Mayor Dennis Hession filed his proposed 2007 City of Spokane Budget on Monday, Oct. 30.
For 2007, the Mayor has developed a strategic budget that’s designed to create long-term financial health and stability for the City. The budget avoids new embedded costs and includes substantial savings for challenges anticipated in 2008.
At the same time, the proposal includes a handful of key investments designed to help our economy continue to grow and prosper. There also remains strong emphasis on the quality services our citizens deserve and expect from their city government.
“Today we are preaching a message of conservative budgeting,” says Mayor Hession. “While the City has benefited from strong revenue growth this year—particularly in the area of sales tax—we are advocating savings and limited growth in government.”
In addition, he notes, the City is engaged in a comprehensive Efficiency and Effectiveness Study that will provide a way to determine where new investment is needed and how to more effectively use our annual resources. Results from that study are expected in late December.
Once the Mayor files his budget today, the Spokane City Council will formally begin its budget evaluation process. Public hearings on the budget will be held during the Council’s regular Monday evening meetings throughout November. The City Council must adopt a balanced 2007 budget prior to the end of the year.
