Longtime city councilwoman Pam Haley was chosen as Spokane Valley’s new mayor Tuesday night.
Unlike the city of Spokane, voters don’t directly choose Spokane Valley’s mayor. They vote for city council members, who select a mayor from among themselves. The mayor runs meetings and is the public face of the city.
Pam Haley received four out of seven votes for mayor. She owns a childcare business and has been a member of the city council since she was appointed in 2016. Haley is one of four more conservative council members who won a majority of city council seats this fall.
She replaces Ben Wick, who is still a city council member. Wick is one of three more moderate council members, and was nominated for the top spot, but lost to Haley.
Councilman Rod Higgins will be deputy mayor. He was last mayor in 2019 and has served as a city councilman since 2013. He replaces councilwoman Brandi Peetz, who is also still a member of the city council.
The Spokane Valley City Council also hired a city manager. Former City Manager Mark Calhoun recently retired, and city council members appointed deputy city manager John Hohman to his position.
