Summary

Orange City Council meeting summary

OrangeMay 27, 20264 min read

At a glance

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Council approved police camera agreements, reviewed the preliminary FY 2026-27 budget, approved a 71-home redevelopment project, placed a Transient Occupancy Tax measure on the November ballot, and continued consideration of a proposed one-cent sales tax.

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Orange City Council

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TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyCommerceElectionsEnvironmentalHousing

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What this means

The Council approved contracts to expand use of automatic license plate readers and Flock cameras for the Police Department, which will be used for law enforcement purposes and raised public privacy questions during the meeting. The City reviewed and affirmed its preliminary budget and directed staff to return in June for final adoption; this sets the spending plan and staffing assumptions the City will use to finalize next year’s budget. The Council approved a housing redevelopment proposal for 71 small-lot homes at 2375 N. Tustin Street and moved a hotel tax increase (Transient Occupancy Tax) to the November 3 ballot, which, if approved by voters, would raise the hotel tax rate from 10% to 14% for hotels with 11 or more rooms.

Key decisions

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Approved agreement with Belmont Estates Homeowners Association for construction, installation, maintenance, and operation of automatic license plate reader equipment within public right-of-way.
Approved two-year agreement with Insight Public Sector, Inc. for Flock camera licenses, software, and services in the amount of $387,280 (service $377,280 + $10,000 contingency) and authorized appropriation of $193,640 from AB3229-COPS/State-Supplemental Law Enforcement Services fund.
Adopted resolutions calling the General Municipal Election for November 3, 2026; adopted candidate statement regulations; and requested consolidation of the City election with the statewide election.
Adopted Resolution No. 11690 placing a Transient Occupancy Tax measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot to increase the tax rate from 10% to 14% for hotels with 11 or more rooms; authorized filing of arguments in favor of the measure.
Continued consideration of a proposed one-cent sales tax measure (multiple motions regarding term/sunset failed and the item was continued to the next Council meeting).
Reviewed and affirmed the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Preliminary Citywide Budget (total revenues $292.9 million; total expenditures $317.3 million; General Fund revenues $171.2 million and expenditures $170.8 million) and staffing at 708.567 budgeted FTEs; directed staff to return in June for budget adoption.
Adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration No. ENV25-0001 and approved General Plan Amendment, Tentative Tract Map, Major Site Plan, and Administrative Design Review for redevelopment of 2375 N. Tustin Street with 71 three-story single-family small-lot homes; introduced Zone Change Ordinance No. 06-26.
Adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 08-26 establishing a temporary moratorium on new massage establishments pending code updates.
Approved Santiago Creek Commission’s Santiago Creek Strategic Plan implementation strategy.
Approved purchase of replacement laptop and tablet computers from CPAC, Inc. for $122,812.42.
Approved an increase to a blanket purchase order with LineGear Fire & Rescue Equipment for safety gear and equipment not-to-exceed $218,500 to support Fire Operations and Emergency Medical Transport.
Introduced and conducted first reading of Ordinance No. 05-26 amending the Tobacco Retailer Permit program to eliminate certain retail restrictions and clarify permit transferability.
Adopted Resolution No. 11684 establishing a Technology Disruption Policy for public meetings to comply with Senate Bill 707 requirements.
Directed staff to prepare an economic development subsidy report and schedule a public hearing on the proposed Vehicle Incentive Program, contingent on voter approval of any related transactions and a use tax increase.
Confirmed appointment of Robert Paul to the Audit Advisory Committee for a two-year term ending June 30, 2028.
Continued consideration of Executive Management and Senior Management employees’ classification, compensation, and terms of employment to a date uncertain.

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