The city of Spokane initially established the Criminal Justice Assistance Fund to pay for its monthly jail bills from Spokane County. The account was largely stable until the pandemic, when the state allowed the city to dip into that money for other criminal justice expenses, including homelessness services. While the city faces a $13 million budget deficit next year, the council had balanced a $25 million gap heading into 2025. Spokane County Spokesperson Pat Bell said staffing plays a hand in the jail entering a red-light status, and that the officials are monitoring the situation. The city and county’s contract over their shared jail costs has been automatically renewing since 2011.