Council Postpones Annexation Action

The controversial annexation of Blackwell Island will have to wait at least a few more weeks.

The City Council postponed action on the proposed development Tuesday night. Councilwoman Dixie Reid called for tabling the question of annexing the island until the entire council was on hand to vote.

Councilmen Kevin Packard and Ron Edinger were not at the meeting.

The council will meet again on Monday at 5 p.m. to vote on the preliminary 1997 budget and to set a public hearing on the spending plan. The public hearing is expected to be Sept. 3.

In addition, the council will hold two or three workshops on the budget. Those are scheduled for Aug. 21, 22 and, if needed, Aug. 27th. All begin at City Hall at 5:15 p.m.

The city is proposing a $32 million budget, approximately $1.5 million less than the 1996 budget even though it includes a 4 percent pay raise for city employees. , DataTimes MEMO: Cut in Spokane edition