City of Spokane Budget

The City is in the process of developing the 2009 Budget. Mayor Mary Verner presented her proposed 2009 Budget to the City Council on Oct. 31. The budget proposal now is in the hands of the City Council, who will hold public hearings throughout November. A balanced budget must be adopted by the end of the year to comply with state law.

Mayor's Proposed 2009 Budget

Mayor Verner's proposed 2009 budget maintains current levels of service, leaves reserve funds whole, and provides for key new public safety investments mid-year, if revenue projections are realized. The Mayor's 2009 budget is part of a two-year balanced budget strategy that will provide far greater predictability for our citizens and ensure that the City can weather a longer economic downturn, if necessary.

"The City's budget is good news," says Mayor Verner. "Our careful financial planning has paid off, leaving us in a strong position to meet our customers' needs today and in the future."

If the City meets revenue projections in 2009, the Mayor has planned for the addition of six Police Officers in July and a possible additional position in the Fire Department. In January 2010, another six Police Officers are expected to be hired, filling the personnel requirements for full implementation of Chief Anne Kirkpatrick's Neighborhood Policing Plan. Another five positions in the Fire Department also would be added in January 2010 to meet additional needs.

The Mayor's proposal also includes funding for the Office of Police Ombudsman, additional money for human services grants, and funding for needs related to restructuring of Municipal Court.

She notes that voter-approved measures will restore Crime Check in January 2009, deliver six new pools in the summer, and continue curb-to-curb reconstruction work on City streets.

The Mayor filed her proposed budget on Friday, Oct. 31. The budget proposal now is in the hands of the City Council, who will hold public hearings throughout November. A balanced budget must be adopted by the end of the year to comply with state law.

2009 Proposed Budget Overview

The 2009 Proposed Budget totals $618.9 million and includes the following key components:

• A $156.6 million General Fund. This portion of the budget supports general municipal services, including police, fire, criminal justice, streets, parks, libraries, planning, community and economic development, and a host of smaller specialized services aimed at neighborhoods, youth, the arts, historic preservation, and human services, among others. The majority of this fund is supported by general tax dollars, including sales, property, and utility taxes.
• A $219.8 million Enterprise Funds Budget. These funds are supported by fees charged for services and include water, water reclamation, stormwater collection, garbage pick-up and disposal, building services and code enforcement, and golf operations. This area of the budget continues to grow because of significant capital projects in both water and water reclamation. The budget includes money citizens pay for basic services as well as rate stabilization charges that pay for capital projects. Many projects are needed to meet environmental requirements at the water reclamation plant and to reduce overflows from combined sewers.
• The balance of the overall budget—or $243 million—is used primarily for Capital Projects ($98 million), Debt Service ($20 million), and other Special Dedicated Fund expenditures. These non-operating funds are reserved for capital projects such as major arterial street projects and public works upgrades, debt service on general government bonds, and special dedicated revenue and other funds, which include local law enforcement block grants and special quality of life projects.
• The City also has "internal services" funds. These internal programs include fleet services, management information services (MIS), and risk management that charge fees to other City departments to cover the cost of their services.

See the 2009 Proposed Budget Financial Summary

See the Mayor's 2009 Proposed Budget Submittal Letter

See the Mayor's Powerpoint Presentation on the 2009 Proposed Budget

See the 2009 Proposed Budget Line Items

More information on the City's budget is available by calling the City's Finance Division at 625-6585.