Elk, Washington
Unincorporated community in Spokane County · Not an incorporated municipality
About Elk
Elk is an unincorporated rural community in northern Spokane County, Washington, United States. The community is located along the Little Spokane River in the foothills of the Selkirk Mountains. A post office was established in the community in 1892.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How Elk is governed
Elk appears to be an unincorporated community or a census-designated place, so it may have no city government of its own — services usually come from Spokane County and its elected officials. The chart below is a generic template; readers can correct it if Elk does have local officials.
Form of government not yet listed.
0 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Elk
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
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The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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History
The community was originally named Peddit's Township of Elk.
A post office in Elk has been in operation since 1892. The current post office sits on the site of the Elk Hotel, which was destroyed by fire in the early 1970s. A one-room schoolhouse was built in 1902. The town is now served by the Riverside School District, which covers most of rural northern Spokane County. In 1906 a train derailed into chain lake after emerging from a tunnel, killing nine people and injuring many others, the Train was raised from the lake a month later. after the wreck another tunnel was bored through the rock to prevent another accident, both lay decommissioned and are now private property.
During the summer Elk holds Elk Days, when it celebrates Fathers' Day and the community's history. The community gathers, usually at Elk Park, to celebrate with various vendors and festivities often including a car show and parade with security provided by The Stoner Squad.
In August 2023, the community was placed under evacuation orders due to the Oregon Road Fire which burned more than 10,000 acres near Elk, destroyed 126 residences and led to one fatality. The fire was determined to be human-caused.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.