Discussion:
The FY 2026-27 total cost of $11,550,802 does not include any potential increases as a result of labor negotiations that may commence after the approval of the agreement.
According to OCSD estimates, a 1% salary increase to labor agreements equate to a $92,533 increase to the contract amount with the City.
A reduction in contract costs of up to $811,137 can be achieved with the continued freezing, elimination, or re-classification of three current vacant positions and equipment provided below.
Position Title / Equipment
FY 2026-27
Deputy Sheriff II – Motorcycle $ 353,921
Community Services Officer (CSO)/Parking Control 180,398 Senior Emergency Management Program Coordinator 205,918 CSO Vehicle
Total Potential Reduction in Costs
70,900
$ 811,137
The current proposed FY 2026 -27 Annual B udget includes the full cost of the law enforcement contract of $11,550,802 as outlined in the FY 2026 -27 agreement (attachment 1) and summary cost sheet (attachment 2). At this time, Staff recommends approving the agreement as provided.
City staff, along with the Chief of Police Services, will be evaluating the current staffing levels to identify potential savings moving forward. Any recommended changes to the contract will be presented to City Council for consideration and approval at a future Council meeting.
Attachments:
1. Agreement
2. FY 2026-27 OCSD Summary Cost Sheet
Revised 6/3/2026
185
CONTRACT
With
City of Aliso Viejo
For
Law Enforcement Services
This Contract for Law Enforcement Services, ( ) is made and entered into as of the date fully executed by and between the County of Orange, a political subdivision of the State of California ( ) on behalf of Orange County Sheriff Department, , and the City of Aliso Viejo, ( City) with County and City sometimes
ATTACHMENTS
This Contract is comprised of this document and the following Attachments, which are attached hereto and incorporated by reference into this Contract:
Attachment A Scope of Work
Attachment B Payment Provisions
Attachment C Level of Service
Attachment D City Ordinances
Attachment E TVAP Resolution
Attachment F TVAP Form
Attachment G Forfeited and Seized Asset Policy
RECITALS
WHEREAS, City wishes to contract with County for law enforcement services; and WHEREAS, County is agreeable to the rendering of such services, as authorized in Government Code sections 51301, 54981, and 55632, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties mutually agree as follows:
ARTICLES
General Terms and Conditions:
A. Term of Contract: This Contract shall commence July 1, 2026 and terminate June 30, 2027 unless earlier terminated by either Party or extended in the manner set forth herein.
B. Termination: County and City may terminate this Contract, without cause, upon one-hundred and eighty (180) days written notice to the other Party.
If the County and City have not entered into a written Contract for further law enforcement services thirty (30) days before this Contract terminates, then the County and City may execute an amendment that provides as follows and does not materially alter other terms of the Contract: County shall continue to provide to City all, or a designated part, of the law enforcement services specified herein, for sixty (60) days following the termination date of this Contract, and City shall pay County the full costs of providing such services. Such full costs may be greater than those listed herein.
C. Entire Contract: This Contract contains the entire Contract between the parties with respect to the matters herein, and there are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings other than those set forth herein or referred to herein.
D. Amendments: Unless expressly provided for in this Contract, no alteration or variation of the terms of this Contract shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by the parties; no oral understanding or Contract not 186
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incorporated herein shall be binding on either of the parties; and no exceptions, alternatives, substitutes or revisions are valid or binding on either Party unless authorized in writing.
E. Severability:If any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Contract is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated thereby.
F. Headings: Headings used throughout this Contract are for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions of this Contract.
G. Independent Contractor: County is and at all times shall be deemed to be, an independent contractor. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as creating the relationship of employer and employee, or principal and agent, between City Sheriff shall retain
all authority for rendition of services, standards of performance, control of personnel, and other matters incident to the performance of services by County pursuant to this Contract. County, its agents and employees, shall not be entitled to any rights or privileges of City employees and shall not be considered in any manner to be City employees.
H. Indemnification: City agrees to indemnify, defend with counsel approved in writing by County, and hold liability of any kind or nature, including but not limited to injury to or death of persons, or property damage, arising from or related to allegations based on acts or omissions of City related to this Contract.
County agrees to indemnify, defend with counsel approved in writing by City, and hold City and its elected and appointed officials, officers, agents, employees, subcontractors and independent contractors harmless from any claims, demands or liability of any kind or nature, including but not limited to injury to or death of persons, or property damage, arising from or related to allegations based on acts or omissions of County related to this Contract. County Indemnitees shall not be deemed to have assumed any liability for any dangerous or defective ordinances.
If judgement is entered against City and County by a court of competent jurisdiction because of the concurrent active negligence of County or County Indemnitees, City and County agree that liability will be apportioned as determined by the court. Neither party shall request a jury apportionment.
I. State Audit: Pursuant to Government Code Section 8546.7, City and County shall be subject to examination and audit by the State Auditor for a period of three years after final payment by City to County under this Contract. City and County shall retain all records relating to the performance of this Contract for said three- year period, except that those records pertaining to any audit then in progress, or to any claims or litigation, shall be retained beyond said three-year period until final resolution of said audit, claim or litigation.
J. Notices: Termination notices shall be effective when written and deposited in the United States mail, certified, return receipt requested and addressed as below. All other notices authorized or required by this Contract shall be effective when written and deposited in the United States mail, first class postage prepaid and addressed as follows:
CITY: ATTN: CITY MANAGER
CITY OF ALISO VIEJO
12 JOURNEY, SUITE 100
ALISO VIEJO, CA 92629
COUNTY: ATTN: LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTRACT MANAGER
SHERIFF-CORONER DEPARTMENT
320 NORTH FLOWER STREET, SUITE 108
SANTA ANA, CA 92703
-Signature Page to Follow-
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Contract on the dates opposite their respective signatures:
City: Aliso Viejo
By: Title: Mayor
Print Name: Date:
Attest:
City Clerk
Approved as to Form
By: ____________________
City Attorney
County:
By: Title: Chair of the Board of Supervisors
Print Name: Date:
Signed and certified that a copy of this Contract has been delivered to the Chair of the Board Per Government Code section 25103; Resolution 79-1535.
Attest:
Robin Stieler
Clerk of the Board
County of Orange, California
Approved as to Form
Office of the County Counsel
Orange County, California
By: ____________________
Deputy
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ATTACHMENT A
SCOPE OF WORK
A. Regular Services By County:
1. Sheriff shall render to City law enforcement services as hereinafter provided. Such services shall include the enforcement of lawful State statutes and lawful municipal ordinances of City, other than licensing ordinances.
