On November 8^th, the City of Spokane Valley Council delayed the first reading of a proposed Utility Tax ordinance, a tax originally proposed to fund transportation and infrastructure needs.

For more than 95 years, the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce has been dedicated to a mission of serving businesses, improving community vitality, and fueling economic prosperity. Our organization understands the importance, and is passionate about, meeting infrastructure needs in the Greater Spokane Valley. We also clearly recognize the challenge faced by the City of Spokane Valley in meeting these needs within limited, if not diminishing, funding sources.

As an organization, we have not taken a position on the proposed increase in utility taxes (Ordinance NO. 16-018). We strongly believe, however, that passage of this ordinance will have significant impact on our business community.  We have elected to survey our membership and poll the community to ascertain their views on the proposed utility tax to best serve their expectations for public policy engagement by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.

This business community forum has been scheduled to provide an open dialog with the City of Spokane Valley Council on December 6^th at 7 a.m., held at Spokane Valley Tech, 115 S University Rd., Spokane Valley. The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce is taking a proactive role to give our business community an opportunity to have a voice by bringing ideas and solutions to our local government.

The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce wants business owners/operators located in the City of Spokane Valley to be informed and encourages them to make a difference by getting involved. Those planning on attending the Business Community Forum on Dec 6^th are asked to please RSVP at the register link above.

See Ordinance Attachment here.