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With the formal opening of a public hearing on Monday night, the Pasadena City Council will begin its month-long review of the Fiscal Year 2026 Recommended Operating Budget, kicking off a series of detailed presentations and committee discussions scheduled throughout May and early June.
The process begins at Monday’s 6:00 p.m. City Council meeting, where City Manager Miguel Márquez will deliver an overview of the proposed $1.5 billion budget. The hearing, as mandated by the city charter, will remain open through June 9, when the Council is expected to adopt the final budget along with the city’s Gann Appropriations Limit for the new fiscal year.
Throughout May, a comprehensive lineup of City Council committees will take up specific departmental budgets. The Legislative Policy Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 6, to review the budgets for the Library and Information Services Department, Planning and Community Development, the City Attorney’s Office, City Council, and City Clerk’s Office.
On Wednesday, May 7, the Public Safety Committee will evaluate budget requests from the Police Department and the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.
The following day, May 8, the EDTECH (Economic Development and Technology Committee will meet at City Hall to discuss funding for the Pasadena Center Operating Company (PCOC), Pasadena Community Access Corporation (PCAC), and the Economic Development Division of the City Manager’s Office, which includes the Foothill Workforce Development Board.
Budget hearings continue into the following week with a Finance Committee meeting at 3 p.m. on May 12 to review the budgets for the Human Resources Department and the City Manager’s Office.
At 6 p.m., the full City Council will continue the public hearing and hear the proposed FY 2026 Schedule of Taxes, Fees, and Charges.
On May 13, the Municipal Services Committee will review appropriations for the Public Works and Transportation Departments.
A second public meeting on taxes and fees will be held at the City Council meeting on May 19.
Budget oversight continues on May 20 when the Economic Development and Technology Committee takes up the budgets for the Department of Information Technology, Housing Department, and Rent Stabilization Department.
Public health and emergency services come into focus on May 21, as the Public Safety Committee reviews the Fire and Public Health Departments.
On May 27, the Municipal Services Committee will examine the Water and Power Department’s proposed spending plan.
Two remaining presentations—covering the Rose Bowl Operating Company and the Finance Department—will be scheduled by the Finance Committee, with a date to be determined.
On June 2, the City Council will meet to open and close the public hearing on the FY 2026 Schedule of Taxes, Fees, and Charges and adopt the FY 2026 General Fee Schedule. The Council will also have time for any final wrap-up budget discussions ahead of final adoption on June 9.
The FY 2026 Recommended Operating Budget, which includes departmental budgets, capital appropriations, and staffing plans, is available for public review online at the city’s website, at the City Clerk’s Office, and at the San Rafael and Hastings Branch libraries.
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