US EditionSanta Monica could declare fiscal emergency
Santa Monica faces a $229 million liability from sexual abuse settlements and a 26.8% drop in General Fund Revenue, prompting a fiscal emergency declaration vote.
- On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, a vote will take place regarding a resolution to officially declare a fiscal emergency in Santa Monica.
- This action follows escalating financial strains caused by declining tourism tax revenue, increased liability costs from sexual abuse settlements, and other fiscal challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Santa Monica has spent over $229 million to resolve cases involving sexual misconduct allegations connected to former police dispatcher Eric Uller and is currently facing more than 180 additional claims seeking millions more in damages.
- The city budget for fiscal year 2025-2026 projects $484.3 million in expenditures against $473.5 million in revenue, with a 23.9% spending reduction eliminating 299 permanent positions, yet services remain below pre-pandemic levels.
- Declaring a fiscal emergency would authorize officials to take necessary measures to address this crisis, potentially improve grant eligibility, and signal the severity of Santa Monica’s financial condition.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Santa Monica to Consider Fiscal Emergency Declaration
The Santa Monica City Council Tuesday is expected to consider declaring a fiscal emergency in the city — with officials saying the move is necessary to address financial strains from a reduction in tourism tax revenue and an increase in liability costs. On Tuesday’s agenda, council members are scheduled to discuss and vote on a resolution to declare the fiscal emergency. A report noted that the resolution would provide Santa Monica with an offic…
Santa Monica city leaders expected to declare "fiscal emergency"
The city of Santa Monica may be on the verge of a financial crisis and city leaders may have to declare a fiscal emergency in order to deal with a long running budget crisis that seems to be getting worse.
The Southern California coastal city of Santa Monica will decide on Tuesday (9th) whether to declare a state of financial emergency in light of declining city revenue and rising sexual assault claims. According to a staff report from Interim City Attorney Heidi Von Tongeln, the City Council will consider a resolution declaring a state of financial emergency to allow the city manager to take steps to address the crisis.
Santa Monica to face reality of fiscal crisis
Santa Monica City Council will consider declaring a state of fiscal distress today as the city grapples with massive legal settlements and ongoing budget deficits while simultaneously advancing ambitious climate and demographic policy initiatives. The council is expected to adopt a resolution identifying ‘local fiscal distress based on decreased revenue and increased liabilities,’ citing the […] The post Santa Monica to face reality of fiscal cr…
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