Post Falls mayor reviews the previous year

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

POST FALLS — This year's signs of progress should have spillover effect into 2018, Post Falls' mayor told chamber of commerce members on Tuesday.

Mayor Ron Jacobson, who is completing his first term as mayor and starts his second in January, delivered his State of the City address during the nonprofit's Connect4Lunch at Red Lion Templin's Hotel.

"I'm optimistic about our future," he said.

Post Falls issued 326 single-family building permits through the first 10 months of this year compared to 298 a year ago. Jacobson said while the growth is rapid, he's thankful it's not at the pace of 2005 during the boom period.

The city had issued 12 multi-family permits consisting of 229 living units through the end of October.

Jacobson said he expects the multi-family trend to continue in 2018 as there are seven such projects with a valuation of $12 million in the review process.

Post Falls has 26 active subdivisions, including six new ones.

"We are growing," he said, adding that people believe Post Falls is a great place to live and raise a family.

Jacobson spoke about projections that the population could jump from about 34,000 to around 90,000 in 20 years.

He said that projection was for planning purposes and he doesn't foresee that actually occurring.

"I don't want to see that level of growth and I honestly don't think we will," he said.

Jacobson said the council considers each project carefully and recently denied a project along Highway 41 due to traffic concerns.

The mayor praised city administrators and department heads for a fine job of running the city, including refraining from a tax increase for fiscal 2018.

The wastewater department is wrapping up the $14 million first phase of upgrades to the treatment facility.

The city, which is in the process of updating its comprehensive plan to guide future growth, has purchased about 500 acres along the Spokane River for both recreation and future land application.

Parks projects included expanding Evergreen Cemetery and rehabilitating Sportsman's Park.

Jacobson said creating a vibrant city center with restaurants, breweries, offices and other small businesses will remain a focus in 2018.

He said he expects more activity in the former Post Falls Landing site after the marina sold this year.

Across Spokane Street, the city recently completed a small land swap with Kootenai County that will create a future business along the busy stretch and provide needed parking for the county.

Jacobson recognized several people during his speech, including Police Chief Scot Haug, who will retire in April; outgoing City Council Member Betty Ann Henderson, who has served on the board for the past eight years; Realtor Gary Schneidmiller, who donated a fountain at Evergreen Cemetery in honor of his late mother, Gladys Schneidmiller; and School Resource Officer Brett Chapman, who was credited for saving a person's life twice after the resident headed down the path of drugs.