Councilman Rush Works For Spokane
A good financial manager
As a financial policy leader, Richard guides city budget priorities, making wise use of tax dollars to keep city services robust even through tough economic times.
Balanced budgets in three consecutive years with precipitously falling revenues.
Avoided layoffs and maintained municipal service in spite of declining revenues.
A force in economic development
As a member of the Planning, Community and Economic Development Committee, Richard fosters private investment and economic progress, obtaining state and federal dollars for important community development projects in keeping with Spokane’s Comprehensive Plan.
- Helped create a “change of use” taskforce to remove regulatory barriers to new businesses locating in existing and historical buildings that do not meet current building or fire codes.
- Oversaw the investment of federal and state funds for low income and workforce housing.
- Invested in workforce development programs that created living wage jobs.
A leader in Spokane infrastructure.
Heading the city’s Public Works Committee, Richard directs investments in streets, bridges, water and sewer, as well as trash and wastewater disposal—infrastructure that provides the city’s economic foundations as well as good construction jobs.
Oversaw and shaped Spokane’s first utility rate study, then led the effort to adopt a new conservation rate structure for all city utility services. Those who consume less now pay less—which saves money for 60% of Spokane water utility customers.
Shaped policy that combined street bond and stormwater management budgets, saving money in projects such as the Lincoln Street reconstruction, which disposes of stormwater at two-thirds the cost of traditional treatment capacity while calming traffic, protecting the urban canopy and adding value to homes.
Secured grant funding for low impact development projects such as Hazel’s Creek, the West Broadway SURGE project and the Monroe Street SLURP project, more low impact development projects that will reduce stormwater treatment costs and better protect the Spokane River.
A technological leader
On the Information Technology Governance Committee, Richard helps guide the management of the City’s Management Information Systems Department, making city government run better and smarter.
- Reduced Human Resources management costs with a new Human Resources Management Information System that automates supervisory and payroll functions, and lets city employees see and manage their accounts.
- Designed an initiative to combine city employee cell phone accounts, cutting costs.