Opinion

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Press release

This story is part of the Voice of OC Collegiate News Service, a partnership with Chapman University that trains student journalists to cover public policy across Orange County. Have a student project or a response to this work? Email admin@voiceofoc.org.

City officials across Orange County are struggling to balance municipal budgets, with some facing multi-million dollar structural deficits – forcing some cities to issue spending cuts, hiring freezes and floating the idea of tax increases. 

Budget deficits are a growing trend that’s also hitting the County of Orange, which is grappling with a $75 million structural deficit – a gap largely filled by leaning on reserves. 

Lingering budget gaps are forcing some cities to rethink how to boost revenue, with Huntington Beach officials looking to sell advertising spaces on lifeguard towers and make money off merch to reverse the city’s spending gap. 

Surf City officials are also considering a nearly $15 million overhaul to the sports complex as some council members say the move will drum up much-needed tax revenue, while others question just how fiscally responsible the proposal is. 

After slashing spending and dismantling five city commissions to help balance the budget, Santa Ana City Council members are asking voters this November to make a temporary sales tax hike permanent as staff say they still expect a deficit even if the tax hike remains.  

Meanwhile, city council members in Orange are looking to fine property owners for unkempt buildings – targeting things like overgrown shrubs and deteriorating paint in an effort they say will curb blight and vagrancy as the city struggles with an ongoing budget deficit. 

Orange City Council members also extended a massage parlor moratorium for nearly two years as city officials allege some of the businesses are home to illicit sexual activity and drugs. 

Local police departments are increasingly using drones as licence plate readers and surveillance cameras proliferate – raising privacy concerns. 

After seeing a decline in people sleeping on the streets, Newport Beach officials switched homeless shelter services from Costa Mesa to Huntington Beach – losing 10 shelter beds in the process. 

Lake Forest City Council members signed off on a warehouse development after nearby residents have been raising noise and pollution concerns for years.