SPOKANE, Wash. — Twenty-nine Spokane city employees are facing possible layoffs as the city works to address its $50 million budget deficit. The layoff notices were issued last week as part of the city's efforts to reduce its budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.
The city's general fund, which supports essential services such as the police and fire departments, accounts for $25 million of the overall deficit. Spokane officials estimate that laying off the 29 employees could save the city approximately $3.4 million. Combined with other cost-cutting measures, this would reduce the general fund deficit from $25 million to roughly $7.5 million.
Despite the layoffs being on the table, city spokesperson Erin Hut said no further layoffs are expected this year. However, the final decision hinges on ongoing union negotiations, the proposed community safety sales tax and the city's final budget, which is set to be passed by the city council by the end of the year.
Mayor Lisa Brown’s preliminary budget proposal, which may include the layoffs, is expected in November. When questioned about the timing of the notices, Hut explained the city wanted to provide ample time for employees to evaluate their options, consult with their unions, and understand their rights through civil service.
"We didn’t want to issue these notices right before the holiday season in November," Hut said. "We wanted to give employees time to assess their situation and prepare."
Over the summer the mayor's office asked all departments to see what a 10 percent reduction would look like. Once those impacts were reviewed, that's when the 29 positions were identified for layoffs.
All 29 employees affected by the layoff notices are union positions, with the departments most likely impacted being accounting, criminal justice and IT.
The layoffs are part of the city's broader strategy to tackle its ongoing financial challenges as it attempts to close the budget gap by the end of the fiscal year.