The overview
The budget for FY 2024-25 is approximately $13.033 million up from $7.335 million in FY 2023-24. The general fund budget increased by $3.175 million, bringing the estimated general fund total to $9.151 million. The property tax rate will remain at the previous rate of $0.4617 per $100 valuation.
The City of Hollywood Park will raise an additional 5.27%, or $182,360, in total property taxes. According to city documents, $9,269 of these additional taxes will be raised from new properties added to the tax roll.
Hollywood Park City Treasurer Fred Timmons said multiple cost savings measures were identified during a series of budget sessions. These include reevaluating the pay structure for part-time public safety employees and implementing a step program for raises and promotions within public safety departments. Timmons also reevaluated the budgeted interest income and increased it from $200,000 to $260,000.
Timmons said the FY 2024-25 budget provides the city with a $16,000 surplus.
Prior to adoption, Hollywood Park Council member Glenna Pearce thanked city officials and pointed out how the budget reflects the concerns of the residents.
Pearce said the budget process was very transparent, and the council made sure to listen to the residents while crafting the budget, especially when it came to raising taxes.
Pearce also commended city officials for not including raises for department heads.
“I am very grateful that the budget did not include a raise for department heads' salaries because we had over $75,000 in raises in last year’s budget,” Pearce said.
By the numbers
According to city documents, personnel costs average 85% of departmental expenses.
What else?
Prior to voting to approve the FY 2024-25 budget, Hollywood Park Mayor Chester Drash mentioned a need for the city to find additional revenue streams.
Drash said the city will search for ways to generate additional revenue for the city for the upcoming FY 2025-26 budget.
