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Spokane Valley council approves 2025 budget amendment and adopts $148.4 million 2026 budget
Summary
Council approved Ordinance 25‑015 amending the 2025 budget (one councilmember opposed) and adopted Ordinance 25‑017, the 2026 budget totaling $148.4 million; staff described reserves, FTE counts, and key capital priorities including bridge design work.
The Spokane Valley City Council approved two budget measures on Dec. 9: a second‑reading amendment to the 2025 budget and adoption of the 2026 budget.
Finance Director Chelsea Walls told the council the 2025 amendment (Ordinance 25‑015) affects 14 city funds with approximately $7.8 million in revenue decreases across 11 funds and $17.7 million in expenditure decreases in 13 funds. Council discussed a $100,000 design allocation for bridge work described as an upper‑limit budgetary item; Public Works staff said they are pursuing permanent, cost‑effective concrete box structures rather than repeatedly replacing timber members.
Councilmember Merkel said she had raised objections to this amendment previously and announced she would vote against it; the motion passed after a recorded voice opposition during the vote.
On the 2026 budget (Ordinance 25‑017), Walls summarized the plan as $148.4 million in total appropriations, about $70 million in the general fund and $77.8 million across 30 other funds. The city’s proposed full‑time equivalent headcount stays at 118.25 FTEs; the proposed ending general fund balance was estimated at about $36.6 million, roughly 53.44% of recurring expenditures (the city’s 50% target). Council debated transparency, staffing shortfalls, and capital projects including the Barker roundabout and street maintenance before approving the ordinance.
Votes and next steps: The 25‑015 amendment passed with one recorded opposition; council adopted the 2026 budget on a subsequent voice vote. Staff said detailed line‑item information is available on the city website and that additional public hearings and review had already been held. The council may revisit line items as needed through future amendments.
