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Culver City Ends Fiscal Emergency After Voters Approve Sales Tax Measure
The City Council action follows the 2025 voter approval of a transactions tax that resolved the shortfall declared the prior year.
How we reported this
The Culver City City Council voted unanimously at its May 26, 2026 meeting to declare an end to the fiscal emergency first declared in April 2025. The declaration came after voters approved Measure CL in August 2025, a one-quarter cent Transactions and Use Tax increase.
Path from April 2025 Shortfall
The emergency had been declared after city revenues fell short of obligations. Measure CL provided the additional revenue stream that allowed the council to stabilize accounts without further cuts. Council members cited the August 2025 ballot result as the direct reason the emergency could now be lifted.
Staff received direction to complete the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget document. That budget adds money for the Mobile Crisis Team, supports childcare centers through the Forgivable Revolving Loan Fund, and expands the Culver City Afterschool Recreation Program. An updated Comprehensive Fee Schedule also took effect, applying a 2.9 percent Consumer Price Index adjustment, ending the block party permit fee, and lowering commercial fire inspection fees.
Related Land-Use and Outreach Steps
Alongside the budget work, the council introduced an ordinance for the Fox Hills Specific Plan and zoning amendments that removed the hotel incentive zone. The same meeting approved an interactive digital kiosk program for sidewalks that will display meeting notices, event listings, transit options, and emergency alerts. A second public assembly session on budget participation is set for July 16-18, 2026.
These actions close the chapter that began with the April 2025 emergency declaration. The council will now move the finalized budget and the Fox Hills ordinance through remaining procedural steps.