News briefs

Airway Heights behind in property tax collections

Airway Heights’ officials are waiting on a bit of money.

According to the city’s latest financial report, the city is running at about 54 percent of its projected property tax collections for the period running Jan. 1 through Sept. 30. The city has collected $561,431 year to date of its budgeted $1,022,000 for 2015.

Clerk/Treasurer Amy Wiedrich told City Council members at their Oct. 26 study session the city collects the majority of its property tax revenues at two points during the year, May/June and November/December.

The city was at, or ahead, of budgeted revenue in four other areas: sales tax, B & O electricity tax, natural gas tax and refuse tax. Liquor tax receipts were at 55 percent of budget and building permits were off 2014’s pace at 65 percent.

“We’re a little behind this year, but last year we had a stellar year,” Wiedrich said regarding building permits.

County holds ‘Warrant Fest’ Nov. 9 

If you have an outstanding warrant, Spokane County District Court and the city of Spokane’s Municipal Court will hold a special warrant recall docket on Monday, Nov. 9. The special docket is for misdemeanor cases only – Superior Court cases will not be heard. 

This joint effort between the county and city saves resources and gives misdemeanants an opportunity to resolve an outstanding warrant.

Dubbed “Warrant Fest,” the special docket will convene at the Spokane Public Library branch in downtown Spokane at 906 W. Main Ave. from 1 – 4:30 p.m.

Questions regarding court cases should be directed to Spokane County District Court at (509) 477-4770 or Spokane Municipal Court at (509) 625-4400.

Cheney seeks CDBG funds for North Eighth Street

The city of Cheney’s Public Works Department is applying for funding from the Community Development Block Grant program to replace a water main along North Eighth Street from Sunrise Drive to the north end of North Eighth. The City Council authorized the department’s application at its Oct. 27 meeting.

City officials estimate the cost of the project at around $150,000. Public Works Director Todd Ableman said they intend to apply for the full $150,000 from CDBG for the water main replacement, and use money from the annual residential street project funding, which ranges between $350,000 — $380,000 per year, as matching funds.

“CDBG recognizes water main replacement and street preservation as eligible high priority needs for CDBG grants, and since Cheney already provides annual street preservation, we use this funding source as a match to fund the water main improvement,” Ableman said in an email.

SRTC seeks transportation advisory committee members

The Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) is seeking members for its Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC). SRTC is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Spokane County that ensures transportation expenditures are based on a cooperative and comprehensive planning process. Federal and state funds for transportation projects and programs are channeled through this planning process and awarded to local agencies and jurisdictions that deal with transportation.

The TAC is a citizens’ advisory group that provides transparency and a community perspective to that process. It advises the SRTC board regarding plans, programs and activities to determine consistency with SRTC policies; makes recommendations on regional transportation policies; and serves as a conduit for information between the Board and the public.

Those chosen for the TAC will serve terms running January 2016 through December 2018. The TAC meets publicly six times a year, on the fourth Monday of every other month at 3 p.m. in Spokane.

Applications and more information are available at http://www.srtc.org/tac_page.html or by calling (509) 343-3670. The application period runs through 4 p.m., Nov. 10.

Library District offers begining Microsoft Excel class

Improve technical skills at a hands-on Microsoft Excel class.

Spokane County Library District is hosting two classes during the month of November. The first class will be held Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the North Spokane Library. A second class will take place the following week on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Spokane Valley Library.  

Designed for beginners with limited experience using Excel, class attendees will learn how to navigate and perform common Excel functions such as formatting spreadsheets, performing calculations, and using pre-made templates. Time will be given during class to practice new skills and techniques.  

Classes are free and open to the public, although space is limited. Pre-registration is required at http://www.scld.org.