SPOKANE, Wash. — Improving public safety and expanding mental health resources are key priorities in Spokane County’s 2025 budget, approved Monday by the Board of County Commissioners.
The adopted 2025 budget for the general fund is $264.1 million, and the total budget is $864.8 million. Some of Spokane County’s focus areas include public safety, mental health, housing and homelessness, and community infrastructure.
“As our expenses rise and revenues remain flat, the Board tasked departments earlier this year to find ways to reduce costs and identify efficiencies to maximize every taxpayer dollar entrusted to the County,” Spokane County Communications Director Pat Bell said in a statement.
The largest investment in the budget targets mental health resources, with $15 million allocated to expand the Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Center. The center provides law enforcement with an alternative to incarceration for individuals facing mental health or addiction issues, offering treatment instead.
Another $15 million is earmarked for additional mental health initiatives, including Mental Health Therapeutic Courts, the Initiative for Student Wellness, and the Behavioral Health Co-Responder Program in partnership with the City of Spokane.
Housing and homelessness also received significant funding, with $10 million designated for affordable housing projects aimed at seniors and youth. Another $7.4 million is set aside for homelessness services, including prevention programs, street outreach, and emergency shelters.
Community infrastructure projects include multi-million-dollar allocations for the Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex in Spokane Valley and transportation improvements. Key projects include completing the Little Spokane Bridge, reconstructing Hatch Road, and upgrading Cascade Way.
The budget also bolsters public safety by increasing resources for the Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office to enhance crime prevention efforts.
The full 2025 budget can be viewed here.
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