Pasadena City Council Backs Fire Parcel Tax and College Bond Measure

The Pasadena City Council voted to support a fire department parcel tax and a community college bond proposal ahead of the November general election, adopting recommendations forwarded by its Legislative Policy Committee.

Measure PFD proposes an annual tax of 19 cents per square foot on improved property for 14 years. It is estimated to generate roughly $22.1 million per year for the Pasadena Fire Department to finance 911 dispatch, wildfire mitigation, medical emergency equipment, facility upgrades, and staff retention. The council also endorsed Measure UP, a $485 million bond measure for Pasadena City College aimed at upgrading campus roofs, plumbing, electrical infrastructure, and career training facilities for fields including health care and emergency services without raising the current tax rate.

In addition to local measures, the council followed committee advice to back California Proposition 1, which funds housing affordability and homelessness prevention programs. It took opposing positions on Proposition 39, a voter photo identification requirement, and Proposition 43, which would increase the approval threshold for local voter-initiated special taxes to a two-thirds supermajority.