Spokane fills $13M deficit by raising taxes, cutting personnel

(The Center Square) – The Spokane City Council filled a $13 million deficit on Monday after approving a new 12% parking tax and a “temporary” 0.5% utility tax and rate increase, along with several cuts. The council spent months preparing for this after Mayor Lisa Brown and City Administrator Alex Scott told the officials in September that cuts alone wouldn’t close the anticipated shortfall. Last winter, they closed a $25 million gap, despite concerns over implementation from two conservatives on the dais.