City Hall rotunda (File Photo – Sierra Madre Civic Club)
The Sierra Madre City Council adopted a fiscal year 2026–27 budget Tuesday that is expected to maintain current service levels without requiring a new tax increase.
By Shashank Tongaonkar
The adopted budget includes 39.1 million in total spending and 46.3 million in general fund expenditures,
The budget comes several months after a resident-led revenue committee concluded the city could maintain current service levels without a new tax, a finding reflected in the voter-approved No-Tax-Increase Gann measure approved by voters on June 2.
The council began with a closed session covering two personnel matters: a performance review of City Manager Michael Bruckner and labor negotiations involving the city’s classified employees, police officers and firefighters. Bruckner and Assistant City Manager Miguel Hernandez served as the city’s negotiators.
Along with the budget and capital improvement plan, the council approved a new fee schedule, set the city’s appropriations limit and approved salary schedules for exempt employees. The council also set the city’s appropriations limit under the No-Tax-Increase Gann measure.
Three public hearings followed. The council approved updates to the Open Space, Recreation and Conservation elements of the City Plan, adopted an ordinance strengthening requirements for construction and demolition waste disposal, and confirmed the 2026–27 assessment for the downtown landscaping and lighting district. The assessment district was established at the council’s June 9 meeting.
The consent calendar included routine business along with several notable items. Among them was a contract with Carbon Supply Inc. for the city’s granular activated carbon change-out project, capped at $203,000 for water treatment work.
The council also approved purchase orders exceeding $75,000 for the coming year, authorized participation in Los Angeles County’s Community Development Block Grant program through 2029, and designated a list of streets for repair using SB 1 gas-tax funding.
A second reading of Ordinance 1495, which establishes objective design standards for multifamily housing, also passed on the consent calendar. The ordinance stems from housing standards reviewed by the council earlier this month.
The council also approved appointments to seats on the city’s boards and commissions.
The adopted budget takes effect July 1 and will govern city spending through June 2027. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 14.
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