2. The night, day and evening patrol and supervisory shifts will be established by Sheriff. Personnel of each shift may work varying and different times and may be deployed to other shifts when, in the opinion of Sheriff and City Manager, the need arises. Any long-term shift deployment change will be reported to the City Council.
3. The level of service, other than for licensing, to be provided by the County for this Contract is set forth in Attachment C.
4. The Sheriff will provide a slate of candidates who are eligible for the rank of Captain with the Sheriff from which the City Manager may select a Police Services Chief. The Police Services Chief will be the on-side department head for the city and will attend City Council, staff and community meetings at the discretion of the City Manager.
5. Patrol Performance Goals shall be as follows:
Response to Priority One Calls: 5 minutes
Response to Priority Two Calls: 12 minutes
Response to Priority Three Calls: 20 minutes
The Police Services Chief will report to the City Manager regarding City Police Services in meeting these goals. In the event of a major incident outside the boundaries of City, adequate law enforcement personnel will remain in City to respond to Priority One and Priority Two calls for service.
6. For any service that is provided to City at less than 100% of a full-time Sheriff position, County retains the option to terminate such service in the event the other City or cities that contract(s) for the balance of the time of the employee providing the service no longer pay(s) for such service and City does not request the Contract be amended to pay 100% of the cost of the employee providing such service. The Maximum Obligation of City will be adjusted accordingly.
7. All services contracted for in this Contract may not be operational on the precise date specified in this Contract. In those instances, Sheriff shall notify City Manager of the date or dates such service or services are to be implemented. If the City pays for a service before its implementation, the County shall provide a credit, based on the
8. During emergencies, such as mutual aid situations, Sheriff will attempt to leave in City the Captain in charge of City Police Services. If Sheriff determines that the Captain is needed elsewhere, Sheriff will notify Manager within four hours. Sheriff will return the Captain to City as soon as possible once the emergency situation is under control.
9. complete investigations relating to such applications. Said investigations shall be forwarded to City Manager who is responsible for the disposition of the application and notification to the applicant. County shall not provide any advisory, administrative, hearing or litigation attorney support or services related to licensing. County shall not provide any administrative or investigatory services related to the licensing ordinances, except the investigations relating to initial applications for which this subsection provides.
10. With the limitations set forth below, Sheriff, on behalf of County, is authorized to execute written amendments to this Contract to increase or decrease the level of service, when Sheriff and City mutually agree that such increase or decrease in the level of service is appropriate. Any such amendment to the Contract shall concomitantly increase or decrease the cost of services payable by City. Sheriff and appropriate City personnel shall Clerk. Except for costs related to Employee Bargaining has defined herein, changes to this Contract executed by 189
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Sheriff and City Manager may not, in the aggregate, increase or decrease the cost of services payable by City by more than one percent (1%) of the Maximum Obligation.
B. Enhanced And Supplemental Services By County:
1. Enhanced services for events on City property. At the request of City, through its City Manager, Sheriff may provide enhanced law enforcement services for functions, such as community events, conducted on property that is owned, leased or operated by City. Sheriff shall determine personnel and equipment needed for such enhanced services. City shall reimburse County for such additional services, at an amount computed by Sheriff, based on the The cost of these enhanced services shall be in addition to the Maximum Obligation of City. Sheriff shall bill City immediately after each such event.
2. Supplemental services for occasional events operated by private individuals and entities on non-City property. At the request of City, through its City Manager, Sheriff may provide supplemental law enforcement services to preserve the peace at special events or occurrences that occur on an occasional basis and are operated by private individuals or private entities on non-City property. Sheriff shall determine personnel and equipment needed for such supplemental services, and will provide such supplemental services only if Sheriff is able to do so without reducing the normal and regular ongoing services that Sheriff otherwise would provide to City pursuant to this Contract. Such supplemental services shall be provided only by regularly appointed full-time peace officers, at rates of pay governed by a Memorandum of Understanding between County and the bargaining unit(s) representing the peace officers providing the services. Such supplemental services shall include only law enforcement duties and shall not include services authorized to be provided by a private patrol operator, as defined in Section 7582.1 of the Business and Professions Code. Law enforcement support functions, including, but not limited to, clerical functions and forensic science services, may be performed by non-peace officer personnel if the services do not involve patrol or keeping the peace and are incidental to the provision of law enforcement services. City shall reimburse County its full, actual costs of providing such supplemental services at an amount computed by Sheriff, based on the current The cost of these supplemental services shall be in addition to the Maximum Obligation of City. Sheriff shall bill City immediately after each such event.
3. Supplemental services for events operated by public entities on non-City property. At the request of City, through its City Manager, Sheriff may provide supplemental law enforcement services to preserve the peace at special events or occurrences that occur on an occasional basis and are operated by public entities on non-City property.
Sheriff shall determine personnel and equipment needed for such supplemental services, and will provide such supplemental services only if Sheriff is able to do so without reducing services that Sheriff otherwise would provide to City pursuant to this Contract. City shall reimburse County its full, actual costs of providing such supplemental services at an amount computed by Sheriff, based on the current year's County law enforcement cost study. The cost of these supplemental services shall be in addition to the Maximum Obligation of City. Sheriff shall bill City immediately after each such event.
4. Notwithstanding the foregoing, City, through its permit process, may utilize the services of Sheriff at events, for which City issues permits, that are operated by private individuals or entities or public entities. Sheriff shall determine personnel and equipment needed for said events. If said events are in addition to the level of services listed in this Contract, City shall reimburse County for such additional services at an amount computed by Sheriff, based The cost of these services shall be in addition to the
Maximum Obligation of City. Sheriff shall bill City immediately after said services are rendered.
5. In accordance with Government Code Section 51350, County has adopted Board Resolution 89-1160 which identifies Countywide services, including but not limited to helicopter response. Sheriff through this contract provides enhanced helicopter response services. The cost of enhanced helicopter response services is included in the Maximum Obligation of City. County shall not charge any additional amounts for enhanced helicopter services without written notification to the City.
C. Body Worn Camera And In Car Video:
1. As part of the law enforcement services to be provided to City, County has provided, or will provide, body
2. Sheriff has the exclusive right to use said BWC and ICV for law enforcement services related to this Contract. 190
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3. City shall pay County the full costs to County of a) the acquisition of BWC and the acquisition and installation of ICV, and b) recurring costs, as deemed necessary by County, including the costs of maintenance and contributions to a fund for replacement and upgrade of such BWC and ICV when they become functionally or technologically obsolete. The costs to be paid by City for recurring costs, including maintenance and replacement/upgrade of BWC and ICV, are included in the costs set forth in the Maximum Obligation of City, unless City has already paid such costs.
