Irvine residents could probably guess what was coming in the ensuing months when, in April, the city revealed a $6-million budget deficit that could grow to $47 million in four years. Officials could barely use the word “deficit,” as they referred to it as a “2% budget overage,” as if using linguistic bromides would soften the pain.
In May, City Council announced some audits. “We just want to make sure we look at all the items that got us to that situation,” said Councilmember William Go, while Councilmember Melinda Liu said that she did not want to “assign blame.” But it’s clear how the city got into this situation and perhaps it’s time for someone to accept responsibility.
A Register report ticked the city’s spending overages: “City Hall renovations, severance packages offered to staff in 2022, the cost of the 2025 State of the Great Park, the $700,000 spent on a Great Park gondola proposal … the city’s Office of Inclusive Excellence.” And, sure, members are right to look at where all the federal COVID “free money” went.
The council has started grappling with reality, but its proposals would punish residents and visitors rather than get spending under control. The Register reported the council is mulling a 2.4% fee on residents who use credit cards to pay for city services. Councilmember Mike Carroll wanted to know why out-of-towners attending lacrosse matches at the Great Park “are not paying $40 to park their car.”
Councilmember James Mai addressed the real problem, as he noted the city added 250 staff positions in the last five years. Reinforcing that point, the VoiceofOC reported last week that councilmembers have doubled their office budgets “from roughly $300,000 apiece a decade ago to over $600,000 each,” which further explains the deficit.
At least the council has shelved plans to consider raising sales taxes. Reports show the city’s budget is fundamentally sound. City Council simply needs to own up to its own deficit, pare back unnecessary spending and spare residents the pain of higher fees and taxes.