Summary

Council approves $1.8M mid‑year appropriations; directs Ambulance Operator enhancement and studies revenue measures

OrangeMar 24, 20262 min read

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At the March 24, 2026 Orange City Council meeting (City Council Chamber, 300 E. Chapman Avenue), Council held a closed session on existing litigation (J.C. v. City of Orange), received the mid‑year FY 2025‑26 budget report and authorized $1,804,700 in appropriations across multiple accounts, and held the first budget study session for FY 2026‑27. Council directed staff to include a proposed Ambulance Operator (AO) program enhancement in the FY 2026‑27 proposed budget and to return with projections for a sales tax measure and other potential revenue options. A proclamation recognized March as Women’s History Month.

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Orange City Council

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Budget & TaxPublic SafetyHousingUtilities

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Held Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. to discuss existing litigation: J.C. v. City of Orange et al., Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2026-01553378; no closed‑session reportable action.
Received and filed the Mid‑Year Status Update for the Fiscal Year 2025‑2026 Budget.
Authorized appropriations totaling $1,804,700 to specified accounts, including (selected allocations): HOME Developer $803,243; Capital Improvements - TRBA $312,820; CHDO $117,943; Other professional/technical services and software/capitalization and miscellaneous accounts totaling the remainder.
Directed staff to include the Ambulance Operator (AO) program enhancement model in the FY 2026‑2027 proposed budget.
Directed staff to return with projections for a proposed sales tax measure and to further analyze additional potential revenue measures (City Charter measure, Transient Occupancy Tax, utility tax, vacant property tax, cannabis tax, parking lot tax, residential caps, and possible sale of the Water Division).
Recognized March 2026 as Women’s History Month and received a brief update from the Orange County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.
Adjourned; next Regular City Council meeting scheduled for April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber.

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