City of Spokane Valley
Albert Merkel currently serves as a Spokane Valley City Councilman, representing residents in managing city affairs and legislative functions. With a varied background, Merkel has experience as an Emergency Substitute Teacher at Central Valley School District and as a Financial Officer and Co-Owner at Dees Dog Grooming, where Albert developed a significant business plan and secured a large SBA loan. Previously, Merkel was engaged in multiple roles within financial management and contract negotiation, including serving as Chief Financial Officer and Acting CEO at Sequoia Detox Centers and as a Senior Contracts Negotiator at Centene Corporation. Merkel's extensive experience in operations and procurement is complemented by a robust educational background, holding three degrees from Whitworth University in Mathematics, Political Science and Government, and Mathematical Economics.
City of Spokane Valley
The City of Spokane Valley, located near the eastern border of Washington State, has a population of 102,976 (2020) and is the 9th largest city in the state. The City was incorporated on March 31, 2003. At that time, it was the largest incorporation in the state, and the second largest single incorporation in U.S. history. Spokane Valley is a scenic, family-friendly community with extensive recreational opportunities, including 11 city parks, three pools, open spaces for hiking, and 12 miles of paved trails for walking and biking. The beautiful Spokane River meanders through the city, offering ample opportunities for residents to enjoy a day on the river via paddle, kayak or raft. The city encompasses approximately 38.5 square miles of land, with room for residential, commercial and industrial expansion. The city sits adjacent to Interstate 90 and two main rail lines and is home to several large business parks. Its location and resources provide unique opportunities for companies seeking to grow their industrial and commercial manufacturing facilities and/or distribution services. There retail sector in Spokane Valley is thriving; slightly under 12,000 businesses are registered to operate within the city. The city has an extensive retail tax base and is home to several major auto dealerships and the Spokane Valley Mall, which includes over 700,000 square feet of gross lease-able floor area. The city had an estimated taxable retail sales of $2,910,785,672 in 2020. The city's property tax levy rate for 2021 is $1.101432 per thousand dollars of valuation. Total property tax levy amounts vary by district. The city has an 8.9% sales tax rate. Public transit service in the region is provided by Spokane Transit Authority. The City operates under the city manager form of government. The city's Mayor serves for two years and is elected by the City Councilmembers. Learn more about Spokane Valley at www.SpokaneValleyWA.gov.