City Council Will Open Public Hearings on $1.49 Billion Budget at Monday’s Meeting

The City Council will open the public hearing on Pasadena’s sweeping Fiscal Year 2026 budget during its Monday meeting.

The City Manager is required to submit an annual operating budget for the succeeding fiscal year by the third Monday in May.

Public hearings on the budget remain open during each regular Council meeting until final adoption.

This process concludes its annual review and public hearing.

In California, City Councils are required to pass a budget before June 30 for the fiscal year beginning on July 1.

The proposed budget outlines funding priorities for every city department, major capital improvement projects, and affiliated agencies.

The budget has been described by Finance Director Matthew Hawkesworth as the most challenging budget in years.

The FY 2026 Recommended Budget proposes total operating appropriations of approximately $1.499 billion in all Funds, a figure that includes affiliated agencies and Capital Improvement Projects.

This total citywide appropriation is characterized in the news article as a record-setting $1.499 billion — the largest in Pasadena’s history.

Within this overall total, specific components, including $943.6 million for city departments, $109.7 million allocated to the Pasadena Center Operating Company, Pasadena Community Access Corporation, and Rose Bowl Operating Company, and $446.1 million earmarked for capital improvement projects.

The budget reflects continued investment in core services and infrastructure, with an emphasis on technology, housing, public safety, and climate resiliency.

Regarding capital funding specifically, the Water and Power Department is stated to receive $230.4 million for system upgrades and maintenance.

Public Works is budgeted $37.5 million for street and facility improvements.

The Transportation Department would receive $28.5 million to support mobility and traffic safety upgrades.

The Rose Bowl Operating Company is also scheduled to receive $12.8 million in capital funding for facility maintenance and improvements.

In terms of departmental operations, the General Fund is budgeted at $361.5 million for FY 2026.

Specific departmental allocations include the Police Department at $121.4 million, Public Works at $95.8 million, and the Fire Department at $77 million.

The Housing Department is allocated $48.8 million to support expanded housing services, and Parks, Recreation and Community Services is budgeted at $29.8 million.

In the lead-up to the vote, city departments and affiliated agencies are presenting their individual budgets to relevant City Council committees.

The first of these departmental workshops took place on May 6.

The full FY 2026 Recommended Operating Budget is available for public review online at CityOfPasadena.net, at the City Clerk’s Office, and at both the San Rafael and Hastings Branch Libraries.