By Brett Callwood
At the City Council meeting on the evening of Tuesday, May 28, City Manager Clint Osorio presented the proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year 2024-25, as well as 2025-26. No approval was necessary, the council simply accepted and filed it.
“The City has a strong and diverse revenue base,” Osorio said during a presentation. “However external factors are imposing stress on operational expenditures.”
For example, the LA County Fire Department informed the City that there will be $1.5 million per year owed for fire protection services.
Proposed budget revenue for 2025 is $86,419,896, an increase by $4,417,697 from 2024. That includes sales tax increasing by $969,000 to $12,392,000. Vehicle License Fees are another big mover, increasing $945,082 to $8,907,545.
Expenditures have increased by $4,434,302 to $86,265,644, pretty much balancing the budget. That includes an increase of $1,522,628 for Recreation & Human Service to $6,588,929. Police went up $1,159,364 to $35,968,552.
Major projects will include $29,935,923 for road/street improvements, $19,399,375 for the Community Aquatic & Senior Center, and $10,301,221 for Park & Facility Improvement Projects.
A number of contracts were unanimously approved. The bulk of the time was spent on Item 13A, “Approving a Sustainable Communities Environmental Assessment and adopting a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the 1610 West Artesia Boulevard Project,” and “Approving Site Plan Review #7-23, and Density Bonus request for the development of 300 apartment units, including 17 affordable units, in a six-story, podium apartment building at 1610 W Artesia Boulevard.”
Speakers included members of the public, some of whom had issues with the affordability of the proposed properties and the density that it would cause in the city. A representative of applicant The Picerne Group was on hand to state the company’s case, and it was pointed out that the project meets regulations so the City is essentially powerless to deny its progress.
Item 13B, “Consideration of the Proposed 50th Year CDBG Annual Action Plan for FY 2024-2025,” was approved unanimously, as was 13C, “Consideration of a contract with spcaLA for Animal Sheltering and Services” and 13D, “Consideration of a 5-year agreement with Los Angeles County Animal Control for Animal Control Related Services.”
A towing services contract extension was approved for RSD Tow, Inc until June 2027. And an agreement was approved “between the City of Gardena and TRIO Community Meals for the provision of the Senior Community Action Meals Program (SCAMP) for July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2028. Not to exceed $400,000 for year 1.”
For more information, visit cityofgardena.org.
