Orange County's three largest cities – Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Irvine – are grappling with budget deficits this fiscal year, leading some officials to consider spending cuts and new revenue streams, according to a report by voiceofoc.org.
Anaheim anticipates that a structural deficit will consume approximately half of the $120 million in new tax revenue expected to enter the general fund. This revenue becomes available after the city pays off the $510 million Disneyland Resort expansion bonds, originally issued in 1997.
In Santa Ana, officials have implemented various spending cuts, including an after-school program and city commissions, to balance the municipal budget. They are also considering asking voters to make a temporary sales tax increase permanent to sustain the budget.
Irvine is also navigating a budget deficit, with city council members reviewing options such as implementing paid parking for out-of-town visitors at the Great Park.
Beyond these cities, Placentia voters may consider a hotel tax increase measure on the November election ballot.
At the county level, the Orange County Grand Jury issued a report questioning the effectiveness of county leaders in ensuring accountability among elected officials, particularly following corruption scandals. The OC Treasurer-Tax Collector has publicly raised concerns regarding budget cuts to their office by OC Supervisors, highlighting the office's role in collecting property taxes, which constitute 90% of the county's discretionary budget. Separately, after multiple unsuccessful hiring searches, OC Supervisors appointed the head of technology as the interim CEO to manage the county's daily operations. Additionally, some Santa Ana City Council members and one OC Supervisor have voiced concerns about a planned halfway house in Santa Ana, a city that already hosts numerous social services.
A state bill that could affect the California Public Records Act, a foundational law allowing public access to government documents, prompted concerns from open government and press organizations. The bill was subsequently reworked to remove costly fees that could have been imposed on individuals seeking public records.
In Huntington Beach, all seven City Council seats could potentially be on the ballot. This follows an Orange County Superior Court Judge's order for the city to modify its election system, a decision stemming from a lawsuit alleging the current voting method disenfranchises minority voters.
Starting next month, all Orange County residents will have the option to provide public comments remotely through services such as Zoom. This change is a result of a state law requiring all city councils and the OC Board of Supervisors to accept virtual comments from the public.
Furthermore, a controversial landfill expansion in South Orange County may face a lawsuit from conservation groups, who have expressed concerns that the expansion could threaten the local mountain lion population.
