House GOP investigates Biden family

SB City Council learns about $667 million budget

Finance director says revenue growth isn’t enough to cover deficit

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara City Council heard an overview Tuesday of the city administrator’s recommended budget for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025, which will present both fiscal and budgetary problems.

The proposed budget for FY 2024 is $667 million. The General Fund of $220 million represents one third of the city budget.

However, the General Fund “has a structural deficit we need to address,” City Finance Director Keith DiMartini told the council. While property tax revenue is stable, he said, “ongoing revenue growth is not enough” to cover the deficit, he said.