CITY OF ALISO VIEJO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
May 6, 2026
Council Chambers, City Hall
12 Journey
Aliso Viejo, California
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Duncan called the Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo to order at 6:15 p.m.
TELECONFERENCE: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(b), Councilmember Dwyer participated in the meeting via teleconference from the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, 74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260. The agenda for said meeting was posted at the location as required by the Brown Act.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: MAYOR MAX DUNCAN
MAYOR PRO TEM MIKE MUNZING
COUNCILMEMBER TIFFANY ACKLEY
COUNCILMEMBER GARRETT DWYER (Via Teleconference)
COUNCILMEMBER TIM A. ZANDBERGEN
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: ANN EIFERT, INTERIM CITY MANAGER / DIRECTOR OF
FINANCIAL SERVICES
SCOTT SMITH, CITY ATTORNEY
MARIA KENDIG, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES /
CITY CLERK
SO KIM, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SHAUN PELLETIER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
LIZZY MENDOZA, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES
MANAGER
ISAAC AZIZ, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER
CAPT. RYAN BUHR, ALISO VIEJO POLICE SERVICES
DIVISION FIRE CHIEF REID GIBSON
STUDY SESSION:
FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 DRAFT ANNUAL BUDGET
The City Council received a presentation regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2026- 27 Draft Annual Budget. Interim City Manager/Director of Financial Services Eifert provided an overview of estimated General Fund revenues totaling approximately $30.1 million, with primary revenue sources consisting of sales tax (38%), property tax (35%), franchise fees (6%), transient occupancy tax (5%), recreation revenues (5%), and building and planning revenues (4%). Staff discussed economic factors impacting revenues, including inflation, interest rates, housing inventory, valuation appeals, and sales tax subsidy agreements.
Staff also reviewed proposed General Fund operating appropriations totaling approximately $29.6 million. Major expenditure categories included Public Safety (42%), Community and Economic Development (18%), Administration and Support (17%), Community Services (11%), and Public Works (7%). The budget includes salary and benefit increases, CaPERS unfunded pension liability costs, insurance premium increases, contractual obligations, election costs, a master fee study, economic development initiatives, and General Plan evacuation assessment work.
The presentation included department-level budget summaries for Public Safety, Community and Economic Development, Recreation and Community Services, Public Works, Administration and Support, and City Hall operations. Staff also reviewed the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 Capital Improvement Program totaling $247,500, which included improvements at Vista Park, the Aquatic Center, Aliso Viejo Center, and the Dairy Fork/Wood Canyon Wetlands area.
Staff reported that the proposed budget reflects an estimated operating surplus of approximately $468,609 prior to capital improvement expenditures and an estimated year-end fund balance of approximately $45.4 million, representing a projected increase of approximately $221,109 or 0.5%. City Council received and discussed the presentation and asked questions from staff.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Duncan adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on May 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Special Meeting Minutes
Respectfully submitted: Approved by:
MAMEna Rendey
MARIA KENDIG MAX DUNCAN
CITY CLERK MAYOR
Special Meeting Minutes