4. If, following the initial acquisition of BWC and ICV referenced above, City requires BWC and ICV for additional BWC and ICV. Upon demand by County, City will pay to County a) the full costs of acquisition of additional BWC and the full cost of acquisition and installation of additional ICV, and b) the full recurring costs for said BWC and ICV, as deemed necessary by County, including the costs of maintenance, and contributions to a fund for replacement and upgrade of such BWC and ICV when they become functionally or technologically obsolete. Said costs related to additional BWC and ICV are not included in, and are in addition to, the costs set forth in the Maximum Obligation.
5. County will replace and/or upgrade BWC and ICV as needed. The costs of replacing/upgrading BWC and ICV shall be paid by County from the replacement/upgrade funds to be paid by City in accordance with the foregoing.
City shall not be charged any additional charge to replace or upgrade BWC and ICV.
D. Traffic Violator Apprehension Program:
1. Sheriff, and is designed to reduce vehicle accidents caused by unlicensed drivers and drivers whose licenses are suspended and to educate the public about the requirements of the Vehicle Code and related safety issues with regard to driver licensing, vehicle registration, vehicle operation, and vehicle parking. The Program operates throughout the unincorporated areas of the County and in the cities that contract with County for law enforcement services, without regard to jurisdictional boundaries, because an area-wide approach to reduction of traffic accidents and driver education is most effective in preventing traffic accidents. In order for City to participate in the Program, City has adopted fees pursuant to Vehicle Code Section 22850.5, in the same amount as approved by County, as set forth in the resolution that is Attachment E (hereinafter called a has directed that the revenue from such fee be used for the Program. participation in the Program may be terminated at any time by rescission or amendment of its TVAP resolution. In the event City 1) amends said TVAP resolution, or rescinds said TVAP resolution and adopts a new TVAP resolution pertaining to the above-referenced fees and the Program, and 2) remains Attachment E to the Contract, as long as said amendment to this Contract does not materially change any other provision of this Contract. As County updates its fees for the Program periodically, County will provide written notice to City of the updated fees. participation in the Program will terminate if City determines not to adopt the updated fees for the Program.
2. County will make available for review, at the request of City, all financial data related to the Program as may be requested by City.
3. Fee revenue generated by County and participating cities will be used to fund the following positions, which will be assigned to the Program:
Ten one hundredths of one (0.10) Sergeant
(8 hours per two-week pay period)
One (1) Staff Specialist
(80 hours per two-week pay period)
One (1) Office Specialist
(80 hours per two-week pay period)
4. Fee revenue generated by City may be used to reimburse City for expenditures for equipment and/or supplies directly in support of the Program. In order for an expenditure for equipment and/or supplies to be eligible for 191
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reimbursement, City shall submit a request for and obtain pre-approval of the expenditure by using the form as shown in Attachment F.
The request shall be submitted within the budget schedule established by Sheriff. Sheriff shall approve the expenditure only if both of the following conditions are satisfied: 1) there are sufficient Program funds, attributable supplies, during their entire useful life, only for purposes authorized by its TVAP resolution in effect at the time of purchase.
In the event that City terminates its participation in the Program, City agrees that the equipment purchased by City and reimbursed by Program funds will continue to be used, during the remainder of its useful life, exclusively for the
5. In the event the fees adopted by County, City and other participating jurisdictions are not adequate to continue operation of the Program at the level at which it operated previously, County, at the option of City, will reduce the level of Program service to be provided to City or will continue to provide the existing level of Program services.
County will charge City the cost of any Program operations that exceed the revenue generated by fees. Such charges shall be in addition to the Maximum Obligation of City. The amount of any revenue shortfall charged to City will be determined, at the time the revenue shortfall is experienced, according share of Program services rendered.
In the event of a reduction in level of Program service, termination of Program service or adjustment of costs, the parties shall execute an amendment to this Contract so providing. Decisions about how to reduce the level of Program service provided to City shall be made by Sheriff with the approval of City.
E. Mobile Data Computers:
1. As part of the law enforcement services to be provided to City, County has provided, or will provide, mobile designated by County for use within City limits.
2. Sheriff has the exclusive right to use said MDCs for law enforcement services related to this Contract.
3. City shall pay County the full costs to County of a) the acquisition and installation of MDCs that are or will be mounted in patrol vehicles and motorcycles assigned to City, and b) recurring costs, as deemed necessary by County, including the costs of maintenance and contributions to a fund for replacement and upgrade of such MDCs when they become functionally or technologically obsolete.
The costs to be paid by City for recurring costs, including maintenance and replacement/upgrade of MDCs, are included in the costs set forth in the Maximum Obligation of City unless City has already paid such costs.
4. If, following the initial acquisition of MDCs referenced above, City requires MDCs for additional patrol cars additional MDCs. Upon demand by County, City will pay to County a) the full costs of acquisition and installation of said additional MDCs, and b) the full recurring costs for said MDCs, as deemed necessary by County, including the costs of maintenance, and contributions to a fund for replacement and upgrade of such MDCs when they become functionally or technologically obsolete. Said costs related to additional MDCs are not included in, and are in addition to, the costs set forth in the Maximum Obligation of City.
5. County will replace and/or upgrade MDCs as needed. The costs of replacing/upgrading MDCs shall be paid by County from the replacement/upgrade funds to be paid by City in accordance with the foregoing. City shall not be charged any additional charge to replace or upgrade MDCs.
F. E-Citation Units:
1. As part of the law enforcement services to be provided to City, County has provided, or will provide, E- Citation units designated by County for use within City limits.
2. Sheriff has the exclusive right to use said E-Citation units for law enforcement services related to this Contract.
3. City shall pay County the full costs to County of a) the acquisition of E-Citation units that are assigned to City, and b) recurring costs, as deemed necessary by County, including the costs of maintenance and contributions to a fund for replacement and upgrade of such E-Citation units when they become functionally or technologically obsolete.
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The costs to be paid by City for recurring costs, including maintenance and replacement/upgrade of E-Citation units, are included in the costs set forth in the Maximum Obligation of City unless City has already paid such costs.
