With a last-minute compromise, the Spokane City Council approved filling a $13 million budget deficit for 2026 through spending cuts, roughly 20 layoffs and two new taxes also approved Monday.

Parking in a paid lot will get more expensive next spring after the council adopted a 12% parking tax expected to raise $2 million in a normal year. The tax is discounted to 6% for parking garages, and there are exemptions for designated employee, residential and student parking. Implementation of the tax was delayed to April , lowering revenue forecasts to $1.2 million.

A 0.5% utility tax and rate increase was also approved on Monday, expected to raise $1.5 million next year. Utility rates set the price paid for water, sewer and garbage by city customers; utility taxes determine how much of

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