(The Center Square) – Spokane County closed a $20 million deficit on Monday by cutting 120 jobs and projecting sales tax growth to pick up speed again next year, avoiding any tax hikes in the meantime.
The county saw sales tax revenues increase by an average of 3.9% from 2000 to 2024. Things slowed down as the pandemic began, with that rolling average spiking in 2021 before falling to a 1.3% annual increase in 2024. The plateau required the Board of County Commissioners to readjust last December.
The officials cut general fund spending by around 8% heading into 2025 after it jumped nearly 20% in 2024. However, rather than budget flat or reduce spending further, general fund expenditures will rise to $282 million next year under Monday’s 2026 budget, only about $2 million shy of that back in 2024…