SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane County commissioners approved a balanced 2026 budget this week without raising the county portion of property taxes. County leaders said services will continue as usual, but residents will see increases in waste management fees.

The week before the budget’s adoption, Spokane County’s regional solid waste system announced a 4% increase in garbage rates and a 10% increase for yard waste, effective Jan. 1. A new $30 special handling fee for certain appliances will also be implemented.

Commissioner Josh Kerns said the waste management fee increase is separate from the county’s general fund budget. He explained that the system operates as an “enterprise fund,” essentially a self-funded business unit that must cover its own expenses.

“They operate as a business. And s

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