Maintain Fiscal Responsibility and Stability

The City of Pasadena has an important responsibility to its citizens to carefully account for public funds, wisely manage municipal finances and thoughtfully plan funding for public services.

Pasadena weathered one of the worst recessions in U.S. history largely due to conservative financial practices and policies, long-term plans representing the community’s values and priorities, a stable political environment, a diverse local economy that does not hinge on one or two specific industries, and thoughtful strategic planning in the face of fiscal challenges.

Input from residents and others in the community has helped us make informed decisions about how to best direct limited resources. The 2009 Pasadena Citizen Survey showed that residents knew the state was experiencing a large budget deficit that would impact Pasadena. California’s state budget problems took a bite out of Pasadena’s budget with cuts to public health and redevelopment funds. Then, with an ever-widening gap projected at the state level, legislators voted to raid municipal budgets as a stopgap measure.