Pullman Announces Staff and Service Reductions Amid Budget Shortfall

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The City of Pullman, Washington has announced reductions to staff hours, seasonal hiring, and several city services as officials work to address an ongoing budget shortfall. The measures include cutting hours for some casual employees, reducing seasonal hiring, and scaling back certain programs and facility operations.

Why it matters

Pullman, like many municipalities, is facing financial challenges due to the economic impacts of the pandemic. These staffing and service reductions reflect the difficult decisions local governments must make to balance their budgets while still providing essential services to the community.

The details

Beginning March 16, 16 casual employees across multiple departments will have their hours reduced to zero, including 9 reserve firefighters, 4 library reference assistants, and 3 public works positions. The city is also reducing future seasonal hiring, with 7 fewer positions in Parks and Facilities and 17 fewer in Parks and Recreation. Several services will be scaled back, including reduced library hours, fewer city-sponsored concerts and movies, and limited pool hours and programming.

• The staffing and service reductions will begin on March 16, 2026.
• The Pullman Recreation Center will eliminate Sunday open gym hours starting March 29, 2026.
• Reaney Park Pool will offer open swim daily from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. starting June 13, 2026.

What’s next

Officials said the reductions follow more than 18 months of cost-cutting measures across city departments, and additional steps may be needed to balance the budget.