(The Center Square) – Facing a $20 million deficit, Spokane County is preparing to replace the health care provider overseeing the two local jails, which could impact the general fund by as much as $16 million.
Michael Sparber, senior director of the Law and Justice division, and his team presented their options to the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday. The upcoming transition follows a letter from NaphCare in June, signaling its intent to leave Spokane under a “without cause” provision by January 1, 2026.
Spokane has contracted with Naphcare to provide services at the local jails since 2017, and extended that agreement through 2028 in January. Project Manager Ken Mohr said the letter wasn’t a surprise, and mentioned hearing “rumblings” that NaphCare wanted to leave the state amid costly settlements…