SPOKANE, Wash. — Voters will soon decide the fate of a multi-million dollar bond and levy meant to improve parks, schools and athletic facilities across Spokane.
In November, the $440 million Together Spokane bond and levy package will appear on the ballot.
The plan is a collaboration between Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. If passed, the plan would fund 200 projects throughout the city.
4 News Now has been covering the Together Spokane plan since February. We collected questions from the community about the Together Spokane plan and did the research to bring you the answers you need to cast your vote next month. See our Q&A series below.
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Q: $440 million is a lot of money. How would the money be split up?
A: The SPS bond is a $200 million, 20-year bond, while the Parks & Rec measure is a $240 million, 20-year levy.
For parks, 53% would go towards renovating and replacing existing park assets. 35% would go toward improving safety and daily maintenance, and 12% would go toward amenities and filling gaps in service.
Spokane Public Schools says the Adams Elementary, Madison Elementary, and North Central High School renovations would be the most costly.
Q: Why is the Parks levy more expensive than the school bond?
A: Spokane Parks has not asked for a bond since 2014, while SPS has had other bonds since then. This is because Spokane Public Schools has a 6-year investment strategy. The 2026 Spokane Parks budget is relying on this measure to pass, but the board said it does have a contingency plan in place, should the levy fail.
Q: How much would this plan cost you at home?
A: In total, Together Spokane would cost the average homeowner about $96 in property taxes per year. About $90 would go toward Spokane Parks, and the remaining $6 to Spokane Schools.
Q: What percentage of the Parks levy would go toward administrative costs?
A: According to Spokane Parks, administrative costs make up about 5% of the levy budget. That would cover things like salaries for accountants, designers, architects and contract clerks on projects.
Q: Out of all 200 proposed plans under Together Spokane, which projects would be highest priority, if the plan were to pass?
A: In the first two to three years, Spokane Parks said it would produce annual work plans. That would include increasing maintenance staff by 50% to better care for its parks. It also said it will renovate park restrooms and playgrounds. Those in the worst condition would be prioritized.
For Spokane Schools, the first project would be upgrading Adams Elementary. The expansion of the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex would also begin immediately. Those projects would be followed by the remodel of the Riverpoint One Building, the aquatic center, North Central High School and the Trades High School.
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For more information on Together Spokane and to calculate how much it would cost you based on your address, visit www.togetherspokane.org.
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