City Explores New Parcel Tax for Streets and Fire Infrastructure

A Pasadena councilmember on Tuesday pressed city staff to publicly surface plans exploring a possible new parcel tax to fund street repairs and fire infrastructure, saying that a November 2026 ballot measure cannot succeed if the public learns about it only weeks before the August 2026 filing deadline.

“The public knows this much about it,” Councilmember Rick Cole, District 2, told Public Works Director Greg de Vinck at the Municipal Services Committee meeting, gesturing to indicate a small amount.

de Vinck disclosed that the city is working with a consultant on the plan, with meetings occurring “a couple meetings a week.” He said an initial public poll has already been conducted and that an educational campaign is being prepared, though he acknowledged the timeline is tight for placing a measure on the November 2026 ballot.

The needs are substantial, officials say.

The street repaving investment is targeted at “somewhere over a hundred million dollars” and fire chief budget presentations have outlined more than $200 million in infrastructure investment and service expansions.

The parcel tax is one of several funding mechanisms under review, coordinated through the City Manager’s Office in consultation with the fire and public works departments.

The disclosure drew ration from Cole, who said the timeline leaves little room for public engagement. Cole said that for a November 2026 ballot placement, the item must move forward by the first week of August 2026 and that the public currently has very limited information about it.

Cole pressed staff to bring the matter to the full City Council this month or next — May 2026 or June 2026 — rather than waiting until July 2026, when staff indicated discussions would likely occur.

“We are out there in the community and we’re going to be held responsible,” Cole told staff.

Committee Chair Justin Jones, District 3, asked whether the item appears on the council look-ahead or Finance Committee schedule.

The acting assistant city manager replied that any funding-strategy discussion would likely surface in June 2026 or July 2026, and that current efforts focus on an education campaign through flyers, newsletters and social media outlining infrastructure needs.

Cole responded that interest in the topic should be considered an imperative. Staff said they would explore bringing the matter forward sooner.