SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Spokane’s mayor is asking city workers to forego pay raises next year to help close a $12 million budget shortfall.
The Spokesman-Review reports that Mayor Mary Verner said Friday that without union concessions, the city might have to lay off more than 100 workers.
Verner says that skipping raises and making some health plan changes would save Spokane an estimated $3 million. The rest of the gap would be closed using reserves and budget cuts.
The president of the city’s largest union says he’s waiting for more firm numbers before responding, but the union is happy to talk with the mayor about what needs to be done.
