Spokane council swears in three members, appoints youth member and approves new fire chief

Council President Betsy Wilkerson used the council's Jan. 12 recap to announce several personnel changes and a forthcoming special meeting. She said the city "had the privilege to host Judge Bridal Beggs to swear in our newly elected council members" and named Zapone, Telus and Dixon as the newly sworn members.

Wilkerson also announced the council appointed a youth board member to the Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Board and encouraged young residents to participate: "If you are a young person in our city, we want to hear your voice." The transcript did not provide the youth appointee's name.

On public safety leadership, Wilkerson said the council approved Tom Williams as the new fire chief for the Spokane Fire Department and praised him: "Tom will do an outstanding job, and we welcome him." The announcement did not include details about Williams's prior post or the effective date of his appointment.

Wilkerson said the council scheduled a special legislative meeting "at 1PM on Thursday" to consider council appointments for 2026 and to address a grant agreement for federal funding for police that had been deferred from Jan. 12; the transcript did not identify the specific federal program or grant number. The announcement left next steps procedural: the special meeting will be the forum for formal consideration and any votes.

Actions reported from the Jan. 12 recap include the swearing-in ceremony for three council members (Zapone; Telus; Dixon); the appointment of a youth member to the Climate Resiliency and Sustainability Board (appointee name not specified); and the approval of Tom Williams as Spokane Fire Department chief.