Spokane is out of funds for county jail fees

The City of Spokane can’t afford to pay what Spokane County is charging for jail beds.

Spokane is currently sitting on two months of unpaid jail bills.

The city contracts with the county to use some of the county jail beds for people charged with misdemeanors.

Since 2007, the city’s been paying for those beds out of the Criminal Justice Assistance Fund, which is filled by state tax revenue.

"This was more than sustainable at the time. The sales taxes were coming in higher than the jail cost, so the fund itself built up a healthy fund balance," Spokane Management and Budget Director Jessica Stratton said during a special budget hearing in mid-July. "Over time, that healthy fund balance became alluring, especially during the financially distr

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