Commissioner Amber Waldref

08/27/2026

08/27/2026

So excited to cut the ribbon on 240 new affordable housing units in the Spokane Valley with the Spokane Housing Authority, the Inland group, state and local leaders and residents. This was an innovative public private partnership to build these homes within a year under budget and on time. Thank you to US Senator Maria Cantwell for being an advocate for the low income housing tax credits, which made this project possible! And there’s going to be a childcare facility built on site! Spokane County Senator Maria Cantwell Spokane Housing Authority

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

NEW HOURS! The Spokane Wildfire Donation and Distribution Center at Northtown Mall will have new hours beginning Tuesday, August 25.
• Pick-up supplies for families impacted by the fires – 12-7 p.m.
• Drop-off of new supplies (see flyer): 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

08/25/2026

Opportunities to provide input on the data center pause and draft ordinance are below, starting with the Spokane County Planning Commission meeting this Thursday at 4:30pm.

Spokane County Commissioners and Planning Commission Announce Dates for Public Hearings on Data Centers

On August 18, 2026, the Spokane County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved imposing a pause on land use and permit applications for Data Centers until December 15, 2026. The pause provides time for the Planning Department to draft a zoning text amendment for review by the Planning Commission. The pause also provides opportunities to gather public input concerning both the pause and the draft zoning amendment.

📅Public Meeting/Hearing Schedule
Thursday, August 27th at 4:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Workshop in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room (lower level of Public Works Building at 1026 W. Broadway Ave.)

📅Tuesday, September 15th at 2:00 p.m.
County Commissioners’ Public Hearing concerning the pause in Data Center land use and permit applications in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room.

🖊️Written testimony should be mailed to:
Spokane County Commissioners
1116 W. Broadway Avenue
Spokane, WA 99260

🗣️Those testifying will be allowed three minutes and be limited to addressing the pause in Data Center land use and permit applications.

📅Thursday, September 17th at 9:00 a.m.
Planning Commission work session on Data Center zoning code in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room.

📅Thursday, October 15th at 4:30 p.m.
Planning Commission Public Hearing on proposed Data Center Zoning Code in the County Commissioners’ Hearing Room.

08/25/2026

Check out the early edition of my September newsletter for updated wildfire resources, dates for public input on the data center pause and draft zoning amendment, and discount tickets to the Spokane Interstate Fair! https://mailchi.mp/spokanecounty/wildfireresourcesdatacenterpause

08/25/2026

Excelsior Wellness and 2nd Harvest have partnered as a resource hub for residents in the Indian Trail area who have been impacted by the fires.

The resource hub is located on the Excelsior Wellness campus and will be open through this week.

08/24/2026

Cash assistance is available from the State Individual Assistance Program if you suffered damages from the Spokane Complex Wildfire.

Apply in person at:

SCOPE North
33 E Lincoln Rd, #203
Wed, August 19th - Wed, September 9th
Open: 10AM - 7PM

08/22/2026

Paws up if your pup needs a spay/neuter!

SCRAPS is excited to host the next SNIP event, where SNIP will be offering 100 free dog spay/neuter surgeries on August 30!

Spots fill fast — register at www.SpokaneSnip.com. Please do not call SCRAPS for appointments.

Flyer with full details is attached!

08/19/2026

Spokane County Commissioners Chris Jordan and Amber Waldref Commend Passage of County Data Center Moratorium

SPOKANE COUNTY, WA – Today, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a four-month pause on the acceptance and processing of County building permits for data centers. The pause, which has the same legal effect as a moratorium, will cover the unincorporated areas of Spokane County. Commissioners Jordan and Waldref first proposed a data center moratorium on July 21st, 2026.
“Today’s vote assures that no data center permits will be issued while a much needed community conversation occurs over the next several months to shape rules that protect Spokane County utility ratepayers, natural resources, and neighborhoods,” said Commissioner Jordan.
During the meeting, Commissioner Jordan credited the thousands of constituents who contacted the County Commissioners in recent weeks with helping achieve a unanimous Commission vote despite initial hesitancy by several Board members.
The moratorium is set to expire on December 15, 2026 and can be extended if more time is needed. In the interim, the County’s Planning Commission will lead a formal Zoning Text Amendment process that will include multiple public hearings and meetings to examine potential regulations on data centers before the Board of County Commissioners makes a final decision.
“I initially proposed a nine-month moratorium and am skeptical four months is enough time to develop a thoughtful policy for Spokane County’s future,” said Commissioner Waldref. “However, this pause is a good starting point. I encourage members of the public to stay engaged and share their thoughts and ideas with the Planning Commission in the coming months.”