Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director, 509.625.6226
Friday, July 14, 2023 at 4:26 p.m.
Following a unanimous vote to approve the Spokane Police Guild Fund, City Council Members now eagerly await a snapshot of the proposed 2024 budget from the Mayor and the Administration.
“For the Council to make sound and responsible decisions regarding the budget, we need to look at the Administration's fiscal plans,” said Finance Chair Council Member Betsy Wilkerson. “We have a Regional Homeless Coalition waiting on us to provide our plans, and we cannot move forward without having a glimpse into the City’s budget for 2024. Waiting until October to present a budget does not allow Council to pivot if needed. We’re a fiscally conservative council, and to make fiscally precise decisions, we simply request a forecast of the 2024 budget to adhere to our comprehensive city plans and initiatives.”
According to the Washington State RCW 35.33.051, the Administration must submit their preliminary budget by the first working day in October each year (In 2023, October 2nd). Council is requesting an earlier preview to understand any anticipated financial pressure points for 2024. Council approved an increased public safety overtime budget for both Police and Fire during the 2023 budget process but raised red flags about Police exceeding that budget earlier in the year. According to Council's Budget Director, Matt Boston, the Administration has changed their May projections of a $500k surplus in 2023 to nearly a $9 million deficit. In 2024, this deficit is anticipated to increase further and does not consider the funding needed to operate the Trent Resource Assistance Center (TRAC) shelter, which has $16 million in operation costs to date, nor the unfunded request of Police and Fire vehicles.
“I am proud to have championed the effort requiring that more-timely budget information is shared with the City Council sooner in the year and establishing the mid-year supplemental budget process setting the City of Spokane up for success in our year-end budget decision-making process,” said Council Member Michael Cathcart. “Transparency allows this Council to become better stewards of taxpayer funds, lead with flexibility, and honor commitments made to the community. Our intent is that the Administration continues to make financial investments in our constituents’ core priorities while paving the way for sustainable fiscal decisions.”
About the Spokane City Council
The City Council is the legislative body of the City of Spokane, which is home to more than 220,000 people and is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest. The City’s 2,000 employees strive to deliver efficient and effective services that facilitate economic opportunity and enhance the quality of life for all our citizens. For more information, visit SpokaneCity.org/CityCouncil/ and follow us @SpokaneCityCouncil on Facebook.
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