"A staff report for Tuesday's City Council agenda cites several challenges, including legal payouts related to a notorious alleged sexual abuser who worked for the city. The city has paid out more than $229 million in settlements relating to sexual abuse by Eric Uller, a former Santa Monica police dispatcher. The city faces additional abuse claims from over 180 claimants, according to the report."
"Services in Santa Monica are also suffering, according to the report. During the COVID-19 pandemic, city leaders slashed the city's budget and eliminated hundreds of positions. City services haven't been restored to pre-pandemic levels, and several capital projects remain unfunded. Santa Monica's recently approved budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year expects expenditures of $484.3 million, but $473.5 million in revenue, the report states."
Santa Monica leaders were asked to declare a fiscal emergency amid an ongoing budget crisis. The city has paid more than $229 million in settlements related to sexual abuse by former police dispatcher Eric Uller and faces additional claims from over 180 claimants. Uller worked with children at a police nonprofit after-school program, and several former city employees reported his misconduct to investigators in 2018. COVID-19 budget cuts eliminated hundreds of positions, services have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, and several capital projects remain unfunded. The 2025–2026 budget projects $484.3 million in expenditures versus $473.5 million in revenue. Federal policy changes could further strain the local economy.
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