4. If, following the initial acquisition of E-Citation units referenced above, City requires additional E-Citation units designated for use in City, County will purchase said additional E-Citation units. Upon demand by County, City will pay to County a) the full costs of acquisition of said additional E-Citation units, and b) the full recurring costs for said E-Citation units, as deemed necessary by County, including the costs of maintenance, and contributions to a fund for replacement and upgrade of such E-Citation units when they become functionally or technologically obsolete. Said costs related to additional E-Citation units are not included in, and are in addition to, the costs set forth in the Maximum Obligation of City.
5. County will replace and/or upgrade E-Citation units as needed. The costs of replacing/upgrading E-Citation units shall be paid by County from the replacement/upgrade funds to be paid by City in accordance with the foregoing.
City shall not be charged any additional charge to replace or upgrade E-Citation units.
G. Equipment:
1. As part of the law enforcement services to be provided to City, County shall purchase motorcycles and radios
2. City shall pay County the full costs to County of a) the acquisition of Equipment, b) recurring costs, c) the costs of maintenance, and d) replacement and upgrade of such Equipment when they become functionally or technologically obsolete, as deemed necessary by County. The costs to be paid by City are included in the costs set forth in the Maximum Obligation of City.
3. The Equipment purchased by the County for services to the City shall be the property of the County.
4. Radios and motorcycles previously purchased by the City for County law enforcement services to the City shall be the property of and maintained by the City. Notwithstanding the Indemnification provisions of this Contract, omission.
H. City Office Space
1. In consideration of the promises contained herein, City hereby grants to County rent-free use of office space, office furniture, and office equipment and supplies located in City Hall or other City building for the provision of shall be used solely by personnel of City and County, while performing their assigned duties related to services under this Contract. City and County shall mutually agree on the precise location, size and type of said office space, office furniture and office equipment supplies. City shall supply all repair, maintenance and janitorial supplies and services to the Police Station and shall be responsible for all charges for utilities supplied to said premises.
2. City and Sheriff agree to staff the Police Station and remain accessible to the public during normal business hours. Sheriff personnel who are regularly deployed to deliver services to adjacent unincorporated areas may operate in and out of the Police Station as a regular duty station.
3. City shall be responsible for the cost of fuel used for services in this Contract. City may: 1) provide fuel via Parties. For motorcycles, the City shall pay the County for the provision of fuel in a manner that is acceptable to both Parties. For all other vehicles, City and County shall mutually agree on which method shall be utilized. Limited reimbursement of such costs is included in the costs set forth in Attachment B.
4. Persons detained in City will be booked into the Sheriff Intake-Release Center. Persons will not be booked or housed at the Police Station.
5. Fingerprinting and copying services will be performed by Sheriff employees located at the Police Station. 193
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ATTACHMENT B
PAYMENT PROVISIONS
1. Compensation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 51350, City agrees to pay to County the full costs of performing the services mutually agreed upon in this Contract. The costs of services include salaries, wages, benefits, mileage, services, supplies, equipment, and divisional, departmental and County General overhead.
The Maximum Obligation of City for services to be provided by the County for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 shall be $1 (herein The County shall provide the City with a new Maximum Obligation prior to the start of the new fiscal year term for the remaining fiscal years included in this Contract Term, if applicable.
The overtime costs included in the Contract are only an estimate. Sheriff shall notify City of actual overtime worked during each fiscal year. If actual overtime worked is above or below budgeted amounts, billings will be adjusted accordingly at the end of the fiscal year. Actual overtime costs may exceed Maximum Obligation.
2. Personnel and Deployment:
A. City shall pay the full costs of employees in the following instances:
1. County-paid holidays.
2. Sick leave to the extent that it does not exceed the greater of a.) 12 days per year, per position, or b.) the amount of leave accrued by an employee assigned to City during the time he or she has been assigned to City.
3. Vacation leave to the extent it does not exceed an amount permitted by County to be accumulated by an employee at any one time.
4. Training as mandated by the California Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) or as mandated by Sheriff.
5. Bereavement leave as authorized by County.
6. Jury duty leave as authorized by County.
7. Responses to mutual aid and natural or man-made disasters or emergencies, unless the County provides a replacement employee, in which case the City will pay for one employee.
B.
Department shall be considered vacant. The County will provide a credit to the City for the hours a position is vacant. The credit may be offset with overtime and reconciled at fiscal year-end.
C. The Sheriff shall not charge the City when an employee, usually assigned to the City, participates in specialized Sheriff services that are available throughout the County, including in City, in accordance with County Resolution No. 89-1160. If the Sheriff determines that overtime coverage of the City.
Notwithstanding the above, in the event that County personnel provide services in response to mutual aid and natural or man-made disasters or emergencies and the County subsequently receives reimbursement for those services, the County will credit the reimbursement to the City.
3. Invoice: County shall invoice City monthly and will require payment by City of one-twelfth (1/12) of the Maximum Obligation of City. If a determination is made that increases due to Employee Bargaining must be paid, County thereafter shall include the pro-rata charges for such increases in its monthly invoices to City for the balance.
4. Employee Bargaining: At the time this Contract is executed, there may be unresolved issues pertaining to potential changes in salaries and benefits for County employees. If changes result in the County incurring or becoming obligated to pay for increased costs for or on account of personnel whose costs are included in the calculations of costs charged to City hereunder, City shall pay County, the full costs of said increases to the extent 194
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such increases are attributable to work performed by such personnel after the starting date of this Contract. City shall pay County in full for such increases on a pro-rata basis over the portion of the Contract term remaining after County notifies City that increases are payable.
If City is required to pay for such increases, County, at the request of City, will thereafter reduce the level of service provided to City to a level that will make the Maximum Obligation of City an amount specified by City.
The purpose of such adjustment of service levels will be to give City the option of keeping its Maximum Obligation hereunder at the pre-increase level or at any other higher or lower level specified by City. In the event of such reduction in level of service and adjustment of costs, the parties shall execute an amendment to this Contract. Decisions about how to reduce the level of service provided to City shall be made by Sheriff with the approval of City.
5. Billing Policy:
Billing Policy dated October 27, 1992. The provisions of the policy, including a discount for early payment, shall apply to this Contract. Payments made electronically via a credit card or through a banking system that charges Merchant Fees, Service Fees, or any other Fees shall be the responsibility of the City. If the County is charged any of the before mentioned fees, the City shall be responsible for payment of these fees to the County.
