Spokane County Rejects City Involvement in Animal Shelter Staffing Dispute

Spokane County and the City of Spokane are at odds over animal control operations, with recent tensions escalating following disagreements on staffing decisions. The county has firmly rejected the city's proposal to participate in selecting the next director for the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS). In a letter issued last Friday, County CEO Scott Simmons clarified that SCRAPS staff are county employees and that the city, as a client, does not hold a role in the hiring process. The correspondence also raised concerns about unresolved legal issues and recent modifications the city made to its municipal animal regulations. Simmons pointed out that some of these amendments may conflict with existing inter-local agreements and county codes, leading to uncertainty about the ongoing partnership. The current agreement, which designates SCRAPS employees as county personnel, is set to expire in December. The county has not received any renewal notice from the city, and it is preparing its 2026 budget under the assumption that Spokane may withdraw from the partnership. This ongoing dispute underscores the strained relationship between the two entities regarding a...