City releases 2020 preliminary budget

The city of Ritzville unveiled its preliminary budget for next year at its Nov. 5 city council meeting, which projects a fund increase of 34% from the 2019 total final budget due largely to state and federal funding that the city has received in the form of either grants or loans.

Much of the increase comes via a 60% estimated increase in the city’s Water Fund, which is projected at $4.31 million in 2020, up from $1.73 million in 2019. Another notable increase in the preliminary budget for next year is in the Sewer Fund, up 61% from this year and projected at $2.87 million.

The driving force b...