Also looks to support new opportunities in jobs, economic growth
Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Monday, August 31, 2015 at 11:54 a.m.
Spokane Mayor David Condon announced a 2016 Program Budget proposal today that leverages progress through alignment to community priorities to support new opportunities to drive jobs and economic growth.
Public safety, street improvements, and integrated utilities, streets and parks solutions to get to a cleaner river faster are again at the core of the proposed budget, which also emphasizes support for job and economic growth. The proposal projects an $810.8 million total City budget, including a general fund budget of $176.8 million, and assumes 2.9 percent growth in revenue.
“Next year is an opportunity to look toward the future as we leverage the hard work and accomplishments that have aligned revenue and expenses without the need for reductions,” Condon said.
The Program Budget proposal is available at spokanecity.org by clicking the budget tile. Information is available by division and as a complete downloadable document. A build-your-own-budget tool is available by clicking the link on the page or by going directly to MySpokaneBudget.org. Feedback can be submitted directly from MySpokaneBudget.org or by email to budget@spokanecity.org.
Public safety, always a top community priority, has been a critical focus area and will be again next year. Crime dropped double digits last year and is down 12 percent more than halfway through this year.
Next year’s budget invests in police and fire equipment and training to give first responders the most up-to-date tools to help those who need it. Resources are also committed to expanding innovative fire and emergency medical solutions, improving service in the southwest area of the city, additions to emergency medical services citywide, and partnerships that stress prevention, gaining system efficiencies and leveraging community resources for better outcomes.
Investments in street improvements, another community priority area, will increase to $46 million, up from $25 million this year. Another $67 million is budgeted for utility and infrastructure work to get to a cleaner river faster while making additional street, trail and open space enhancements. Replenishing money set aside for emergencies and unforeseen opportunities will also be an area of emphasis.
Progress improving core City services in recent years creates new opportunities to support job and economic growth. The budget includes catalytic investments in critical infrastructure and strategic capital to jump-start private investment in target areas, and emphasizes strategic investments in the depth of the community’s workforce and people.
The City will seek feedback over the next several weeks and continue discussions with the City Council to identify additional ways to further maximize the financial resources that deliver services.
“Keeping resources aligned to priorities and providing critical services is a collaborative process with the community and City Council,” Condon said. “Engagement and dialogue will keep crime dropping, improve fire and emergency medical response, enhance street, and grow new opportunities for Spokane to be successful.”
