COMMUNITY PROFILE
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is a premier public safety agency that proudly provides superior fire protection and medical emergency services to the City of Irvine. Along with fire suppression and paramedic services, OCFA also provides fire prevention, hazardous materials response, ambulance transport, disaster preparedness, rescue, and community education services. There are 12 active fire stations throughout the City of Irvine, including one at John Wayne Airport. As the largest of the 16 Structural Fire Fund member cities in the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Irvine is a major contributor to Orange County fire protection and emergency medical services. Irvine property owners pay for fire services through a portion of their property tax payments. The City also receives additional fire service enhancement s funded through OCFA’s budget surpluses. Approximately $125 million of Irvine property tax dollars have been allocated to the OCFA in FY 2022-23 and an estimated $527 million over the previous five years. The Orange County Public Libraries is a network of 33 libraries in Orange County, of which Irvine has three library branches: Heritage Park, Katie Wheeler, and University Park. Irvine contributes property tax to service Irvine libraries. Irvine property tax projections over the next five years is approximately $92.2 million. The Irvine Unified School District includes four K-8, 24 elementary, six middle, and five high schools, plus an alternative and independent high school, as well as an early childhood learning center. The Irvine Ranch Water District provides water and sewer service.
History According to archeological research, prehistoric man first appeared in Irvine at least 12,000 – 18,000 years ago. Gabrielino Indians — one of the original inhabitants of what is now Orange County — moved into the Irvine area 2,000 years ago, establishing villages near present-day San Joaquin Marsh and Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course. The Gabrielinos lived in round, woven huts; ate shellfish, waterfowl, and land animals; and were excellent basket weavers and makers of seashell and stone jewelry. In 1769, Spanish explorers led by Gaspar de Portolá entered the San Joaquin Valley bringing forts, missions, and herds of cattle. The king of Spain began to parcel out lands for missions and private land grants. After gaining independence from Spain in 1831, the Mexican government secularized these missions, assumed control of the land grants, and began distributing ranchos to Mexican citizens.
Gabrielino Indians were the original inhabitants of what is now Orange County. Photograph courtesy of The Irvine Historical Society
In 1846, the Mexican army was defeated in the final battle of the Mexican-American War, and California was annexed to the United States. Landholders were forced to reapply for valid titles to their ranchos, and one such property was eventually divided among four prosperous sheep ranchers: Benjamin and Thomas Flint, Llewellyn Bixby, and James Irvine. The Irvine, Flint, and Bixby ranches were first devoted to sheep grazing. James Irvine died in 1886, leaving control of the ranch to his son, who incorporated the land
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FY 2023-25 Adopted Budget
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