City of Spokane, WA
10/15/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2024 16:23
Mayor Brown Gives Inaugural Statement of Conditions and Affairs
Mayor Brown Gives Inaugural Statement of Conditions and Affairs
Erin Hut, Director of Communications and Marketing, 509.625.6740
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 3:11 p.m.
In her inaugural Statement of Conditions and Affairs, Mayor Lisa Brown reflected on some of the progress made during her first 10 months in office and outlined priorities for the future. Key areas of focus included the city's fiscal health, homelessness response, community safety, and gratitude for city employees.
Fiscal Health and Budget
When Mayor Brown took office, Spokane faced a $25 million structural deficit in the General Fund, with some estimates reaching $50 million across all departments due to deferred maintenance and other challenges. "We stopped digging the hole by living within this year's budget," Brown said. Through voluntary retirement incentives, contract negotiations, and other strategic measures, the projected 2025 deficit has been reduced to $7.9 million, with efforts ongoing to balance the budget by the end of the biennium.
Addressing Homelessness
Mayor Brown has prioritized closing the costly Trent Resource and Assistance Center (TRAC), in favor of a new navigation center-scattered site shelter model. This model has been proven to provide better outcomes to those experiencing homelessness than congregate shelters. Adoption of this new model has been done with the help of state funding. In partnership with state agencies, the city secured:
- Encampment Resolution Program funding to assist 30 people from the 2nd and Division corridor.
- $4 million for a new navigation center and scattered site shelters, adding 200 beds.
- $1 million for street medicine outreach.
Community Safety
Public engagement identified community safety as a top priority. In response, the Brown Administration launched the CORE Plan, aimed at increasing outreach and response with an emphasis downtown. Additionally, a proposed community safety sales tax would fund expanded traffic enforcement, fire department upgrades, and the revival of the Neighborhood Resource Office program and fire academy.
Recognizing City Employees
Mayor Brown credited the city's 2,000 employees for making these achievements possible, quoting Wilma Mankiller:
"The most fulfilled people are the ones who get up every morning and stand for something larger than themselves."
As the city moves forward, Brown emphasized the need for continued collaboration to overcome challenges and build a stronger Spokane.