South Lake Parking Commission to Review On-Street Meter Fund Report Showing Sharp Revenue Drop

The South Lake Parking Place Commission is scheduled to review a year-end financial report for the South Lake district’s on-street parking meters when it meets Thursday, a report projecting that overall revenue will finish the 2026 fiscal year about $92,000 under budget.

The report, prepared by the Pasadena Department of Transportation, is listed on the agenda as an information-only item, meaning the commission will receive and discuss the figures but take no binding action related to it.

The projected shortfall in Fund 232 — which covers the South Lake district’s on-street parking meters — would stem mainly from meter revenue trending lower than the adopted budget, according to the report.

For the South Lake business district, the figures point to a notable drop in meter revenue that could shape future budget discussions.

Meter revenue is running about 24% below the prior fiscal year, the report states. The financial chart included with the report projects metered parking revenue of roughly $197,382 for fiscal year 2026, down from about $245,572 the previous year.

On the spending side, expenses are estimated to end the fiscal year within budget, according to the report. Department staff would continue to explore options for managing expenses, the memo says.

The fund is projected to close the 2026 fiscal year with a balance of $177,033. Of that total, $57,033 would be available for appropriations, while $120,000 would remain set aside in reserves for operations and meter replacement, according to the report.

The attached appropriation report also shows the fund would post a net operating loss of about $121,789 for the fiscal year, with roughly $329,967 in total expenses outpacing about $208,178 in total revenue. The single largest factor would be a one-time meter purchase and upgrade of about $102,749, according to the report. As a result, the fund’s overall balance would decline from about $298,823 the previous year to $177,033.

The financial report also includes a two-year outlook extending through fiscal year 2028, based on the assumption that existing parking rates remain unchanged. It covers revenue and expenses through June 30 and was prepared by Management Analyst Kristina Gerber and submitted by Joaquin T. Siques, director of transportation. Any changes to parking rates or fund spending that might arise from the commission’s discussion would require City Council approval before taking effect.

The South Lake Parking Place Commission is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, in City Hall, Grand Conference Room S038, 100 N. Garfield Ave., in Pasadena. For more information call (626) 744-7311 or visit https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/agendas/.