Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Monday, October 12, 2020 at 6:16 p.m.
A year that has brought unforeseen, unplanned, and unprecedented challenges to the region has also impacted City operations and finances, although not a severely as initially feared, Mayor Nadine Woodward said Monday night during the annual Statement of Conditions and Affairs.
Speaking to the City Council and viewers on City Cable 5, Woodward credited strict adherence to budget principles that allowed the City to begin the year on solid financial footing for the current relative stability. Woodward cautioned with her declaration that everyone community-wide is feeling the effects of the global pandemic and conditions are still changing.
“But now, as we are all feeling the impacts of the global pandemic as a community and city government, concern for competing demands on reserves, including covering ongoing expenses, and the long-term sustainability of that temporary stopgap will require great fiscal discipline to ensure our continued financial health,” Woodward said.
The City shifted to priority-based budgeting this year to better emphasize the need to build expenses within revenue limitations. Woodward released her preliminary budget earlier this month and expects to deliver her proposed 2021 budget to the City Council on November 2.
Woodward has also announced a Next 100 Days Plan to focus on key strategic operational areas. One of the first steps in the plan is to update the organization’s strategic plan to align priorities to the citizens and provide a clear view of the City’s future. The Next 100 Days Plan promotes collaboration between divisions, creates natural synergies centered on citizen outcomes, and focuses on the relationship and communication with the City Council.
