The City Manager releases a proposed budget every April in accordance with the City’s Charter, which include both a proposed Operating Budget and a proposed Capital Budget along with a five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The City’s Operating Budget supports services such as library, recreation, art and human services, and fire and police. The City’s Capital budget is focused on capital and infrastructure project investments.
Of the City of Palo Alto’s General Fund operation budget, sixty percent of General Fund revenues go towards providing essential City’s services such as police and fire services, community and library services and more. The General Fund comprises approximately 25% of the total citywide expense budget. About 55% of all annual General Fund revenues are from taxes such as Property Tax, Sales Tax, and Transient Occupancy Tax. The remaining revenue sources include fees and charges from residents and businesses, charges to other funds for services provided, and rental income. The capital budget accounts for funding programmed to build, repair, and upgrade the City’s infrastructure such as roads, buildings, electric transmission lines, gas and sewer pipes, and the City’s fleet of vehicles.
“Our City at Work” is a services guide and complements the City of Palo Alto’s budget, highlighting the work that our staff do every day to support all Palo Alto residents. From our Fire Department to our Information Technology Department, we work together to deliver cost-effective services in a personal, responsive and innovative way.
View the City Services Guide(PDF, 27MB).
Last April, the City issued a community update on mid-year finance status update. Read this update here.