The Spokane Park Board voted Dec. 11 to accept a one-time 5% reduction in the 2025 general fund transfer to cover code-enforcement litter-control and abatement work performed within parks. The motion, moved by Bob (speaker 11), included the understanding that Parks intends to take ownership of that cleanup work by 2027.

Background: Finance staff said parks faced a complex interfund issue: a State Auditor finding and Washington RCW guidance mean a general fund cannot benefit from another general fund. The city’s centralized code-enforcement “hot team” has performed litter control and abatement across city properties for several years; city staff calculated roughly 15% of that team’s work occurs in parks and estimated parks’ share at about $730,000 in 2026 if charged in full.

Board decision and rationale: After discussion about process, timing and staffing, the board approved the one-time reduction by voice vote. Members emphasized the importance of preserving the park board’s charter authority while working collaboratively with city administration to transition services. Several board members said the parks department will seek to reabsorb the work using rangers and operations staff by 2027 and that any 2026 carry cost will be managed as a partnership with the mayor’s office and administration.

Related budget action: Finance staff then proposed a parks budget amendment for 2026 that reduces capital funding from the Parks Fund by about $450,000 (leaving roughly $300,000 for capital outlay) to close a projected $473,000 deficit; the board approved the amended 2026 parks budget by voice vote. Staff said levy funds, grants and private donations will be the primary capital funding sources going forward and that reducing Parks Fund capital in 2026 preserves reserves while allowing top-off maintenance work.

Next steps: Staff will track interfund charges, work with the administration to phase transfer of litter-control duties to Parks (timeline tied to hiring rangers and maintenance staff), and report back to finance and the full board on transition progress.