6. Late Penalties: County shall charge City late payment penalties in accordance with County Billing Policy.
7. Licensing Payments: As payment for the Licensing Services described in this Contract, County shall retain all fees paid by applicants for licenses pursuant to City ordinances. Retention of said fees by County shall constitute payment in full to County for costs incurred by County in performing the functions related to licensing; provided, however, that if any of said fees are waived or reduced by City, City shall pay to County the difference time this Contract was executed. If City increases the fee schedule for the licensing ordinances, either party shall have the right to seek amendment of this Contract with respect to the division of the increased fees between City and County.
8. Fees: Fees generated or collected by Sheriff contract personnel for response to false alarms or copying of documents related to the services provided in this Contract will be at County-established rates and will be credited to City on an annual basis. Narcotic asset forfeitures will be handled pursuant to Attachment G.
Revenue generated by City fees, including but not limited to the following, will be at rates established by City and will be retained by City:
a. Bicycle licensing
b. Fingerprinting
c. Visa letters
d. Report duplication
e. DUI cost recovery
f. Special police services
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ATTACHMENT C
Title Detail Quantity
Cost of Service
(each)
Cost of Service
Total
MANAGEMENT:
Captain 1.00 525,623$ 525,623$
SUPERVISION:
Sergeant Administrative 1.00 425,954$ 425,954$
Sergeant Patrol 1.00 425,954$ 425,954$
Sergeant (shared) Patrol 0.33 425,954$ 140,565$
INVESTIGATION SERVICES:
Investigator 1.00 406,636$ 406,636$
Investigator (shared) 0.50 406,636$ 203,318$
PATROL AND TRAFFIC SERVICES:
Deputy Sheriff II -Patrol Patrol 15.00 343,569$ 5,153,535$ Deputy Sheriff II -Motor Traffic 2.00 353,921$ 707,842$ ADDITIONAL SERVICES:
Community Services Officer Parking Control 2.00 180,398$ 360,796$ Deputy Sheriff II - Motor (shared) School Resource Officer 0.65 359,495$ 233,672$ Senior Emerg. Mgmt. Prog. Coord. 1.00 205,918$ 205,918$ TOTAL POSITIONS 25.48 8,789,813$
REGIONAL / SHARED STAFF:
Title Regional Team Quantity % Allocation Cost $
TRAFFIC:
Sergeant Traffic 0.60 5.34% 14,381$
Investigator Traffic 1.00 5.34% 19,210$
Deputy Sheriff II Traffic 3.00 5.34% 65,050$
Investigative Assistant Traffic 2.00 5.34% 20,395$
AUTO THEFT:
Sergeant Auto Theft 0.30 5.81% 7,786$
Investigator Auto Theft 2.00 5.81% 48,625$
Investigative Assistant Auto Theft 1.00 5.81% 11,170$
Office Specialist Auto Theft 1.00 5.81% 8,322$
DET:
Sergeant DET 1.00 13.17% 69,217$
Investigator DET 1.00 13.17% 59,873$
COURTS:
Investigative Assistant Courts 2.00 8.68% 31,042$
MOTORCYCLE (shared Supervision):
Sergeant Motorcycle Supervision 1.00 10.53% 48,543$
TOTAL REGIONAL/SHARED 15.90 403,614$
OTHER CHARGES AND CREDITS:
OTHER CHARGES:
CREDITS:
TOTAL OTHER CHARGES AND CREDITS 2,357,375$
TOTAL COST OF SERVICES 11,550,802$
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER
CITY OF ALISO VIEJO
FY 2026-27
LEVEL OF SERVICE
Credits include: AB109 (2011 Public Safety Realignment); estimated vacancy credits; false alarm fees; reimbursement for training and miscellaneous programs; reimbursement for restitution.
Other Charges include: Annual leave paydowns and apportionment of cost of leave balances paid at end of employment; Body Worn Camera (BWC) and In Car Video (ICV); contract administration; data line charges; enhanced helicopter response services; E-Citation recurring costs for three (3) units; facility lease; holiday pay; Integrated Law & Justice of Orange County fees; Mobile Data Computer (MDC) recurring cost for nineteen and eighty-three hundredths (19.83) units; overtime; patrol training cost allocation; premium pay for biligual staff, education incentive pay and on-call; services and supplies; and transportation charges. Purchase of One (1) motorcycle and One (1) CSO Vehicle F150
LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTRACT
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
OCSD
BUDGET
USE ONLY
R E Q U E S TC E R T I F I C AT I O NA P P R O V A L S
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER
TRAFFIC VIOLATOR APPREHENSION PROGRAM
CONTRACT CITY
Participating City Request to Purchase From the TVA in FY Date
APPLICABILTY
QUANTITY ITEM DESCRIPTION TO TVA PROGRAM ESTIMATED COST
THE CITY CERTIFIES THAT THE EQUIPMENT PURCHASED BY CITY AND TO BE REIMBURSED BY PROGRAM FUNDS
WILL BE USED FOR ITS ENTIRE USEFUL LIFE EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE TRAFFIC VIOLATOR
APPREHENSION PROGRAM
CITY MANAGER REQUEST:
Printed Name
Signature: DATE
Recommended For Approval
CITY POLICE SERVICES CHIEF MANAGER TVA PROGRAM
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER DEPARTMENT
206
5/7/2020 Rev.
ATTACHMENT
POLICY FOR DISTRIBUTION OF FORFEITED AND SEIZED ASSETS
BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department provides contract law enforcement services to cities in Orange County. Because of the increased likelihood that contracted patrol or investigation personnel may become involved in significant narcotic seizures, which could affect law enforcement services provided by the Sheriff’s Department to contract cities, the following policy is in effect.
CONTRACTED PATROL AND INVESTIGATION OFFICERS
When assets (cash or property) are seized in CITY by contracted patrol or investigation personnel, and subsequently forfeited to COUNTY’s Sheriff Department, hereinafter referred to as “SHERIFF”, the forfeited assets shall be shared with CITY as set forth below, for the purpose of augmenting law enforcement services in CITY, subject to guidelines by the forfeiting agency of such sharing and use of forfeited assets. A portion of forfeited assets may be retained by SHERIFF, to pay for departmental expenses not recovered through law enforcement contracts.
In such cases, pursuant to the forfeiting agency’s guidelines, SHERIFF shall apply to the forfeiting agency for the return of a share of assets. In his application, SHERIFF shall specify the percentage of shared assets returned to SHERIFF that will be used to augment law enforcement services in CITY and the use of said assets by CITY.
In those cases in which assets are seized within CITY by personnel assigned to CITY pursuant to this Agreement, without the involvement of other law enforcement personnel, and in which the seizure is a result solely of activities self-initiated by SHERIFF personnel assigned to CITY or initiated by said personnel in response to calls for service within CITY, SHERIFF shall apply to have all of the assets used to augment CITY law enforcement services.
