STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
The City departments were tasked with identifying balancing measures that would facilitate a long-term approach and balance for the Five-Year SBP. Departments reviewed strategic priorities that aligned with public safety, infrastructure needs, and the continuation of excellent customer service.
Departments focused on discretionary costs such as business expenditures, contracts, travel and training, as well as consolidated vacant positions and were able to structurally adjust by relocating existing positions within other areas of the City to ensure service demands continued at the level Irvine residents expect. Contracts were reviewed and re-evaluated. Vendors were asked to reduce current and future pricing. To ensure continued fiscal responsibility, departments reviewed cost
“The baseline budget was presented at Community Budget Meetings across the City for open and transparent discussion.”
control and user fees in order to continue to deliver outstanding programs and services for a growing community based on the recommendations of a third party cost study commissioned by the City in 2018. Although fees increases are included in the five-year forecast, comparisons indicate that Irvine’s fee schedules remain at or below average amongst other similar municipalities in the region. The baseline budget was presented at Community Budget Meetings across the City for open and transparent discussion. A number of cost-reducing measures were identified throughout the fiscal forecast. With the input from the community, recommendations were further refined by the executive team, finance team, and City commissions
Citywide balancing measures include:
Expenditure measures To create a
sustainable,
structurally and priority driven budget, we reviewed staffing levels on a case by case basis, proposed reductions in vacancies with remaining staff doing more, shifted existing personnel to high demand areas, and leveraged technology to increase efficiencies. These measures are expected to save the City $2.4 million annually. balanced,
Citywide supplies, business expenses, and training expenditures were reviewed and assessed, and efficiencies resulting in cost savings were put in place, saving $0.4 million in General Fund resources annually.
FY 2019-21 Proposed Budget
455
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