Spokane City Council Votes on Modification For 2026 City Budget
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~ Spokane City Council Approves Mid-Biennial Budget Modification with Emphasis on Essential Initiatives

The Spokane City Council has voted 5-2 in favor of the 2025-2026 Mid-Biennial Modification Budget, which includes an amendment proposed by Council President Betsy Wilkerson and Council Member Paul Dillon. The amendment prioritizes minimal staff cuts and allocates funds to crucial city services such as the library, City Cable 5, and the public defender's office.

Council President Wilkerson released a statement early Monday morning expressing her appreciation for the collaboration between the council and Mayor Brown's administration in revising the budget. She also acknowledged the sacrifices made by both the council and other city departments in order to reallocate funds to essential initiatives that may have otherwise been underfunded.

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Council Member Paul Dillon also expressed his gratitude for the compromise and collaboration that went into this budget modification. He emphasized that in a year where difficult decisions had to be made, this amendment supports the mutual goal of restoring libraries while minimizing cuts to labor. He believes that this balanced approach will set them up for success in the next biennium.

The City Council adopted a two-year biennial budget process in June 2024, which went into effect on January 1, 2025. This is their first biennial budget, and according to state law, a mid-biennial adjustment is allowed. The modification will amend the biennial budget effective January 1, 2026, and includes necessary changes to revenue projections and expenditures for 2026. These changes are crucial for the city to meet its statutory obligation of providing a balanced budget.

With this approval of the mid-biennial budget modification, Spokane City Council has shown their commitment to prioritizing essential initiatives while also ensuring a balanced budget for their community.

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