Council to Vote Monday on Adopting $955 Million Budget

The City Council on Monday will vote to close the budget hearing and adopt by resolution the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Operating Budget.

The recommended $955.3 budget also includes the appropriations for the FY 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Program and the City’s three operating companies, Rose Bowl Operating Company, Pasadena Center Operating Company, and Pasadena Community Access Corporation.

The recommended Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget includes $295.5 million in appropriations from the general fund.

“Given that the operating budgets for both FY 2021 and FY 2022 were held relatively flat, it is important to plan for a new baseline in FY 2023 by resetting both revenue and expenditure forecasts with today’s realities,” according to a city staff report. “The Recommended FY 2023 Operating Budget includes proposed enhancements that reflect community service priorities, mandated programs, and administrative needs.”

During the budget meetings with the respective Council Committees, several additions to the original Recommended Operating Budget were proposed based on public comments and changes in circumstances, the changes include:

Increase recommended appropriations by $321,000 in the General Fund in the City Attorney/City Prosecutor’s office to establish an ongoing, annual budget for services and supplies for the Community Police Oversight Commission. As presented to the Legislative Policy Committee on May 24, 2022, this enhancement will support various costs that include an Independent Police Auditor, outside legal counsel, trainings/education, and administrative overhead.

Increase recommended appropriations by $100,000 in the General Fund in the Public Works Department for a public tree watering study that will provide a comprehensive review of the City’s tree inventory within the public right-of-way and their watering needs especially during times of severe drought.

Eliminate a vacant Customer Service Representative 1.0 FullTime Equivalent (FTE) in the Finance Department and corresponding appropriations of $84,237 in the Building Services Fund (204). The position helped staff the Permit Center in the Hale Building but is no longer required due to the technological and operational improvements facilitated by the Energov permit system and a broader range of payment options.

The City Council will also vote on a resolution to approve the annual transfer from the Light and Power Fund to the General Fund. The FY 2023 amount is approximately 10 percent of gross revenues from retail sales

The city’s charter of Pasadena Charter, Section 902, requires that on or before the third Monday in May the City Manager shall submit to the City Council an annual operating budget for the succeeding fiscal year,” according to a city staff report.