Topping this week’s actions in local government, several cities adopt new budgets, and supervisors meet on a potential $140 million hit to the county budget.
Budget season is in full swing this week, with many cities debating and approving new spending plans for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, which begins July 1 in every city but Huntington Beach.
Approvals are scheduled in Santa Ana, Brea, Fullerton, Los Alamitos, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo.
Fountain Valley, La Palma and Yorba Linda plan to discuss next’s years proposed budgets and likely will make changes.
A city’s budget is often considered its most important document, laying out spending priorities and goals for services like parks, police, libraries and street maintenance.
Each of the budget meetings provides an opportunity for residents to weigh in and add their voice to the mix.
A special closed session is scheduled for county supervisors Monday to discuss an ongoing lawsuit by the state Department of Finance after a judge ruled that the county owes the state more than $140 million.
Supervisors are appealing that decision after losing their case last month.
The issue is the result of an omission several years ago by supervisors and county legislative staffers, who ignored warnings after they refinanced the 1994 county bankruptcy debt.
Here’s a rundown of what’s up for debate this week across Orange County:
Orange County Board of Supervisors Special Meeting, Monday, June 3, at 12:30 p.m.
Closed Session
- Discussion of a California Department of Finance lawsuit in which a judge recently ruled that the county must return more than $140 million in property tax revenue to the state.
Santa Ana City Council, Monday, June 3, at 5:45 p.m.
- Approving the city’s two-year budget for fiscal years 2013-15.
- Approving a $364,000-per-year helicopter services contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
- Approving a $50,000 contract to Management Partners Inc. to prepare the city’s five-year strategic plan.
- Approving a $200,000 contract to Acire Inc. to provide design-build services for construction of secure bike parking facilities.
- After-hours conditional use permit for The C4: Cure For the Common Deli.
- Amending the city’s sunshine ordinance to extend the deadline for adopting the city’s five-year strategic plan, among other minor changes.
Costa Mesa City Council, Tuesday, June 4, at 6 p.m.
- Appointing 13 residents to form the city’s new Charter Committee.
- Adopting a resolution opposing the South Coast AQMD’s proposed ban on beach bonfires.
- Approving an agreement with the 32nd District Agricultural Association to reimburse the city up to $400,000 for having police officers manage traffic at this year’s Orange County Fair.
- Directing the Financial Advisory Committee to study the city’s business license tax.
Fountain Valley City Council, Tuesday, June 4, at 5 p.m.
- Study session on fiscal year 2013-2014 operating budget and setting adoption hearing for June 18.
Closed Session
- Direction to negotiator on terms and benefits to be paid to the new city manager.
Brea City Council, Tuesday, June 4, at 6:15 p.m.
- Study session to “clarify regular meeting topics.”
- Approving fiscal year 2013-2014 budgets.
Huntington Beach City Council, Monday, June 3, at 4 p.m.
- Presentation by the police department on its proposal to install video cameras downtown, as well as recommendations surrounding alcohol sales downtown.
- Repealing the city’s ban on hypnotism by anyone other than licensed psychologists.
Fullerton City Council, Tuesday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m.
- Adopting fiscal year 2013-2014 budgets.
Los Alamitos City Council Special Meeting, Monday, June 3, at 6 p.m.
- Adopting the fiscal year 2013-2014 operating and capital improvement budgets.
La Palma City Council, Tuesday, June 4 at 7 p.m.
- Making adjustments to the fiscal year 2013-2014 proposed city budget.
Yorba Linda City Council, Tuesday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m.
- Directing staff on the proposed fiscal year 2013-2014 budget.
Dana Point City Council, Tuesday, June 4, at 5 p.m.
- Approving a one-year contract for the intervention specialist program at Dana Hills High School for $55,000.
- Approving an ordinance establishing permit fees for operating short-term rentals.
Aliso Viejo City Council, Wednesday, June 5, at 7 p.m.
- Approving the law enforcement services agreement for fiscal year 2013-2014 for $6.6 million.
- Adopting the proposed budget for fiscal year 2013-2014.
Laguna Beach City Council, Tuesday, June 4, at 6 p.m.
- Approving an agreement with Orange County to coordinate and provide Emergency Mass Notification Services (AlertOC) to the city through 2017.
- Approving a two-year contract with West Coast Arborists for tree maintenance services at $107,000 per year.
Laguna Niguel City Council, Tuesday, June 4, at 7 p.m.
- Approving an agreement to receive prosecution services from Orange County.
- Adopting the operating budget and capital improvement program for fiscal year 2013-2014.
- Discussing recommendations to expand use of the city government access channel.
Lake Forest City Council, Tuesday, June 4, at 7 p.m.
- Approving a three-year contract with Automated Data Processing to provide payroll services and human resources administration.
- Authorizing a request for proposals for solid waste collection services.
- Authorizing a request for proposals for legislative and grant consulting services.
Mission Viejo City Council, Monday, June 3, at 6 p.m.
- Approving a two-year contract extension with Siemens for traffic signal services at $850,000.
- Approving a two-year contract with Merchants Landscape Services for monthly landscape maintenance for $800,000.
- Approving a two-year contract extension with West Coast Arborists for triee maintenance services at $590,000 per year.
- Approving the proposed two-year budget for fiscal years 2013-2015.
San Clemente City Council, Monday, June 4, at 6 p.m.
- Approving a water rate increase of 6 percent to increase funds by approximately $700,000.
Adam Elmahrek and Brendan Wiles contributed to this report.
You can reach Nick Gerda at ngerda@gmail.com, and follow him on Twitter: @nicholasgerda.
