New City Finance Director Takes Helm as Pasadena Faces Projected Future Budget Shortfalls

Karin Schnaider, a 20-year veteran of municipal finance with roots in the Pasadena Unified School District, was formally introduced as Pasadena’s new finance director at Monday’s Finance Committee meeting, her first since starting the job on December 1.

Assistant City Manager Brenda Harvey-Williams noted that while Schnaider had been introduced at a council meeting the previous Monday at the convention center, that meeting was not televised.

“I am happy to be here. I have about 20 years as finance director and over 25 years experience in municipal and nonprofit accounting,” Schnaider told the committee. “Happy to be here to be able to share my expertise with the city and keep it forward.”

Harvey-Williams said Schnaider was selected following an extensive search.

Councilmember Tyron Hampton noted Schnaider is no stranger to Pasadena.

Schnaider told the committee that when she first moved from San Diego, she started in the budget office for Pasadena Unified School District before becoming accounting manager. She then received her first appointment as finance director, for the city of Sierra Madre.

Her family is relocating from Northern California, she said, and she is currently staying with her mother-in-law while her husband and children make their way back to their hometown.

When Hampton welcomed her home, Schnaider acknowledged one potential point of contention with her new colleagues.

“I’m still a Padre fan at heart,” she said, drawing a reaction from Mayor Victor Gordo.

But Schnaider quickly added that her family members are “diehard Dodger fans” who are excited to return to their hometown.

Schnaider inherits a challenging fiscal landscape.

According to staff reports presented at the same meeting, the city’s General Fund Five-Year Forecast projects a $7.6 million shortfall in fiscal year 2027, with deficits continuing each year through 2030.

Personnel and pension costs are the largest portions of the General Fund and a significant driver of expenditure growth.