Council to Vote on 2021 Fiscal Year Budget

The City Council could pass the fiscal year 2021 budget at Monday’s meeting.

The Recommended FY 2021 Operating Budget has a total recommended appropriations of $273,011,522 in the General Fund and $878,636,771 in all other funds, including $2.47 million in reductions, achieved by eliminating vacant positions in several departments, including the City Manager’s office, finance, and fire among others and the reduction of overtime for civilians working in the Pasadena Police Department.

Non personnel reductions would come from reductions in consultant services, contract services, internal service utilities and PEG funding for PCAC.

“The majority of the budget was prepared prior to the Stay At Home orders and therefore, reflected a much different fiscal environment,” according to a staff report.

The city previously made cuts to its Capital Improvement Program, including suicide mitigation plans for the suicide bridge.

In addition, $4.08 million will go to additional operational adjustments and $8.2 million will be used to pay the Rose Bowl Operating Company’s annual debt service.

“The city of Pasadena’s Charter, Section 902, requires that the annual operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year be submitted to the City Council on or before the third Monday in May,” according to the staff report.

“Given the extraordinary circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, staff is recommending the adoption of the annual Operating Budget in a single Council meeting.”

Although, the City entered the COVID-19 pandemic in a strong fiscal position, the projected economic losses are significant and unprecedented. Facing a host of economic questions posed by the pandemic, staff changed course during the annual budget process and modified its original plans in order to present a balanced Operating Budget while preserving essential services.

“In recognition of the extraordinary circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to the adoption of the capital budget, staff is recommending the adoption of the annual operating budget in a single council meeting.”