Ritzville City Council approves 2019 budget

The Ritzville City Council unanimously approved the 2019 city budget at its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 18, putting an end to the annual budget conversations as 2019 draws closer.

Additional changes had been made to the budget since the previous council meeting on Dec. 4. Retirement pay projections for two city workers who are retiring in 2019—Public Works Director Larry Swift and a maintenance worker—is now reflected in the budget.

Swift has worked for the city since 1997, and has accrued over $21,000 worth of unused sick, vacation and holiday hours that can be paid out by the city wh...