In those cases in which SHERIFF personnel assigned to CITY pursuant to this Agreement play an ancillary role in a seizure or in which other law enforcement personnel are involved in a seizure, SHERIFF shall determine the percentage of the total forfeited assets for which he will apply to augment CITY’s law enforcement services. This determination will be based on the circumstances of the seizure, including the pro-rata involvement of all personnel, including those assigned to CITY.
Each seizure will be evaluated on an individual and independent basis, and said evaluations will be available for review to CITY’s manager. Examples of those incidents which would be evaluated as set forth in this section include situations in which a contract patrol deputy provides uniformed backup at a SHERIFF’s Narcotic Bureau search warrant location or in which contract investigators participate in the service of a search warrant that was initiated by non-contract law enforcement personnel.
Assets (cash or property) that are returned to SHERIFF by the forfeiting agency with the understanding that they will be used to augment CITY law enforcement services shall be used by CITY and SHERIFF only for such purposes. If the forfeiting agency attaches additional or more specific conditions to the use of said assets, CITY and SHERIFF shall also abide by those conditions. SHERIFF and CITY’s manager shall determine the specific use of said assets within the conditions imposed by the forfeiting agency.
Add:
Four (4) Sergeants with LH, LW ( 1/3 AV, 1/3 LH, 1/3 LW) One (1) Deputy Sheriff II - School Resources Officer (SRO) with LN (0.35) One (1) Investigator Position with LW (0.50)
DIRECT PURCHASE SERVICES & COUNTY
NO POSITIONS SALARY OVERTIME POST PAY BENEFITS SUPPLIES TRANSP. DEPT. OH DIV. OH TRAINING OH OTHER REVENUE TOTAL 1 Captain 241,997 0 12,511 211,282 9,481 0 11,609 30,604 4,907 3,232 0 0 525,623 1 Sergeant - Administrative 181,823 0 23,061 158,589 9,481 0 11,609 33,882 4,907 2,602 0 0 425,954
1.33 Sergeant - Patrol (Share with LW) 241,825 0 30,671 210,923 12,610 0 15,440 45,063 6,526 3,461 0 0 566,519
1.5 Investigator (Share w/LW) 238,409 0 21,456 207,058 14,222 0 17,414 100,734 7,361 3,300 0 0 609,954 15 DS II Patrol 2,173,920 0 139,965 1,885,035 142,215 0 174,135 535,275 73,605 29,385 0 0 5,153,535
0.65 DS II SRO/Motor (Share with LN) 100,803 0 6,065 85,353 6,163 0 7,546 23,195 3,190 1,357 0 0 233,672 2 DS II Motorcycle 303,056 0 18,662 258,674 18,962 0 23,218 71,370 9,814 4,086 0 0 707,842
22.48 Subtotal Safety $3,481,833 $0 $252,391 $3,016,914 $213,134 $0 $260,971 $840,123 $110,310 $47,423 $0 $0 $8,223,099 2 Community Services Officer 146,368 0 0 102,626 18,962 0 23,218 67,764 0 1,858 0 0 360,796 1 Sr. Emergency Mgt. Prog. Coord. (full position) 115,571 0 0 64,758 9,481 0 11,609 3,031 0 1,468 0 0 205,918
3.00 Subtotal Professional $261,939 $0 $0 $167,384 $28,443 $0 $34,827 $70,795 $0 $3,326 $0 $0 $566,714
25.48 TOTAL STAFF $3,743,772 $0 $252,391 $3,184,298 $241,577 $0 $295,798 $910,918 $110,310 $50,749 $0 $0 $8,789,813
REGIONAL / SHARED STAFF
0.6 Traffic - Sergeant 5.34% 6,081 280 739 5,160 317 551 372 636 157 88 0 0 14,381 1 Traffic - Investigator 5.34% 8,488 0 764 7,372 528 0 620 1,061 262 115 0 0 19,210 3 Traffic - Deputy Sheriff II 5.34% 25,491 5,217 1,495 21,207 1,585 3,828 1,860 3,182 786 399 0 0 65,050 2 Traffic - Investigative Assistant 5.34% 8,744 149 0 7,018 1,040 0 1,240 2,094 0 110 0 0 20,395
0.3 Auto Theft - Sergeant 5.81% 3,306 152 402 2,805 168 299 202 319 85 48 0 0 7,786 2 Auto Theft - Investigator 5.81% 19,335 2,121 1,661 16,418 1,119 3,640 1,348 2,126 570 287 0 0 48,625 1 Auto Theft - Investigative Assistant 5.81% 4,621 383 0 3,832 550 0 674 1,048 0 62 0 0 11,170 1 Auto Theft - Office Specialist 5.81% 3,720 4 0 2,470 550 0 674 858 0 46 0 0 8,322 1 DET Sergeant 13.17% 25,564 7,498 3,037 21,832 1,036 0 1,529 7,624 646 451 0 0 69,217 1 DET Investigator 13.17% 22,288 5,621 1,884 18,873 1,036 0 1,529 7,624 646 372 0 0 59,873 2 Courts - Investigative Assistant 8.68% 14,028 631 0 11,445 1,646 0 2,015 1,095 0 182 0 0 31,042 1 Motorcycle Sergeant + MDC 10.53% 20,405 0 2,427 17,473 1,376 1,933 1,222 2,090 517 293 807 0 48,543
15.90 Subtotal $162,071 $22,056 $12,409 $135,905 $10,951 $10,251 $13,285 $29,757 $3,669 $2,453 $807 $0 $403,614
INDIRECT COSTS
FINAL Share:
April 23, 2026
SALARIES & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
CITY OF ALISO VIEJO One (1) Motorcycle
One (1) CSO's Vehicle F150
FISCAL YEAR 2026-27
Aliso Viejo FY 2026-27 Spreadsheets/FINAL FY 26-27 Page 1 of 2 208
Add:
Four (4) Sergeants with LH, LW ( 1/3 AV, 1/3 LH, 1/3 LW) One (1) Deputy Sheriff II - School Resources Officer (SRO) with LN (0.35) One (1) Investigator Position with LW (0.50)
INDIRECT COSTS
FINAL Share:
April 23, 2026
SALARIES & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
CITY OF ALISO VIEJO One (1) Motorcycle
One (1) CSO's Vehicle F150
FISCAL YEAR 2026-27
ADDITIONAL SERVICES & COUNTY
NO COSTS/REVENUE SALARY OVERTIME POST PAY BENEFITS SUPPLIES TRANSP. DEPT. OH DIV. OH TRAINING OH OTHER REVENUE TOTAL Overtime 1,088,099 73,898 13,819 1,175,816
Estimate: Vacancy Credit (200,000) (200,000)
Annual Leave (Pay Downs & Termination Pay) 84,303 84,303 AB109 (2011 Public Safety Realignment) (5,814) (5,814)
Body Worn Cameras (BWC) and In Car Video (ICV) Costs 159,089 159,089 Contract Administration 34,470 34,470
1 CSO Vehicle (F150) 70,900 70,900
Data Line 2,026 2,026
E - Citation 0
3 E - Citation Recurring Costs 7,927 7,927
Enhanced Helicopter Response Services 38,867 38,867
Facility Lease 85,006 85,006
Holiday Pay: Comp & Straight Time 134,865 134,865
Integrated Law & Justice Agency of Orange County 3,570 3,570 Mobile Data Computers (MDC) - Acquisition 0
19.83 Mobile Data Computers (MDC) - Recurring/Replacement Costs 83,589 83,589 1 Motorcycle Cost 41,321 41,321
Patrol Training Cost Allocation (FTB) 183,799 183,799
Premium Pay 125,720 125,720
