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Spokane County tells department heads to meet board-set target budgets as officials work to close $20 million gap
Summary
County leaders told department heads and elected officials to meet target budgets for 2026, warning that without changes the county faces an estimated $20,000,000 structural gap; discussions covered use of new budget software, handling vacant positions and limits imposed by civil service rules.
Spokane County commissioners and budget staff on Tuesday told department heads and elected officials that target budgets set by the Board must guide 2026 planning as the county works to close an estimated $20,000,000 projected budget gap.
“It's not a current year budget gap. It is if we did nothing for next year, we would have about a $20,000,000 budget gap,” said Scott, budget office staff, summarizing the county's financial projection and the rationale for earlier-than-usual budget work this year.
The target budgets issued to general fund departments are intended to hold overall spending at roughly 2025 levels while departments identify internal adjustments to absorb salary, maintenance and other cost pressures. Preliminary budget submissions are due in August and will be rolled up for the Board to review ahead of the preliminary 2026 budget in September, county staff said.
Why it matters: commissioners said meeting the targets will substantially reduce the projected…
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