Spokane mayor explores additional plans to reduce city's budget deficit

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Mayor Lisa Brown continued to unveil her plans to reduce the city's budget deficit during a city budget meeting on Thursday morning.

The July 18 meeting was part of an ongoing conversation amongst city officials about how to reduce the city's current $50 million budget gap.

The city made budget adjustments this year to address the deficit. One of which was an early retirement for Spokane Police officers, approved by City Council in early July. This gives 25 officers over the age of 50 to take early retirement.

On Thursday, Mayor Brown explored the idea of an additional 10% reduction across all departments, which would result in significant job cuts. For SPD, this would chop over $9 million dollars.

Mayor Brown said that if they did the 10% cut, it would solve the structural deficit. However, she added, "I don't see a way to do that without employee level reductions and service level reductions, and that is why I believe the community sales tax proposal is an important part of getting to a more fiscal responsible place."

This proposal could mean consumers would pay $1 dollar more per $1,000 dollars of spending.

The community safety sales tax proposal would make a projected amount of at least $6.5 million in revenue for the city. This would mitigate the impact on city services, city personnel and continue to invest in community safety.

Councilmember Michael Cathcart is not a fan of the tax increase and said he hopes the Mayor's Office will continue to cooperate with City Council.

"I think there are options on the table and I am hopeful the Mayor and her team are thinking of that," said Cathcart.

City Council will discuss the safety sales tax proposal, which if passed, will be on the November ballot.

Correction: A previous version of this story listed the projected sales tax revenue as $3.6 million, rather than the correct amount of $6.5 million

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