Inglewood municipal budget and election issues

The city of Inglewood is navigating a significant fiscal challenge, facing a projected $30.8 million budget deficit for the upcoming year. This represents the city’s largest deficit in at least two decades, driven by general fund expenditures that have roughly doubled since SoFi Stadium opened in 2020, while revenue growth has plateaued.

Mayor James Butts has indicated that the city’s reserves of over $150 million can cover the gap, but long-term stability may depend on the outcome of local ballot measures in the November 3 election. Measure AT is a key component of this fiscal strategy; if passed, it could generate between $45 million and $50 million in additional tax revenue from major event ticket sales.

The upcoming election also features a mayoral race with six candidates, including incumbent Butts. The political landscape is heavily influenced by Measure AT and Measure BB. While Measure AT seeks to implement taxes on admissions for large venues to address the deficit, Measure BB aims to restrict the city’s authority to authorize public advertising. These measures have drawn distinct support from different interest groups, including stadium interests and billboard operators.