SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown unveiled her Administration’s budget proposal for 2025-2026 on Saturday, Nov. 2.
The proposal seeks to resolve the City of Spokane’s structural deficit and puts the city back on a path to fiscal sustainability.
According to a press release from the city, the budget also addresses key issues like public safety, homelessness and the opioid crisis, while also identifying budget-neutral efficiencies to deliver on key community needs.
“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.”
The city says Mayor Brown is working to reshape the city's financial health after inheriting a projected 2025 General Fund deficit of $25 million and $50 million by 2026.
In early September of 2024, Mayor Brown announced two cost-saving measures after her administration worked to identify and target cost reduction. Following those identifications, the Administration says it is proposing a budget that focuses on:
- Balance for each year and the next two years
- Ensuring unallocated reserve levels are not only maintained but enhanced
Restoring funding sources for long-term capital projects
“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.”
The budget overview as well as the Mayor's statement to the City Council can be read in full here.