I’ve been honored by a unique view of Spokane – our challenges and triumphs - over the past eight years as city administrator, responsible for daily operations and 2,000 employees. Growing up here, graduating from North Central High School and Eastern Washington University, I feel immense pride in all we have achieved as city staff and a community.

As Mayor Condon’s second term reaches conclusion, it feels right to reflect on our progress.

From the start, our administration aimed to make Spokane the “City of Choice” – where people choose to live because it’s safe, smart, and healthy. With the City Council, we built a joint strategic plan, One Spokane. The plan has four pillars under which we make decisions and investments – Safe and Healthy, Sustainable Resources, Innovative Infrastructure, and Urban Experience.

First, One Spokane focuses on being Safe and Healthy. Mayor Condon worked with Police Chief Meidl on solutions that increased officers and decreased complaints. We implemented body cameras as standard practice and created the Police Activities League to build relationships with youth. In 2018, overall crime saw a 15 percent decrease.

Focused on health through coordinated programs, we supported 2,670 people who exited homelessness to permanent housing this year.

Next, our plan looks at Sustainable Resources, making financial decisions for economic prosperity and excellent customer service.

Since 2014, Spokane’s median household income rose 37 percent, double the national rate. We’re keeping utility rates low with a 20-year commitment to annual increases of no more than 2.9 percent. Meanwhile, our AA credit rating and reserves are the highest in our history.

To improve customer service, we implemented MySpokane 311, a one-stop customer service center. To enhance our workforce, we created job opportunities for eligible individuals with disabilities through supportive employment.

Third, our plan creates Innovative Infrastructure. Voters approved a 20-year street levy – focusing on arterials – and the Riverfront Park redevelopment, infusing vitality into our urban core.

We invested $180 million in underground tanks to clean our river and documented being net energy positive, thanks to green energy from our Waste-to-Energy facility and Upriver Dam.

As national infrastructure is crumbling, Spokane is poised to invest $800 million over six years. We’ve aligned economic strategies for targeted growth in West Plains, Northeast Spokane, and the University District.

And finally, our focus on Spokane’s Urban Experience. Pool use increased 60 percent when we made it free. Voters approved library and school updates in partnership with Spokane Public Schools. Our Spokane Youth Card pilot with STA and SPS provided 5,300 free summer bus passes.

Job growth is up 4 percent as our Hacking Washington campaign sees businesses growing operations, attracting a diverse and talented workforce.

These achievements under One Spokane are the result of a community uniting with positive momentum and making choices – big and small – about how we invest resources. Along with Mayor Condon, we’d like to express appreciation for city staff and community members. Together, we are creating the City of Choice – a safer, smarter, and healthier Spokane poised for future success.

Theresa Sanders is the Spokane city administrator under Mayor Condon. She will retire Dec. 31.

The full report is at OneSpokanePlan.org.