City’s Departmental Operating Appropriations Up 11.3% in Proposed Fiscal 2024 Budget

The City of Pasadena has released its proposed budget for the fiscal year 2024, totaling $953.8 million in operating appropriations, reflecting an 11.3% increase compared to the previous year’s revised budget of $879.9 million. 

The City’s overall budget is planned at $1.2 billion. That grand total includes all the departmental and agency allocations plus the City’s Capital budget as well — the money to build things and buy things.

The 2024 recommended appropriations budget allocates funds just to various departments, affiliated agencies, and inter-departmental transfers.

Significant increases in departmental allocations include the Fire Department, with a 10.3% increase to $65.9 million, and the Water and Power Department, which saw a 13.6% rise to $333.5 million. The Police Department’s budget also increased, by 5.2% to $105.4 million.

Other notable increases in the recommended budget include the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department at $26.4 million, up 11.0% from the previous year, and the Transportation Department, with a 10.9% increase to $44.0 million.

Some departments experienced smaller increases, such as the City Attorney’s budget, which rose 8.1% to $12.1 million, and the Finance Department, with a 7.3% increase to $15.3 million. 

Two departments saw decreases: The Housing Department’s budget saw a decrease of 6.0% from the revised 2023 budget, bringing it down to $40.6 million, while Public Works shrank 7.3% from revised 2023 of $93,890 to a proposed 2024 of $87,026.

The City Council Finance Committee and the full Council will review and discuss the budget in a series of hearings before its final adoption.