Pasadena Public Health Department Faces Grants Funding Shortfall, City Budget Proposes to Allocate $500,000 to Cover

The City of Pasadena is proposing to allocate $500,000 from its general fund to the Public Health Department to cover an administrative costs shortfall.

The Public Health Department has historically been funded through grants or fee-for-service operations, but rising costs have made grant funding insufficient, City Manager Miguel Márquez said in a budget transmittal letter to the City Council.

The city has always exempted the Public Health Fund from Cost Allocation Plan charges to support general municipal overhead, such as human resources, administration, and finance, due to grant shortfalls.

However, Márquez said grants are no longer sufficient to cover the Health department’s basic needs like utilities, technology, and building maintenance.

Additionally, the Public Health Department is increasingly tasked with conducting complaint investigations and enforcement duties related to enforcing Title 8 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, where there may not be a revenue source to offset costs.

The recommended Fiscal Year 2024 budget includes $500,000 from the General Fund to offset these shortfalls. That increase is included in this year’s budget, currently the subject of an extended hearing at Pasadena City Council.

Márquez has proposed a proposed $1.2 billion operating budget fior Pasadena for fiscal year 2023-2024. This marks the first time the city’s budget has surpassed the $1 billion mark.