Gardena adopts amended FY 2025–26 budget, approves capital plan and related fiscal measures

The Gardena City Council on June 24 unanimously adopted an amended fiscal year 2025–26 budget, approved a multi-year capital improvement program totaling roughly $70 million and voted on several related fiscal measures, including the city’s appropriations limit and updated investment policy.

The council approved Resolution No. 6703 adopting the amended FY 2025–26 budget, which staff described as the second year of the city’s biennial budget. City staff reported the proposed amended budget is balanced and projects a general fund surplus of $73,046 for 2025–26 while increasing the city’s general fund reserve to roughly $34 million (about 39 percent), above the council’s 25 percent reserve policy.

Why it matters: The adopted budget funds public safety and infrastructure projects the city says are priorities for long-term financial stability. City staff highlighted $70 million in capital improvement projects for the coming year, including roughly $41 million for streets, sewer and stormwater work and nearly $30 million for parks and facilities projects — the largest single park item cited was…