Cheney in $700,000 budget hole

A continued sluggish economy combined with the local effects of state budget cuts equals trying times for the city of Cheney as budget season kicks off.

City Administrator Arlene Fisher estimated revenues would be down around $700,000 by the end of 2012, but stressed that the city would have a balanced budget and would not cut services to citizens for 2013.

“Our first priority is maintaining the level of service we provide. We will accomplish that,” she said. “That is the mayor’s position and I have 98 employees committed to that.”

Current revenue losses in the city include losses from state s...