The Pasadena City Council on Sept. 2 voted to advance the city's fiscal 2025'26 budget on first reading and approved a proposed property tax rate of $0.465586 per $100 of assessed value, after extended debate about infrastructure spending, employee pay and the status of a convention center project.

Council members expressed divergent views during a lengthy budget discussion that followed public comment. Councilman Shane Bynes, speaking during debate, said the budget "does not direct resources where I feel they're most urgently needed" and argued the city should prioritize paving, drainage, sidewalks and other infrastructure. He also said many city employees "have gone years without meaningful raises."

The chamber of council members moved a set of related ordinances: Ordinance 2025-167 through 2025-172 were adopted as part of routine final readings, and the council held roll-call votes on the tax and budget ordinances. Ordinance 2025-173 (ratifying a property tax increase reflected in the proposed annual budget) was read as an item requiring roll-call vote. Ordinance 2025-174 (adopting the annual budget for fiscal 2025'1) was brought up for first-reading roll call and advanced. Ordinance 2025-175 (proposing the adoption of the 2025 tax rate) passed by roll call vote.

Council members pressed for more information on capital improvement planning. "We are deciding on a budget without any plans or workshops on CIPs," Councilman Delano (spoke during debate) said, urging more detail on capital improvement projects and their funding. Several council members said they needed more specifics about the convention center project and any outstanding financial obligations before they could support a final budget vote. Councilman Fuschler (remarks recorded) stated he would vote in favor on the first reading but asked for additional documentation before the final reading.

Not all members supported the budget as presented. A council member voting against the budget on principle said they would register "no confidence" in the process until infrastructure and employee pay concerns were resolved. The mayor and other council members noted a schedule of future budget workshops, and the mayor said council members had several weeks to submit capital improvement projects to be considered.

Action summary: Council adopted the proposed tax-rate ordinance (Ordinance 2025-175) and advanced the annual budget (Ordinance 2025-174) on first reading; the council also approved several routine ordinances and resolutions during the meeting. Multiple council members asked for further information about the convention center project, capital improvement plans (CIPs) and a detailed pay-parity analysis before final budget adoption.

The council scheduled follow-up budget and CIP workshops and asked staff to provide detailed information on outstanding convention-center obligations and proposed capital projects prior to the final budget vote.