Categories: CharityCommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Santa Ana City Council to Review $778.4 Million Budget

Santa Ana City Council meeting focusing on the proposed budget.

News Summary

The Santa Ana City Council is set to review a proposed budget of $778.4 million during an upcoming meeting. The council aims to finalize this budget by the July 31 deadline, highlighting allocations for police services, public works, and city infrastructure. Key funding sources include the Measure X sales tax, which is crucial for maintaining city services and improving facilities. The proposed budget emphasizes the importance of adequate funding for essential city operations and programs that impact residents’ daily lives.

Santa Ana, CA — The Santa Ana City Council is set to review a proposed budget of $778.4 million during a meeting on Tuesday, June 3. The council aims to finalize the budget by a July 31 deadline to ensure adequate funding for city services and operations for the upcoming fiscal year.

This proposed budget is crucial as it delineates how taxpayer spending will be allocated across various city services, influencing the daily lives of residents. The city’s general fund is projected to generate $413.8 million in revenue for the fiscal year 2025-26, marking an increase of $6.8 million from this year’s $407 million. However, planned expenditures are projected to surpass revenues at $424.2 million.

One of the largest areas of spending is designated for police services, with the Santa Ana Police Department budgeted at $161.6 million. The funding will be used to hire additional civilian staff, bolster gang prevention initiatives, and purchase body cameras for officers. Other significant allocations within the proposed budget include $22.7 million for operating the city jail and $3.2 million to enhance ambulance services, which includes $900,000 for an additional ambulance to improve emergency response capability.

Funding for various city services is partly reliant on the Measure X sales tax, which is a 1.5% local sales tax approved by Santa Ana voters in 2018. Measure X is expected to generate approximately $83.9 million in the upcoming fiscal year, aiding services that focus on homelessness prevention, park maintenance, and street cleaning initiatives. However, the sales tax is scheduled to expire in 2029, and the city manager’s office is preparing for its eventual conclusion.

The proposed budget outlines a substantial investment in public works and infrastructure, amounting to around $58 million. Key allocations include $13 million for park maintenance, $5 million for transportation improvements, $3.5 million for paving projects, $1 million for sidewalk repairs, and another $1 million for crossing guards. Additionally, there is a $250,000 investment earmarked for the installation of a left-turn signal at the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Flower Street.

In terms of recreational services, the parks and recreation budget is slated for just under $15.3 million, a slight reduction from this year’s $16.1 million. This includes approximately $8.5 million for city-run recreation programs and community events, alongside $3.6 million for zoo operations. Furthermore, library services are set to increase to $8.6 million from the previous year’s $7.9 million, enabling the introduction of a second bookmobile, new staff, Wi-Fi hotspots, and digital library content enhancements.

To improve library facilities, the proposed budget allocates $235,320 for reopening the Main and Newhope library branches, which will feature updated technology and STEM programming. In terms of cannabis tax revenue, an estimated $12.7 million will be directed to support youth, library, and recreation programs within the city.

The budget also includes provisions for the addition or maintenance of several city staff positions, including a dedicated Vietnamese community liaison. Additionally, one-time expenditures feature $250,000 for improvements to the parking lot at Bristol Street and Edinger Avenue, $250,000 for new bus shelters, and $1.3 million for lighting enhancements at Centennial Park. Funding is also set aside for arts and culture projects, including $150,000 for the monthly Art Walk and $200,000 for general arts funding.

The Santa Ana City Council is expected to vote on the proposed budget on June 17. For the city to move forward with its fiscal planning, the budget must be officially adopted by the established July 31 deadline.