SPOKANE, Wash. — Facing a projected $13 million deficit in Spokane’s general fund, Mayor Lisa Brown has unveiled a proposed budget that includes staff reductions and a new tax aimed at stabilizing city finances.
The proposal would eliminate nearly 20 positions citywide, which is fewer than the 30 to 50 cuts that had previously been anticipated. According to the mayor’s proposed budget, the reductions would primarily affect the Community and Economic Development division, which would lose 19 positions. The mayor’s office itself would cut four positions.
Police and Fire departments would also see a small number of administrative positions removed, though the plan does not include any cuts to uniformed personnel…