Washingtoner - Spokane: Mayor Brown's Budget Proposal Puts City On Path To Fiscal Sustainability

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~ Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown has presented her first budget proposal, which aims to address the city's structural deficit and put it on a path towards fiscal sustainability. The budget also tackles important issues such as public safety, homelessness, and the opioid crisis, while identifying cost-saving measures to meet community needs.

The City of Spokane has faced financial challenges in recent years, with one-time funds being used for long-term investments and unallocated reserves being depleted by $12.3 million. Additionally, funding sources for long-term capital projects were used to fill budget gaps. As a result, Mayor Brown inherited a projected deficit of $25 million for 2025 and $50 million over the 2025-2026 biennium.

Over the past 11 months, Mayor Brown and her team have worked diligently to identify efficiencies and make targeted reductions in order to present a balanced budget for each year and the biennium. The proposed budget also ensures that unallocated reserve levels are not only maintained but enhanced, and funding sources for long-term capital projects are restored.

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"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," said Mayor Brown. She also acknowledged the hard work and dedication of her team and city workforce whose sacrifices have been essential in achieving this progress.

Chief Financial Officer Matt Boston emphasized that crafting a balanced budget goes beyond just numbers; it is about ensuring the city's financial health while aligning resources with community needs. He added that this budget reflects their commitment to fiscal responsibility and lays a solid foundation for sustainable growth and improved resources.

A copy of Mayor Brown's 2025-2026 budget can be found attached with this release. It includes an overview of the budget (PDF 955 KB) as well as the mayor's budget message (PDF 445 KB). With this proposed budget, Mayor Brown and her administration are taking a proactive approach to address the city's financial challenges and set it on a path towards a brighter future.

Filed Under: Government, City

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