A troubling divide between city and county leaders could threaten economic security and progress in the community and citizens are owed earnest collaboration efforts from leaders to get things done.

City and county leaders frequently hold common goals and interests in serving their shared community. Through collaboration and cooperation, the two entities can work together to leverage their strengths and resources to achieve mutual objectives.

Unfortunately, a series of communication breakdowns, failed negotiations, and severed partnership agreements between city of Spokane and Spokane County leadership could jeopardize any meaningful progress on a variety of pressing concerns in the region.

Disagreements are impacting regional emergency dispatch services, animal control programs, and utility taxes, among others. Despite some steps taken, problems persist and in some cases have worsened. A new approach is needed to address the region's needs.

For instance, discussions between the city and county regarding Spokane Regional Emergency Communications have been ongoing for years across multiple mayoral administrations, but disagreements about city representation on the 10-member board and tax revenue contributions from city taxpayers have culminated in a June vote by the SREC Board to terminate a contract for dispatch services for the Spokane Fire Department by Jan. 1, 2026.

The city is now proceeding forward with its own emergency communications system while expressing concerns about a shortened timeline to establish a new facility from the ground up and associated costs. The move will take funds away from the county for the operation of a new city-run dispatch system, adding pressure to already strained state and federal funding sources.

A separate fight over utility taxes on the county's wastewater treatment facility—which operates within city limits while mostly serving customers in Spokane Valley, unincorporated Spokane County, and properties in Millwood and Liberty Lake—could end up in court over a $50 million-plus past-due bill that city leaders sent to county officials in the spring after the two entities failed to come to an agreement over the city's desire to tax the income of any wastewater system within city limits.

Additionally, citing concerns of euthanasia policies, Spokane County and the city of Spokane have conflicting perspectives about working together to find a new leader of the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service, which operates as SCRAPS through the county. Spokane City Council's early-August request to play a role in the selection of a new executive director of the animal control organization was recently rejected by County CEO Scott Simmons, who argues that SCRAPS employees are the responsibility of the county. If no compromise is found, the city may end up establishing its own animal control service.

The ripple effects of these disagreements threaten other complex and interconnected efforts to collaborate on homelessness solutions, public safety challenges, and environmental concerns. It's time for the two entities to find a way to get along and solve issues.

Collaboration allows for the sharing of best practices, innovative solutions, and other advancements, which can lead to more effective and sustainable outcomes for everyone.

Taxpayers not only expect such collaboration, they demand it.