Retirement Rate Discount (Expenses for Interest and Issuance) 0 Retirement Rate Discount, (Gross) 0
Revenue/False Alarms (14,894) (14,894)
Revenue/Training Reimbursement 0
Revenue/Restitution Reimbursement 0
Services & Supplies 71,677 71,677
Transportation - Vehicle Fuel, Maintenance, Mileage Interest etc. 275,138 275,138 Subtotal $0 $1,088,099 $0 $73,898 $158,709 $314,005 $0 $0 $183,799 $13,819 $545,754 ($20,708) $2,357,375 FY 2026-27- FINAL CONTRACT TOTAL $3,905,843 $1,110,155 $264,800 $3,394,101 $411,237 $324,256 $309,083 $940,675 $297,778 $67,021 $546,561 ($20,708) $11,550,802 FY 2025-26 - FINAL CONTRACT TOTAL $3,897,513 $1,107,708 $262,650 $3,531,275 $372,156 $329,976 $281,855 $933,230 $263,031 $66,374 $464,226 ($26,044) $11,483,950
0.21% 0.22% 0.82% -3.88% 10.50% -1.73% 9.66% 0.80% 13.21% 0.97% 17.74% -20.49% 0.58% $8,330 $2,447 $2,150 ($137,174) $39,081 ($5,720) $27,228 $7,445 $34,747 $647 $82,335 $5,336 $66,852 Aliso Viejo FY 2026-27 Spreadsheets/FINAL FY 26-27 Page 2 of 2 209
City of Aliso Viejo
AGENDA ITEM
DATE: June 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Cora Swanson, Human Resources Manager
SUBJECT: REPORT ON STAFF VACANCIES, RECRUITMENT, AND
RETENTION EFFORTS
Recommendation:
1. Conduct the public hearing; and
2. Receive and file the report on staff vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts.
Fiscal Impact:
None.
Background:
Assembly Bill 2561 (Government Code Section 3502.3) became effective January 1, 2025. It requires public agencies to hold a public hearing to present the status of vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts prior to adoption of the annual budget.
During the hearing, the agency must also identify any necessary changes to policies, procedures, and recruitment activities.
Discussion:
The City of Aliso Viejo has 29 full -time positions authorized in the budget. There is currently one vacancy, representing approximately 3 % percent of the City’s authorized full-time staffing. The current vacancy is a full -time Recreation Specialist position within the Recreation & Community Services Department.
In addition to full-time staffing, the City has one part-time Office Assistant, one part-time Recreation Specialist and approximately 10 to 20 part -time Recreation Leaders and Senior Recreation L eaders at any given time. The number of Recreation Leader and Senior Recreation Leader positions is not specified in the budget and fluctuates based on the City’s operational needs. Staffing levels are increased during the summer months when additional recreational programs and camps are offered. 210
During the reporting period for fiscal year 2025/2026, four positions were recruited for and filled.
Recruitment is conducted online through the City’s website and social media channels, using GovernmentJobs.com for all positions. Position openings may also be submitted to professional organizations and industry -specific job boards, when deemed appropriate.
Retention efforts include maintaining competitive salary and benefits packages, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits. The City also hosts quarterly all -staff meetings that include team -building activities and employee engagement opportunities intended to support a positive working environment. Staff training and professional development op portunities continue to be encouraged and supported throughout the year.
The City does not anticipate the need to modify existing policies, procedures, or recruitment practices to address future vacancies. Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council hold the public hearing and receive and file the report on staff vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts.
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City of Aliso Viejo
AGENDA ITEM
DATE: June 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: So Kim, Community Development Department
Rose Rivera, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: ZONING CODE AMENDMENT ZA-2026-01004: OBJECTIVE DESIGN
STANDARDS FOR QUALIFYING RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
Recommended Actions:
1. Find that Zoning Code Amendment ZA-2026-02004 is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines; and
2. Introduce for first reading of an Ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE ALISO
VIEJO MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
FOR QUALIFYING HOUSING PROJECTS AND DETERMINING THE ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the proposed action. Funding for preparation of the Objective Design Standards was provided by the Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) through the REAP 2.0 grant program, which funded consultant services provided by PlaceWorks.
Background:
Senate Bill 35 (SB 35), originally enacted in 2017 and expanded in recent years, is a state law that requires cities and counties to approve qualifying housing developments through a streamlined, ministerial review process. This process eliminates discretionary review and public hearings for eligible projects that meet specified criteria, including affordability requirements and compliance with objective zoning standards.
Accordingly, the City’s Housing Element includes a series of housing programs to implement its goals and policies. Among these is Program No. 9, Streamlined Residential Permit Processing, which requires the City to establish objective development standards 212
to facilitate the streamlined approval of housing projects consistent with SB 35 requirements.
The City currently applies design standards set forth in Section 15.62 of the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code (AVMC). However, many of these standards are subjective in nature and therefore cannot be applied to SB 35 projects. State law limits review of qualifying projects to objective standards only , which are measurable, clearly defined, and not reliant on personal interpretation or discretionary judgment by the reviewing authority.
