Local cities are having to tighten their budgets as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect economic activity across the region, city officials say.

Statewide, gross business income fell by 17 percent because of the pandemic.

Highline’s budget woes will continue into the next fiscal year due to the economic impact of the global pandemic.

Last summer, a draft of the budget showed a $3.4 million gap of expenses over revenue. Although the state revenue picture has shown some improvement, with current downward trends in funding and enrollment, Highline faces a projected deficit of about $8 million.