BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Concerns over making ends meet are coming to the forefront of some local government discussions.

The Bellingham City Council reformed their Budget and Finance Committee to deal with what the city’s Finance Director Andy Asbjornsen is calling a $1.5 million gap.

The city identified the gap during year-end budget discussions last year.

Despite cutting where they could, Asbjornsen said that they don’t know what the future holds for their economy.

“What we’re seeing now in the market is kind of a complete unknown as to what we’re doing as an economy,” Asbjornsen said. “The crystal ball is very very cloudy at this point as we try to evaluate what the future holds.”

Following a 6% cut in the 2025 budget to all departments excluding fire and police, Mayor Kim Lund says that the uncertain financial outlook is spurring further change in the local government.

“We’re undertaking an additional 3% exercise and that includes police and fire,” Mayor Lund said. “So, our intention is that each department can thoughtfully look at where they can achieve potential, additional reductions and so if we find ourselves in that position where we need to move forward with those, we’ve been as thoughtful as possible.”

Council member Michael Lilliquist wanted to clarify that the funds under threat are in the general fund and do not have to do with the other parts of the budget.

“This is the general fund,” Lilliquist said, gesturing at a printout of budget projections. “It’s probably one of the most important parts of the city’s budget but it’s not the largest part of the city’s budget. And so—our special revenue funds and our utility funds and many other funds—we’ll continue to be spending exactly as planned, exactly as expected, or close to it.”

The cuts are not taking effect until the city deems it necessary for them to stay afloat.