Spokane County low on options if juvenile, jails operations tax fails to renew

(The Center Square) – Spokane County is certifying the primary election results tomorrow but already has its sights on November ahead of an anticipated battle over tax proposals with the City of Spokane.

Both municipalities will have sales tax proposals on the general election ballot, though the county’s is a renewal for detention services, while the city’s would help mitigate its structural deficit. If the city succeeds and the county fails, it could have major consequences for both.

Still, Juvenile Court Administrator Tori Peterson told the county commissioners on Monday that she wouldn’t know what to cut first. State law requires the county to provide sufficient funding for juvenile detention services, leaving little to no options for cuts if the county fails to pass the renewal.

“Mental health or nursing,” Peterson said, listing the legally viable options, “and those are critical … I just wouldn’t make those cuts.”

While Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kerns is still optimistic about the renewal passing, he and others agreed that they need to consider the options if it doesn’t. Peterson listed mental health and nursing services as a potential cut. Still, the alternative would be taking individuals to the emergency room instead, which could happen often and, in turn, be much more expensive.

The commissioners noted a need for another budget discussion centered on areas they could cut to maintain Detention Services’ current operating level. The deliberation would occur after the county had already eliminated various vacant positions due to shortfalls.

The budget constraints are only a caveat to a more significant issue: the lack of capacity in existing facilities. Last November, another tax measure failed that would have funded the construction of a new adult facility, though the commissioners have noted the issue at the juvenile level as well.

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels has repeatedly called for more emphasis on funding new facilities given the lack of capacity; but even if the tax were brought up for another vote and passed, it would likely take upwards of a decade to plan, design and build the new jail.

While the adult facility is often at a red-light status, meaning that officers must wait for someone to be released before intaking a new inmate, juvenile referrals are also increasing.

Peterson provided data during Monday’s meeting that noted felony offenses committed by juveniles increased by 25% from 2022 to 2023. She said misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors also increased by approximately 44% during that time frame.

“Reducing the budget is not an option for juvenile [detention] because it’s required by the state for us to provide it,” said Scott Simmons, Spokane County’s chief executive officer. “The cuts would have to come from other places.”