The Airway Heights City Council listened to two presentations at its Oct. 6 meeting.
The first was from Karl Otterstrom of Spokane Transit Authority, who presented a draft of STA’s “Moving Forward” 10-year plan.
Otterstrom explained that the plan is in its third phase. He said the transit system provides thousands of rides daily, with an average of 30 people riding the bus every trip.
“The demand and need is growing,” Otterstrom said. “People are less interested in cars and more interested in getting around in different ways and being more conscientious of how they move in the community. It’s important for us to think about how we can not only sustain the system, but also grow it.”
Otterstrom said STA expects to have its highest ridership in its history by the end of the year. After 10 years, STA is projecting a 30 percent increase in ridership with 15 million riders.
In regards to the West Plains, Otterstrom explained that STA plans to add more service to Airway Heights with buses departing from Spokane every 15 minutes. He added that the route will be faster because buses will no longer go through Browne’s Addition.
“There will be a central city line that connects to downtown, so trips will be 5 minutes faster each way,” Otterstrom said.
Otterstrom also presented some of the upcoming projects, including the proposed West Plains Transit Center, which will be located near Exit 272 and Interstate 90. He said the center will streamline transfers between Airway Heights, Cheney and Medical Lake.
“Wherever it is on the West Plains that people are going, whether it’s the airport, the casino or Medical Lake, they won’t have to go to downtown Spokane to make those trips,” he added.
According to Otterstrom, the transit center is scheduled to be completed in 2018. STA recently submitted an application for a Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Mobility Grant program to help fund construction of the center.
Otterstrom explained the projects will be funded through grants ($75 million), passenger fares 2015-2026 ($200 million) and a three-tenths of 1 percent increase in local sales tax ($300 million), which voters will have to approve. He said STA plans to hold open houses throughout Spokane and the West Plains.
Following Ottostrom’s presentation, Clerk-Treasurer Richard Cook presented information on the 2015 preliminary budget and selected revenue sources for the city.
Cook explained that the timeline from now until the end of the year is set. The city will have three public hearings, Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and Nov. 17 to discuss revenue sources and current expense fund.
“For example, if the city were to raise property taxes, you’d have to have that public hearing,” Cook said. “If you have any desires for other public hearings, you can have those too.”
Cook explained that the city has about 30 different funds with the current expense fund, street fund and water/sewer fund being the main three. He added that the city also receives money from the Kalispel Tribe.
The City Council has to approve the 2015 budget by Dec. 31.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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