Temple City adopts FY2024–25 budget, raises short‑term rental fines

The Temple City Council unanimously adopted the city’s fiscal year 2024–25 budget and a revised master fees and fines schedule after a public meeting that included staff presentations and brief public comment.

The council approved Resolution 24-5753 to adopt the proposed budget, which staff said includes nearly $9.1 million in operating revenues, roughly $15.3 million in operating expenditures, nearly $3.4 million in one‑time and capital improvement spending, and an estimated surplus of about $515,000. Administrative Services Director Susan Pagadas told the council the budget preserves existing programs, includes no new staff positions, and completes the final year of negotiated cost‑of‑living adjustments for bargaining units.

The meeting also included adoption of the annual master fees and fines schedule (Resolution 24-5752). Pagadas highlighted a notable change to short‑term rental enforcement: the first offense will be $1,500; a second offense within 12 months will be $3,000; a third offense within 12 months will be $5,000; and subsequent offenses within that period will remain $5,000. "We are trying to make a real effort to send a signal that short‑term rentals are not what we want to have in the community," Pagadas said.

Council members asked staff how the 12‑month window is measured and about enforcement timelines. Staff confirmed the escalation period is measured from the initial offense (12 months from that date) and said the city prosecutor has advised allowing people reasonable time to correct violations before issuing fines. A resident who spoke during public comment asked whether raising business‑license fees requires voter approval; staff explained that a business‑license tax would require a vote but a fee charged to recover the cost of a service does not if the city demonstrates a nexus between the fee and the cost of service.

Council and staff also reviewed capital spending and one‑time items in the budget. Staff said the city will roll forward prior appropriations for several projects and has proposed a new $5 million pavement management project that will substantially draw down the pavement fund balance. Council approved a proposed city share of approximately $284,000 toward a county traffic‑signal synchronization project between Arcadia, Temple City and San Gabriel; staff described the payment as a one‑time equipment cost with future maintenance falling under standard operating budgets.

Other capital items discussed include Live Oak playground equipment (a rollover of about $3.3 million), a city hall roof and HVAC project (about $3.37 million rollover) and Last Tuna Drive improvements. Staff said the pavement project and these rollovers reflect available fund balances and that similar large projects may be limited until new funding sources are identified.

In other actions, the council adopted Resolution 24-5750 ordering the levy and collection of landscape and lighting district assessments for FY 2024–25 and approved Resolution 24-5754 setting the city’s annual appropriations limit required by state law. All recorded roll call votes on the resolutions were unanimous.

City Manager Brian Cook reported that Las Tunas boulevard work is under way with contracts passed on the consent calendar and that recent residential street repaving is about 90% complete. He also reminded residents about a compost giveaway at Live Oak Park and noted that a five‑year agreement with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was included in the consent items.

Votes at a glance

• Resolution 24-5753 — Adopt FY 2024–25 budget and appropriations: approved (roll call: Chen yes, Man yes, Sternquist yes, Mayor Pro Tem Yu yes, Mayor Chavez yes).

• Resolution 24-5752 — Approve master fees and fines schedule (includes short‑term rental fine increases): approved (roll call: Chen yes, Man yes, Sternquist yes, Mayor Pro Tem Yu yes, Mayor Chavez yes).

• Resolution 24-5750 — Order levy of landscape & lighting district assessments: approved (roll call: Chen yes, Man yes, Sternquist yes, Mayor Pro Tem Yu yes, Mayor Chavez yes).

• Resolution 24-5754 — Adopt annual appropriations limit: approved (roll call: Chen yes, Man yes, Sternquist yes, Mayor Pro Tem Yu yes, Mayor Chavez yes).

What’s next

Staff will return as needed with implementation details for fee administration and enforcement policies, the city’s share agreement for the traffic‑signal project will be brought forward for final authorization in July, and capital projects will proceed consistent with the adopted budget and contractual obligations.