Debate topic: How much population growth to expect
Spokane Public Radio
When it comes to estimating population and job growth, elected officials from Spokane County communities don’t want to be too optimistic, nor do they want to be too pessimistic. They prefer growth estimates done by a consulting firm hired by the Spokane Regional Transportation Commission, not those from state government forecasters.
Intermountain Demographics, hired by the area’s transportation planning agency, predicts Spokane County will grow by 122,000 people between now and 2030.
That’s 95,000 fewer than Washington’s Office of Financial Management forecasts for Spokane County in the same period.
The differing forecasts could be a crucial factor in the future Spokane County urban growth area – that part of the county open to future home and business growth.
Two County Commissioners like the bigger numbers because they justify enlarging the growth area. County Commissioner Mark Richard, who formerly headed the local Homebuilders Association, holds the view that tight urban growth boundaries artificially limit people’s choices in housing and lot sizes.
Local city officials, however, see things differently.
Spokane City Councilman Al French argues too big a growth area encourages growth away from city centers. He says growth inside city limits brings the tax revenue needed by cash-strapped city budgets.
Spokane County’s Growth Management Steering Committee, made up mostly of elected city officials, has adopted the more conservative Intermountain Demographics forecast. But their recommendation is not binding on County Commissioners. They still have final say on growth area boundaries.