City Budget & Finance
Follow the money. The city budget in plain English, the taxes and utility rates residents actually pay, and the long-run financial picture — with the primary-source reports behind each number.
Guides & explainers
Redondo Beach Sales Tax Explained: Why It's 10.25% and Where Your Money Goes
The combined sales tax rate in Redondo Beach jumped to 10.25% in April 2025. Here's a breakdown of every layer — state, county, and city — and what the city actually keeps.
Explainer · 8 min
Redondo Beach Water and Sewer Rates Explained: Who Bills You, What You Pay, and How to Save
Your water comes from a private company, your sewer bill comes from the city, and a regional agency treats it all. Here's how the system works and what it costs.
Explainer · 9 min
Redondo Beach Property Taxes: How Your Bill Works, What You Pay, and Where the Money Goes
Prop 13, assessed values, supplemental bills, and the $48.8 million question — a plain-English guide to property taxes in Redondo Beach.
Guide · 8 min
The Redondo Beach 2027 Budget in Plain English
Where the city's money comes from, where it goes, and why the choices made this summer will shape Redondo for years.
Explainer · 7 min
Research
What's actually in the FY 2026-27 budget?
The City Manager's proposed budget lands $130.9M in spending against $129.6M in revenue — and draws the General Fund balance to zero. A plain-English breakdown before the June 2 public hearing.
Civic · 12 min
The City budget, in plain English
Where every City dollar comes from, where it goes, what the Council voted on, and how Redondo compares to its neighbors.
Civic · 10 min
Recent council activity
Council Preview: August 11, 2026
Council returns from summer break with federal funding for affordable housing, General Plan implementation ordinances, and commission interviews to fill multiple vacancies. Waterfront property negotiations dominate closed session.
Preview · 4 min
Council Preview: August 4, 2026
Council returns from summer break to address development impact fee increases in public hearing, multiple infrastructure project approvals, and closed session litigation matters. The meeting focuses on administrative business and routine approvals after a three-week recess.
Preview · 4 min
Council Recap: July 7, 2026
The new fiscal year opens: Council awards $3.57M in Measure FP design-build contracts, gives direction on a possible November General Plan ballot measure, raises Police and Fire user fees, hikes street-sweeping fines to $79, and negotiates with Nike over the waterfront behind closed doors.
Recap · 6 min
Council Recap: June 16, 2026
Budget night delivers: Council adopts the FY 2026-27 budget with a $199M capital program, approves $1.2M in new user fees, and rewrites its meeting rules before the SB 707 deadline.
Recap · 6 min
Council Preview: June 16, 2026
Budget adoption night. Council closes the FY 2026-27 budget hearing, considers a $1.2M user fee overhaul, rewrites its own rules of conduct, and convenes the Housing Authority.
Preview · 5 min
Council Recap: June 2, 2026
The FY 2026-27 budget hearing opens, the lighting assessment holds at 1991 rates, and Brad Waller becomes the next Mayor Pro Tem.
Recap · 5 min