Second Year of Biennial Budget Approved

By a majority vote during a City
Council meeting held in June of last
year, the City Council adopted a
two-year (Biennial) operating budget
for fiscal years 2023-24, and 2024-
25. This past June, the City Council
formally adopted the second year
of the Biennial Budget aer much
discussion through Study Sessions and
a Public Hearing.
As we enter year two of the Biennial
Operation Budget, City Administration
has anticipated the strong demand for
programs, services, and events while
acknowledging slower revenue growth
and economic conditions.
When passed in 2023, the Biennial
Budget was used as a road map
for anticipated future revenue and
planned expenditures, allocating
resources and reflecting the City
Council’s priorities and policies for
fiscal years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025.
The development of the City’s FY
2023-25 Biennial Budget began in
December 2022. During that time,
City Administration reviewed the
spending up to that period of time
and determined the fiscal health
of the General Fund in order to
start developing the new fiscal year
budgets.
In creating this Budget,
City Administration
followed the priorities
of the City Council to
establish a framework
for the next two years.
Those priorities include:
Fiscal and Organizational
Sustainability, Economic
Development and Land
Use, a dedication to infrastructure,
prioritizing Health, Wellness, and
Safety, and an ongoing commitment to
Community Engagement.
Over the past fiscal year, the City has
successfully navigated recent unique
challenges without compromising the
quality or level of services provided to
the community. The City has excelled
in responsibly maintaining fiscal
prudence and is fortunate to have
avoided the cost-reduction measures
many other local governments face.
City Administration continues its
commitment to be resourceful and
creative in maintaining and investing
in current services, operations, and
infrastructure while adapting to the
future needs of this community.
As we begin the new fiscal year,
the 2024/2025 budget furthers the
City’s mission to deliver outstanding
municipal services that are responsive
to the entire community and consistent
with the City’s history, culture, and
unique needs.
“When we created this biennial
budget, we as an administration
created it with the community in mind,”
said City Manager Steve Carmona.
“We understand that the money that
is used is money coming directly from
our own tax paying residents. We
have a responsibility to be transparent
and fiscally responsible to ensure our
residents tax dollars are being spent
appropriately.”
The final year of the approved
Biennial Budget includes expenditures
of $61.1 million, of which nearly a
quarter will be allotted to the City’s
public safety, including the Sheriff’s
contract.
“In proposing our City budget,
Public Safety has always been, and will
continue to be a priority in the City,”
said Carmona. “Each year, the City
Council makes it a point to invest in
the City’s safety.”
The remaining balance of the
budget will be spent on the City’s
various departments for programs and
services, including public works, parks
and recreation services.
With the passage of the Biennial
Budget, Mr. Carmona thanked the
City Council for their guidance during
the budget preparation process.
Mr. Carmona stated that the City is
committed to exploring every option
to maintain and improve the financial
health of the organization as well
as the high level of service to the
community.
The approved Biennial Budget is
available for viewing on the City’s
website at pico-rivera.org