is not
taking a position in support or opposition to any ballot proposition which may be submitted to
the electors by the Board of County Commissioners to reauthorize the Aquifer Protection Area
and corresponding fee. Such an action can only be taken consistent with the provisions of RCW
42.17A.555.
Section 2. This resolution shall become effective immediately after passage.
PASSED by the City Council this 22" d day of April 2025.
Qp,- 06K "I
Pam Haley, Mayor
ATTEST:
I'U IVA.
Marc Patterson, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
Kelly . Konkrig t, City Attorney
Page 2 of 2