Spokane park staff outline plan to spend new levy over 20 years; $9.5 million expected in 2026

Park staff laid out a plan on Nov. 13 to spend the $240 million parks levy Spokane voters approved, telling the Park Board the funds will be delivered as steady annual revenue rather than a one‑time bond.

Nick Hammond, who led the presentation, said the levy generates roughly $12 million a year on average over 20 years and that the city expects about $9.5 million to arrive for parks in 2026. "The difference between a levy and a bond is significant," Hammond said, noting that levy funds will be distributed in two property‑tax payments each year rather than received in a lump sum.

Hammond described a three‑year operational ramp‑up for staff. He said the plan calls for roughly one‑third of the operational staff enhancements in 2026, two‑thirds in the following year and full staffing by year three, with rangers prioritized for earlier hiring. He added that about three‑quarters of next year’s levy revenue is expected to go to capital projects while the remainder will fund operational enhancements.

The staff framework sets four criteria for selecting projects: park conditions (need), community need assessments (what residents asked for), access/equity (prioritizing parks with little recent investment), and opportunity (grants or partnerships). Hammond said staff will use a project‑prioritization matrix and will map proposed projects on the Together Spokane site so residents can see where work is planned and provide input.

Hammond cautioned that the board cannot complete all projects immediately. "We can't do $240,000,000 worth of work all at once," he said, adding that smaller, widespread repairs could begin in spring while larger projects will move forward in staged cycles — with a goal of beginning one major park project every two years.

Hammond told the board the staff will return in December with a specific, location‑level list of proposed projects and that some projects should be ready for bid by January. The first levy payment is expected in May 2026; staff aim to encumber work quickly once funds arrive.

Next steps: staff will present a project list and maps at the December meeting, begin recruitment for needed positions, and report progress publicly via the Together Spokane website.