City Council Unanimously Adopts $1.2 Billion Operating Budget

The Pasadena City Council unanimously approved a $1.2 billion operating budget for the City’s 2024 fiscal year on Monday night. The original budget proposal was amended following public hearings, resulting in increased public safety and housing funding.

“Thank you everyone who worked very hard on the budget. It’s a lot of work” said Mayor Victor Gordo. 

“It really is a team effort,” City Manager Miguel Márquez said. “We really appreciate the public hearings we had, the public comments we received, the feedback from you all that I think made this budget work.” 

“This year’s budget process was very productive. We learned a lot, we heard a lot and we definitely have some great things to come back to the Council to continue working through during the coming months,” Matthew Hawkesworth, Director of Finance for the city said. 

The new budget allocates operating appropriations of $323.2 million in the General Fund and $1.2 billion in all Funds.

According to Hawkesworth, there were a few changes made to the proposed budget following hearings conducted by committees. 

Hawkesworth said the initial budget that was proposed had removed the two full-time Pasadena Police Department’s Park Safety Specialists that were approved last year. 

The appropriations were restored in the Fiscal Year 2024 recommended budget. 

“That’s $190,442 of appropriation,” he added. 

Hawkesworth said an adjustment was also made to the Housing Department’s budget after the committee that reviewed its budget expressed an interest in making sure that funding is provided for weather-activated shelter services for people experiencing homelessness.

“We increased appropriation in the General Fund by $150,000 for a total of $500,000 from the General Fund that will be committed towards weather-activated sheltering,” Hawkesworth said.

The Fire department’s appropriations also increased by $362,131 due to an addition of 3 full-time equivalent employees, according to Hawkesworth. 

The proposed operating budget adjustments will increase appropriations in the General Fund by $521,508 and all funds by $702,573 and increase the citywide full-time employees total by 5.0.

At Monday’s meeting, the City Council also adopted the resolution transferring approximately 6.25 percent of estimated gross revenues, or $13,000,000 from the Light and Power Fund to the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2024.

The City Council also adopted the Fiscal Year 2024 recommended general fee schedule with the exemption of the Pasadena Public Health Department’s Backflow Prevention fee which is proposed to be increased from $80 to $111 for single-family residential. 

“I cannot support the increase to the backflow for residents now. If you want to do it for all commercial spaces, that makes sense,” Councilmember Tyron Hampton said. 

The proposed increase in the mentioned annual fee will go to the Municipal Services Committee for additional discussion.