City of Spokane Valley Proposed Utility Increase Survey

We feel it is critical to inform our community stakeholders of key items that may have significant impact on business in the Greater Spokane Valley.

On November 1st, the City of Spokane Valley met for a "Request for Council Action" to specifically discuss increasing Utility Taxes as a means to fund current and projected deficits in the City's transportation and infrastructure programs. The only utility tax currently in existence for the city of Spokane Valley is a 6% Telephone Tax that was put into effect in 2008. With the passage of this Ordinance (NO. 16-018), additional taxes of 6% (on the gross income from sales) would be imposed on Electrical Distribution, Solid Waste Disposal, Sanitary Sewer, Water Distribution and Natural Gas. By keeping the tax increase at a 6% level, a public vote is not necessary for the measure to be passed and implemented by the Council. If Ordinance NO. 16-018 were to be voted on, and passed, at the November 15th meeting, the new taxes would take effect on January 16, 2017. The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce strongly believes that the passage of this ordinance will have a significant impact on our business community.

Please take a few minutes to answer the following survey to help us gain a greater understanding and best support your needs. Feel free to pass this survey onto other businesses in the area. Responses are requested by NOON, November 8, 2016 for inclusion in the November 8 Council meeting discussion. Responses after this date will be included in our December forum with the Council.