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Sunnyside forecasts $2 million general‑fund shortfall; council weighs hiring freeze and outsourcing dispatch
Summary
Finance Director Monica Hofstetter told the Sunnyside City Council the proposed 2026 budget shows a large general‑fund deficit and recommended a hiring freeze, reallocating staff and outsourcing the city’s dispatch center to save money. Councilors asked for more detail and a follow‑up meeting with Yakima County dispatch.
Sunnyside Finance Director Monica Hofstetter told the City Council on Nov. 14 that the city faces a substantial budget gap in the general fund after a review of accounting records and recent years’ allocations. "There was still a $2,000,000 deficit in the general fund," Hofstetter said, summarizing the results of a five‑year examination of line items and allocations.
The shortfall led Hofstetter and staff to propose immediate cost‑saving steps: a hiring freeze on nonessential positions, reassigning employees where…
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