Spokane Progressives Reclaim Momentum with Interim Leader as $13.4M Budget Gap Emerges

Spokane City Council Appoints Interim Member Amid Budget Challenges

The Spokane City Council has taken a significant step in addressing a growing budget deficit by appointing an interim member to fill a vacancy. This decision comes as the council's progressive majority seeks to regain control of a fifth seat, following the resignation of former Councilmember Lili Navarrete on June 30. Navarrete, who previously represented District 2, now works within the city’s Community Health and Human Services Department, focusing on issues related to homelessness.

The council recently conducted interviews with four candidates for the position and ultimately voted 4-2 to appoint Shelby Lambdin, the health equity director at CHAS Health. The vote was met with opposition from two conservative council members, Jonathan Bingle and Michael Cathcart, who expressed concerns about the appointment.

During the public testimony session, resident Derek Azzaro voiced his dissatisfaction with the selection process, stating that the council is filling its ranks with individuals tied to nonprofit organizations that may not fully represent the interests of the voters. "When you do that, they have to stand on their own," he said, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency in local governance.

Many members of the progressive majority have prior experience working with nonprofit organizations, which has raised questions about how taxpayer dollars are being allocated. While Bingle and Cathcart remained silent during Monday’s meeting, they had previously voiced their opposition to Lambdin’s appointment during an agenda review meeting.

Lambdin was one of three “nonpartisan” candidates interviewed who aligned with the progressive majority. Another candidate, Chris Neely, served as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention last August, while Ryan Oelrich identified as a registered Democrat during his interview. In contrast, Kristina Sabestinas, executive director of the Cathy McMorris Rodgers Leadership Institute, represented the conservative minority. Despite this, Bingle and Cathcart opted to support Oelrich for the interim position instead.

Cathcart explained that Oelrich had previously filled a similar role in 2023, making him a more experienced choice compared to Lambdin. He argued that selecting Oelrich would save time and resources amid the ongoing budget deficit. Spokane’s latest estimates indicate a shortfall of $13.4 million, following the resolution of a $25 million budget hole earlier in the year.

Despite these concerns, Councilmember Zack Zappone supported the mayor’s proposal in December, stating that the council was “taking the administration by their word.” During his interview, Oelrich emphasized the need for a budget that avoids excessive spending and focuses on rebuilding reserves with accountability. While Lambdin also advocated for a balanced budget, she highlighted the importance of addressing public safety through funding for “upstream interventions.”

Bingle challenged the notion that Lambdin lacked an agenda, noting that the council ensured candidates aligned with their priorities before making the final decision. Lambdin did not speak during Monday’s meeting but will serve as the interim representative for the next four months until voters elect a new District 2 representative in the 2025 General Election.

“I don’t have any sort of short-term political gains that I’m trying to make out of this,” Lambdin stated during her interview. “I’m really looking towards serving our community… It’s about the constituents and making sure that we’re bringing forth policy that is representative of the constituents that we're serving.”