Erin Hut, Director of Communications ehut@spokanecity.org
Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Noon
Today, Mayor Lisa Brown unveiled her Administration’s first budget proposal, which resolves the City of Spokane’s structural deficit and puts the city back on a path to fiscal sustainability.
The mayor’s budget accomplishes this while also addressing key issues like public safety, homelessness, and the opioid crisis, while simultaneously identifying budget-neutral efficiencies to deliver on key community needs.
In recent years, the City of Spokane’s financial health has deteriorated. One-time funds were repeatedly used for long-term investments, unallocated reserves were depleted by $12.3 million, and funding sources for long-term capital investments were used to fill the gaps.
This meant Mayor Brown inherited a projected 2025 General Fund deficit of $25 million and $50 million over the 2025-2026 biennium. Through identifying efficiencies and targeting reductions over the past 11 months, the mayor’s proposed budget:
“I am excited to put forward a budget that is not only balanced, but puts the City of Spokane back on track to fiscal stability, all while making critical investments in our collective future,” Mayor Brown said. “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my team and our workforce whose sacrifices and efforts have been essential in making this progress possible.”
“Crafting a balanced budget is about more than numbers – it is about ensuring the City’s financial health while aligning resources with community needs,” said Chief Financial Officer Matt Boston. “This budget reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and lays a solid foundation for sustainable growth and improved resources.”
A copy of Mayor Brown’s 2025-2026 budget is attached with this release.
