(The Center Square) – Facing a $3.8 million shortfall ahead of 2026, budget officials told the Spokane City Council on Thursday that if the city doesn’t course correct, the deficit may surpass $137 million by 2030.
Last week, Matt Boston, the city’s chief financial officer, told the council that revenue growth was falling short of projections. Sales tax collections for the first two months of the year came in 2% below last year’s goal, raising concerns about a mounting deficit as consumer confidence falls.
Spokane balanced a $25 million deficit last December, hoping the 2025-2026 budget would end their anxiety, but now cuts are back on the table. The $3.8 million deficit outlined Thursday relies on a 3% historical average for revenue growth, meaning the deficit will grow if the city falls short…