What contributes to the City of Gardena’s quality of life?

The City of Gardena is a vibrant city dedicated to providing quality services to residents. We are proud of the progress and investments made by our community over the years, including the soon-to-be-completed Community Aquatic & Senior Center and the future Mas Fukai Park improvement project.
Central to our City are community programs that touch the lives of our residents every day and maintaining public safety, including ensuring our Gardena Police Department is prepared and responsive when needed.

Additionally, maintaining services for Gardena senior citizens and families is a top priority for our City. These services include hot meals for seniors, cultural, park and recreation programs, and our supervised day care program for residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which provide support and peace-of-mind to many families in our community.

You can read more about the city budget at https://cityofgardena.org/city-budget. As the City of Gardena continues to plan for the future in this economic climate, the City is working hard to preserve city services and maintain residents’ quality of life.

What challenges does the City currently face?

The City is responsible for keeping our parks, roads, sidewalks, storm drains and other local infrastructure clean, safe and well-maintained. We’re also honored to have our own Police Department that provides services to our residents.

Though the City works hard to balance its budget each year, the scope of the City’s needs is greater than the current resources available as costs and demand for services continue to rise. For example, in 2024, the City responded to over 36,000 emergency 911 calls with only seven police officers on patrol at any time, and fire risks are much higher than they were in the past. There is an ongoing need for investment in public safety among other areas in our City.

Additionally, reducing homelessness in our area is going to require additional public safety resources to help address the issue.

How is the City planning to address these challenges?

As our community plans for the future, we are taking a close look at the public safety services, local infrastructure, public facilities and city programs that our community relies on. Over the years, the City has taken steps to increase efficiency and cut costs to our quality of life and the essential city services our residents depend upon.

Specifically, we are looking at the following needs:

• Maintaining fire and paramedic response, ensuring quick emergency services
• Keeping public areas and parks safe, clean and graffiti free
• Supporting public safety programs to prevent crime and homelessness
• Funding youth and senior programs to improve neighborhood safety
• Maintaining streets and fixing potholes

Is the City considering a sales tax?

A sales tax is one of the local funding options the City is considering to address our public safety and city service needs. A sales tax would not go into effect unless approved by the voters and could be placed on a 2026 ballot.

How much would a sales tax cost?

While no final decisions have been made, the City is considering a quarter-cent sales tax that would generate approximately $3.9 million in local funding for Gardena public safety and city services. For example, a quarter-cent increase would add 25¢ to a $100 purchase. Groceries, prescription medicine, diapers, and certain other essentials are exempt from sales taxes.

Can the state or federal governments cut or take these funds?

No. The funds raised by a new sales tax would be controlled locally to support city services. Nothing can be taken or redirected by the State or Los Angeles County. Right now, most sales tax revenue generated on sales in our city goes to the State or County. Placing a potential measure on the ballot would ensure a higher percentage of our sales tax dollars stay local to meet our community’s needs.

How can I learn more?

Please share your thoughts, opinions, and priorities to help shape the future of our City. To share your input or ask questions, please contact us at Gardena.Press@cityofgardena.org.