FY 2026-27 budget and capital improvement program
Santa Monica
Summary
The city projects its first structurally balanced budget through the realignment plan — new ambulance, digital signage and parking revenue — plus expiration of the $12 million joint use agreement with the school district in 2027. The $109.8 million CIP funds Memorial Park expansion, playgrounds, streetlights, Library renovations and Olympic readiness.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 1
Last discussed May 26, 2026.
Impact analysis
$109.8M capital budget year one; fee changes add $2.1M citywide including $1.5M to the general fund; school district joint-use funding of $12M comes off the books in 2027.
Residents through restored parks, streetlights, library upgrades and safer streets; park swimmers and small businesses may face some fee changes.
Swim program users oppose the adult aquatics permit fee increase; school district programs could lose $12M in joint-use funding after 2027 without a parcel tax or replacement funding.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Why Santa Monica's Measure ES Protects Schools
If you've been following Measure ES in these pages, you've heard that the school district is flush, that the cuts are exaggerated, and that this is a City tax in disguise. I'm a Santa Monica parent, a PTA volun...
On the California Coast, a Picture-Perfect City Falls on Hard Times
On the California Coast, a Picture-Perfect City Falls on Hard Times WSJ
May 26 - May 26, 2026
The city projects its first structurally balanced budget through the realignment plan — new ambulance, digital signage and parking revenue — plus expiration of the $12 million joint use agreement with the school district in 2027. The $109.8 million CIP funds Memorial Park expansion, playgrounds, streetlights, Library renovations and Olympic readiness.
Once-booming Santa Monica faces a dire fiscal crisis. The surprising way it got there
Once-booming Santa Monica faces a dire fiscal crisis. The surprising way it got there Los Angeles Times
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