Spokane City Council Votes on Modification For 2026 City Budget

The Spokane City Council approved a 5-2 vote on the 2025-2026 Mid-Biennial Modification Budget, which focuses on minimizing staff cuts while allocating funds to essential services like the library, City Cable 5, and the public defender’s office. Council President Betsy Wilkerson emphasized the collaborative effort with the Brown Administration in revising the budget. She stated that sacrifices were made to reallocate funds to critical initiatives that may have faced underfunding. Council Member Paul Dillon remarked on the importance of supporting libraries amid difficult budgetary choices. In June 2024, the City Council adopted a biennial budget process to enhance financial planning, effective January 1, 2025.

This mid-biennial modification aligns with state law and ensures a balanced budget going into 2026. The changes are necessary for meeting statutory obligations and reflect the council's commitment to essential services. This budget will set the groundwork for future discussions and planning for the next biennium.