City of Spokane Valley
Rod Higgins has extensive experience in government and business sectors, currently serving as a City Councilman for the City of Spokane Valley since 2013, emphasizing that government should facilitate rather than hinder personal freedom. As a business owner at Aurum Business Services, Higgins enhances entrepreneurial initiatives. Previously, Higgins held various leadership roles including Planning Commissioner for the Spokane Valley Planning Commission and Executive Director at the International Society of Mine Safety Professionals, directing operational functions and navigating regulatory issues. Additional experience includes supervising operations at the United States Postal Service, providing HR consulting at Geotemps, and managing administration and government affairs at Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation. Higgins' career began in agriculture as CFO of Sequim Valley Farms, following the completion of a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from the University of Idaho.
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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.