Welcome to the City of Santa Monica Finance Department
The mission of the Finance Department is to provide sound business, financial and risk management support to internal and external customers, ensuring continuation of public services to the residents, visitors and businesses of Santa Monica through the protection of financial resources.
Santa Monica's geographic location and its diversified tax revenue base allows the local economy to weather fluctuations with minimal impact, protecting the City from downturns that impact one or a limited number of sectors of the economy. The City continues its long history of adopting balanced budgets and maintains healthy reserves to protect itself from shock losses. Prudent financial management has earned the City a AAA bond rating since 1995, and clean audits for over 30 years.
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**CITY OF SANTA MONICA CLOSURE ADVISORY MESSAGE**
Santa Monica City Hall and most public counters will be closed until further notice.
In order to make deliveries you will need to call the main phone line for the appropriate department when you arrive at the location. Do not leave packages outside the front doors. Please find a comprehensive list of phone numbers here. .
You may find an updated list of all closures here.
Local Funding Measure for Essential Services
The City Council is considering placing a local funding measure on the November 2020 ballot to support essential City services. More information can be found on this Information Sheet and answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.
FY 2020-21 Adopted Budget
On June 23, 2020, the City Council adopted a balanced budget for FY 2020-21 that is based on our City's longstanding values - accountability, equity, inclusion, innovation, resilience, safety, and stewardship. The Adopted Budget is $613.6 million in FY 2020-21. For more information, please view the FY 2020-21 Proposed Budget and the June 23, 2020 budget staff report to City Council.
Compensation
Learn about what makes up Santa Monica pay and benefits, the City's compensation philosophy, and see a two-page snapshot and high level view of Santa Monica's pensions.
Sales Tax Rate
Santa Monica’s sales tax rate is 10.25%. The Sales Tax page shows more detail.
Transparency
Santa Monica is committed to transparent financial management. View the City's credit ratings, recent financial status updates, and additional financial data.
Quick Links
- Annual Reports
- Open Data
- Open Gov
- Searchable Fees & Rates
- Bidding Opportunities (PlanetBids)
- Gann Appropriations Limit