Pasadena Finance Committee to Consider $500,000 Budget Amendment for Fire Battalion Chiefs

The Pasadena City Council’s Finance Committee will meet Monday to consider a $500,000 budget amendment that would add two new fire battalion chief positions.

The special meeting at 3:30 p.m. will discuss, among other issues, amendments to the city’s fiscal year 2026 operating budget.

The City Council approved the budget on June 16. It included one new 40-hour battalion chief position starting January 1, 2026.

Council members directed the Finance Department to return with options for funding two additional 24-hour shift battalion chief positions. The proposal would also convert the approved 40-hour position to a 24-hour shift.

The three new positions would provide two battalion chiefs for each of the fire department’s three shifts.

The full-year cost would be approximately $1.3 million for operations and $420,000 for two new vehicles. The proposed amendment covers six months of costs totaling $480,000 plus $220,000 for vehicle purchases.

The Finance Department recommends using three funding sources for the amendment. The city would tap a $120,705 General Fund surplus from the adopted budget.

The fire department would leave four paramedic intern positions vacant, redirecting $96,000 in funding.

Based on recently approved fee increases, the city would increase Emergency Medical Services revenue projections by $500,000.

The Finance Department said Emergency Medical Services (EMS) transport fee increased 4.48% to $4,354 following a cost-of-service study. The department estimates the fee changes will generate $723,618 in additional revenue.

Other funding options include eliminating vacant positions, increasing fees, using reserves or reconsidering one-time budget items, the department added.

The city has 67 vacant positions across departments, with most in police and fire departments.

The Finance Department also warns of challenging fiscal times ahead. Revenue growth is slower than expense increases in the General Fund and other city funds, the department said.

Pasadena’s General Fund had $1.3 million for new initiatives this budget cycle. Those funds were insufficient for most department requests, according to the Finance Department.

New police laptop costs will add $850,000 in annual expenses starting in fiscal year 2027, the report said. It added the battalion chief amendment would increase the base budget by more than $2 million in fiscal year 2027.

The report recommends funding future operational costs through EMS fees and anticipated fire inspection service fee increases.