Santa Monica City Council Unanimously Approves Balanced Biennial Budget for FY 2023-2025

Budget Allocation Supports Homelessness, Safety, and Sustainability Initiatives

By Dolores Quintana

Last night, the Santa Monica City Council unanimously approved a balanced biennial budget for Fiscal Years 2023-2025. This budget represents a significant restoration of services since 2020 and builds upon previous efforts to address the COVID-19 crisis and invest strategically in key areas. The Council identified several priority areas during its March 11, 2023 workshop, including Addressing Homelessness, Clean and Safe Santa Monica, Cultivating Economic Recovery and Expanding Community and Cultural Offerings, Promoting Racial Justice, Equity, and Social Diversity, and Creating a Sustainable and Connected Community.

Santa Monica Mayor Gleam Davis expressed enthusiasm for the budget, stating, “As we continue to recover from the pandemic, the approval of the Biennial Budget adds to the City’s momentum and focuses our next two years. I’m looking forward to the expansion of our beloved programs and ask for the community’s support as enhancements are implemented to address what’s most important to our residents.”

The overall proposed biennial budget for FY 2023-2025 amounts to approximately $745.0 million in FY 2023-24 and $750.6 million in FY 2024-25, after accounting for reimbursements and transfers. These figures differ by $4.2 million and $4.1 million, respectively, from the amounts presented at the Budget Study Session in May 2023.

The final budget aligns with Council priorities and incorporates revenues from Measure CS, which was approved by voters in November 2022. Some of the key allocations and initiatives included in the budget are:

Allocating resources to public safety initiatives, such as expanding the Homeless Liaison Program team by adding six police officers and one police sergeant, enhancing patrol operations, investing in community safety technology, and providing increased patrol and security services at the Pier, Beach, and Downtown. The budget also includes the implementation of a transit safety officer program for Big Blue Bus and additional staff for the Santa Monica Animal Shelter.
Expanding efforts to address homelessness, including the addition of a multidisciplinary outreach team to areas outside of Downtown and the Beach, developing a Homelessness Strategic Plan, expanding SAMOSHEL hours for 24/7 intakes, allocating funds for eviction prevention, establishing a 3-1-1 outreach response in partnership with the Salvation Army, and adding a dedicated Santa Monica Fire Department case manager.
Enhancing public works teams to maintain clean public spaces, with increased frequencies for alley clearing, improved illegal dumping and bulky item pickup services, and enhanced tree pruning in high-traffic areas.
Organizational realignment to create the Housing and Human Services Department and the Recreation and Arts Department, aiming to address social and economic challenges, promote community healing and recovery, and provide enriching services and programs.
Grants to support the behavioral health needs of vulnerable residents.
Further restoration of youth programs, including increased staffing for CREST afterschool programs, ongoing staffing for the Police Activities League and Virginia Avenue Park youth programs, and support for SMMUSD’s Playground Club program.
Restoring Santa Monica Public Library’s programs and hours, such as extending hours at the Main Library on Saturdays, extending evening hours at all open locations from Monday to Thursday, and opening the Main Library one hour earlier from Monday to Thursday.
Continued funding for the Art of Recovery program, which supports inclusive and diverse cultural activities promoting mental well-being, community building, and economic recovery.
Allocation of funds for essential road maintenance and rehabilitation projects.
Support for monthly meetings of the Landmarks Commission.
Introduction of a new small businesses assistance program.
Establishment of a Citywide ADA Coordinator.
Restoration of the City Traffic Engineer position to advance mobility projects and develop a multi-year traffic signal preventative maintenance program.
Ongoing work on action plans for zero waste, sustainable water, and electrification of the City’s fleet.