STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
Staff reviewed and renegotiated contracts with vendors and service providers resulting in $2.5 million of annual cost savings. We have been able to utilize $3.3 million in special funds, such as traditional gas tax funds to address rising landscape maintenance costs for City streetscapes and medians.
Special funds will be utilized for front line law enforcement equipment, supplies, training, and focused enforcement operations, saving $1.1 million in General Fund resources. We are realigning our budget to more appropriately reflect the actual City staff time dedicated to the newly opened amenities at the Orange County Great Park. Particularly in Community Services, Public Works,
Marketing, and Planning, allocating $1 million in General Fund Expenditures to the Great Park thereby faithfully observing the City’s policy that the General Fund should not be used to subsidize the Great Park. Lastly, just under 10 percent of the City’s annual school funding of over $10 million will be paid by the revenues generated within the Great Park, to account for the schools located in that geographic area (5 out of 42, including the forthcoming Loma Ridge Elementary School). To free up Great Park resources necessary to support relevant staff and school expenses, we are proposing to ground the Great Park orange balloon, which is currently costing the taxpayers over $0.6 million annually. Similarly, the Global Village Festival is costing City’s taxpayers over $0.5 million annually and we are proposing to combine the Global Village and Spooktacular events, expanding them to two days. The proposal creates staffing and operational efficiencies along with improved visitor experience, and frees up another day in the Sports Complex which could generate $40,000 in revenue. We are proposing to reinstate the business license registration fee, at $50 annually for the smallest businesses and $70 annually for larger ones (with 5 or more employees). This proposal will generate approximately $1.5 million annually, helping to cover the cost of the program. We are looking to improve cost recovery for our athletic and aquatic facilities which are highly subsidized. This budget proposes to charge non-profit groups $10-20 per hour for the use of City athletic and aquatic facilities, generating $0.8 million in additional General Fund revenue. With these marginal new fees, department cost recovery is improved and the City still remains competitive with the surrounding communities. Additionally, with the continued growth of the City’s population, three parking enforcement officers are included to address parking safety generating $0.3 million annually. Revenue measures
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FY 2019-21 Proposed Budget
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