The City of Hawthorne has adopted its Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget, prioritizing essential community services, public safety initiatives and long-term fiscal responsibility. This budget ensures Hawthorne continues to provide excellent services while managing public funds transparently and responsibly.
Backed by an estimated $117.2 million in General Fund revenues, the new budget heavily invests in public safety. This includes $53.1 million to the Hawthorne Police Department and $17 million allocated for contracted county fire services to ensure rapid emergency response times and well-equipped personnel.
“This budget prioritizes the safety and well-being of our residents by funding our essential frontline services,” said Finance Director Felice Lopez. “This is a reflection of Hawthorne’s core values, ensuring that we responsibly manage public funds while delivering the high-quality services and community programs that our residents rely on.”
Earlier this year, the Government Finance Officers Association awarded Hawthorne its highest honor in governmental accounting: the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. This recognition underscores the City’s ongoing commitment to transparency and sound fiscal management.
Although the current budget is balanced, Hawthorne is taking steps to prevent future shortfalls. A recent independent fiscal study projects that city expenditures will soon outpace revenues, leading to a structural deficit by FY 2035-36. Without intervention, this gap could reach $1.7 million by FY 2040-41. To protect funding for essential services, the City has begun exploring new revenue streams; an increase to Hawthorne’s transit occupancy tax will be on the ballot this fall.
To view the adopted FY 2026-2027 budget, visit Hawthorne’s City Budget webpage. Residents can also subscribe to email notifications on the City’s homepage or follow Hawthorne’s social media channels for future financial updates.