Leaner Budget To Be Unveiled For City Council

For the first time in nearly 10 years, the city of Spokane is making major cuts to its spending plan for the coming year.

“It’s not fun times,” said City Manager Roger Crum. “And the problem is, we don’t see the next two years being any better.”

Crum plans to unveil part of the 1996 budget at tonight’s council meeting.

The unveiling includes details of the city’s general government budget, which pays for police, fire, public works and other City Hall services. It also contributes to the library, street and park funds.

A series of hearings on the budget begins Nov. 20.

Next year’s general fund spending plan is $2.5 million less than this year’s - dropping from $99.9 million to $97.4 million.

“It’s a downsized budget,” Crum said. “We’re living within the revenues we’re forecasting.”

This year’s sliding revenues forced Crum and his staff to take a hard look at next year’s budget, he said.

Early projections showed that - unless cuts were made - the city would lack $6.5 million it needed to provide the same services next year as this year.

Sales tax revenues are down. Construction is flat. Real estate sales are slacking. Jail bills are on the rise.

Balancing 1996’s budget meant cutting staff and expenses, Crum said. A balanced budget is required by state law.

Next year’s proposed budget includes dollar cuts to at least 23 departments, including police, planning, arts and affirmative action.

At least 23 staff positions included in this year’s budget won’t be there in 1996. Some of the spots have been lost to attrition, others to the city’s voluntary severance program.

“Severance has worked out real well. It’s minimized lay-offs,” Crum said.

But there are more cuts to come.

The proposed 1996 budget does include contract-negotiated salary increases for laborers, secretaries, record-keepers and professional employees at 3.25 percent.

Police and firefighter unions are in the midst of contract negotiations, which leaves a big question mark looming for next year’s budget.

The spending plan includes a proposed 3.25 percent increase for those two groups. If the ratified contracts call for more, the city’s in for even larger cuts, Crum said.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: MEETING The council meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall