Cheney produces a 'lean' budget for 2021

CHENEY – The City Council unanimously approved the first reading of the city’s nearly $32.74 million 2021 budget at its Nov. 24 meeting. The figure is roughly $560,000 less than 2020’s $33.3 million budget — partly a reflection of the recent loss of the city’s levy lid lift funding.

In giving its initial approval of the budget, council also approved the city’s two levy ordinances – general fund and emergency medical services – both of which dropped, partly due to the increase in the city’s total assessed property value. The other reason was the removal of the public safety levy lid lift – appr...