South Pasadena : Tentative Budget Approved

The City Council approved a tentative $16-million budget last week that will be revised in two months when city officials know exactly how much money the city will receive from the state.

“The state budget is like a jigsaw puzzle at this point,” City Manager Ken Farfsing said.

Spending in the budget, which goes into effect Thursday, outstrips revenue. To help make up the difference, the city plans to assess property owners for fire suppression and landscaping and lighting.

The landscaping and lighting assessment will go into effect July 21 unless 50% of property owners in the city file a written protest. Likewise, the fire assessment fee goes into effect July 21 unless those owning 5% of property in the city object, which would put it on the ballot. The two fees would raise $1.4 million.

An additional $200,000 would be raised through a variety of new fees and fee increases.

A new fee of $128 will be required to sell goods from vehicles, such as ice cream and taco trucks. A fine of up to $400 will be charged for false fire alarms. And the fees for some recreational classes, including basketball, tap dancing and jazz dancing, will increase.