ML commission elects Hudson chair

The Medical Lake Planning Commission took a new step forward at its Aug. 27 meeting.

The commission voted 4-0 to promote vice chair Mark Hudson to commission chair. Commissioner Wayne Ueda was absent.

After former chair Lois Feken resigned in July, City Council appointed Tammy Roberson to fill the vacant spot on the commission.

After the election, City Administrator Doug Ross informed the commission about Greater Spokane Incorporated’s proposal to establish a port district in Spokane County.

Ross explained that a port district is a taxing authority established in counties to help attract businesses. It would allow the collection of tax dollars to add infrastructure for new businesses or help expand existing firms. The port district would elect its own commissioners and act as a municipality. While a port district used to be only for seaport cities, Washington state expanded it to rails and airports to give all counties an additional taxing authority. The port district could also apply for economic development grants.

Hudson asked who the port authority would answer to. Ross said they would answer to the Spokane County Board of Commissioners.

Spokane business leaders put a port district on the 1984 ballot, which was defeated, 4 to 1.

Ross added that GSI wants to conduct a study to see if a port district would be beneficial for the county, and will speak to City Council in hopes that they would contribute $2,000-$3,000 to help fund the study. Robin Toth, GSI’s vice president of business development, gave a presentation to Cheney’s City Council at its Aug. 25 meeting. Spokane County Commissioner Al French spoke to Airway Heights’ City Council about the port district at its Aug. 24 study session. GSI is also asking Airway Heights to donate $5,000 to the study.

Commissioner Tammy Roberson asked if Medical Lake as a whole could vote “no” for a port district. Ross said it would be a county wide vote. He added that the addition of a port district would not change the political structure of Spokane County.

“If a port district does happen, Spokane County will be the county and Medical Lake will still be its own city,” Ross said.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.