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Glendale presents fiscally constrained FY2027 budget; no property tax increase and targeted FTE additions
Summary
City staff presented a $713 million FY2027 budget across all funds, with a $341 million general fund and no proposed property tax rate increase. The plan includes 28.5 net new FTEs focused on public safety and services, a 3% COLA recommendation, and department supplementals and CIP updates.
City staff told the Glendale City Council on March 30 that the proposed fiscal year 2027 operating budget reflects a conservative approach driven by constrained revenues, inflation and contractual obligations.
The proposed total operating budget across all funds is about $713 million, with the general fund at $341 million (48% of the total). Police services represent $150 million, about 44% of the general fund. Staff recommended no property tax rate increase for the 11th consecutive year. The presentation included a recommended 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for nonrepresented employees and up to a 2% merit component; staff said retention and recruitment were a primary focus.
The request package includes 28.5 new positions citywide: 10 new positions (mostly police) account for the largest single department request, with other additions in parks, city court and water. Staff estimated the personnel cost of new positions at roughly $3.7 million. Citywide supplementals highlighted by staff include car allowances for directors, HR reclassifications and a small package of one‑time items such as an arts master plan correction and CIP carryover adjustments.
Staff also reviewed capital adjustments, including updated funding and bond issuance costs for several park projects and a near‑term plan for finalizing a police evidence storage project with anticipated savings of about $2 million to be reallocated to other public safety bond projects. Staff noted CIP and bond capacity constraints when discussing whether to add new large projects to the bond program.
Council members asked for additional detail on performance measures and department work plans; staff said they will provide updated performance measures and the full tentative budget at the April 28 workshop. The city manager and budget staff reiterated that tentative adoption is scheduled for May 12 and final adoption and property tax levy discussion are scheduled for June meetings.