In November 2025, the City received REAP 2.0 grant funding from the Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) and retained PlaceWorks, a planning and design consulting firm, to prepare objective desig n standards. As part of this effort, the City conducted outreach to the development community, including a virtual Developer Roundtable on May 14, 2026, with local housing developers who have active projects in the City. Feedback from the roundtable was considered in the preparation of the Objective Design Standards Manual (ODS). Although the City has not yet received an SB 35 application, adopting these standards implements Housing Element Program No. 9 and ensures the City is prepared to review qualifying projects in compliance with State law.
Discussion:
The proposed Zoning Code Amendment establishes objective design standards to provide clear, measurable requirements for qualifying residential development. The Objective Design Standards Manual includes provisions related to site planning, building design, massing and articulation, landscaping, parking, and accessory structures. These standards are intended to be applied through a ministerial review process and verified during plan check.
The standards apply to the following residential development projects as shown below:
a. Single-family and/or duplex neighborhoods, multi -family, and mixed -use developments that dedicate at least 20 percent of base units as affordable to low income households on sites id entified in the City’s Housing Element to accommodate the lower income regional housing needs allocation (RHNA), consistent with Government Code Section 65583.2, subdivisions (c), (h), and (i).
b. Single-family and/or duplex neighborhoods, multi -family, and mixed-use developments that dedicate at least 10 percent of base units as affordable to low income households, on sites that are not identified in the City’s adopted Housing Element and meet all SB 35 eligibility requirements pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.4.
c. Substantiative renovations or structural alterations of the building types listed in sections (a) and (b), when 50 percent or more of the exterior walls or roof are demolished as part of the renovation.
213
Projects that meet the above eligibility criteria for ministerial processing will not require discretionary review, public hearings, or City Council approval. Projects that do not meet these criteria will continue to be processed through the City’s standard discretionary review procedures. Adoption of the proposed standards will ensure consistency with State law and implement the Housing Element, while providing applicants with clear and consistent expectations for project design and development. The ODS, if approved, will not apply to projects currently under review and will apply only to applications submitted after the effective date (potentially mid-July).
Environmental:
The proposed ordinance is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, which provides that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA only applies to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Zoning Code Amendment ZA-2026-01004 will not have a significant effect on the environment as it simply establishes objective design review standards for residential projects in accordance with State law; it does not authorize construction or development. As the City receives individual project applications, projects subject to discretionary review will be reviewed in accordance with CEQA; projects subject to ministerial approval under SB 35 are exempt from CEQA pursuant to Government Code Section 21080(b)(1).
Public Notice:
On May 21, 2026, a public notice was published in the Laguna Niguel News.
Attachment:
1. Draft Ordinance
2. Draft Objective Design Standards Manual
3. Response to Developer’s Comments
4. Presentation
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ORDINANCE NO. 2026-
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALISO
VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE ALISO VIEJO MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ESTABLISH OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR
QUALIFYING HOUSING PROJECTS AND DETERMINING THE
ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA
WHEREAS, in recent years , legislation, including Senate Bill 35 ( “SB 35 ”), requires certain housing projects to be reviewed using objective design standards (“ODS”) in order to address the statewide housing shortage and streamline approval of housing projects; and
WHEREAS, objective standards are measurable, clearly defined, verifiable, and quantifiable and do not rely on personal or subjective judgment by a reviewing authority; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aliso Viejo (“City”) currently applies the design standards set forth in Section 15.62 of the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code (“AVMC”), which include standards that are subjective in nature and cannot be applied to projects eligible for ministerial approval under SB 35; and
WHEREAS, in November 2025, the City received funding through the Orange County Council of Governments (“OCCOG”) Regional Early Action Planning (“REAP 2.0”) grant program to prepare ODS; and
WHEREAS, the City has developed an ODS Manual with assistance from PlaceWorks, to provide detailed, objective criteria covering aspects of design , including, but not limited to, site planning, open space, building mass and scale, and materials; and
WHEREAS, the City conducted outreach to the development community, including holding a Developer Roundtable on May 14, 2026 to introduce the concept of ODS and solicit public and stakeholder input on the draft ODS Manual, and incorporated feedback where appropriate; and
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2026, a public notice of the public hearing was published in the Laguna Niguel News; and
WHEREAS, on June 3, 202 6, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing as prescribed by law and introduced an Ordinance amending Section s 15.62.010 and
15.62.040 of the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code to establish ODS; and
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Ordinance have occurred.
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NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The recitals above are each incorporated by reference and adopted as findings by the City Council.
SECTION 2. CEQA. The City Council finds that Zoning Code Amendment Z A- 2026-01004 is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, which provides that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no po ssibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Zoning Code Amendment ZA -2026-01004 will not have a significant effect on the environment as it simply establishes objective desi gn review standards for residential projects and does not authorize construction or development. Therefore, the City Council finds that this Ordinance is exempt from CEQA. As the City receives individual qualifying residential project applications, project s subject to discretionary review will be reviewed in accordance with CEQA and projects subject to ministerial approval under SB 35 will be exempt from CEQA (pursuant to Government Code section 21080(b)(1)).
SECTION 3. Approval of Findings for a Zoning Code Amendment. In accordance with AVMC section 15.78.050(E), the City Council hereby makes the following findings of fact and approves a Zoning Code Amendment ZA-2026-01004 to adopt the Objective Design Standards Manual to establish clear and measurable cri teria for qualifying residential projects, as set forth in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
1. Public Welfare. Approval of Zoning Code Amendment ZA-2026-01004 will not create conditions materially detrimental to the public health, safety, and general welfare. Zoning Code A mendment ZA-2026-01004 maintains appropriate development standards and land use compatibility and will not result in adverse impacts to surrounding properties or the community.
2. General Plan Consistency. Zoning C ode Amendment ZA-2026-01004 is consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the general plan and any applicable specific plan. Zoning Code Amendment ZA-2026-01004 supports General Plan Goal H -1, “Encourage a diversity of housing types and provide affordability levels within Aliso Viejo to meet the needs of community residents,” Goal H-2, “Create safe and aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods, and provide adequate housing to meet the needs of all household types and income groups,” and Goal H -3b, “Increase the supply of affordable housing in high opportunity areas.”
SECTION 4. Code Amendment. Section 15.62.10 of the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
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15.62.010 Purpose and intent.
This chapter sets out standards for physical design in Aliso Viejo. It provides architectural, landscape and site planning criteria for the design and review of proposed commercial, office, industrial, residential, and other development within the city. [Ord. 2011 -131 § 3 (Exh. A)].
This chapter operates in conjunction with the City’s adopted Objective Design Standards, which provide quantifiable design metrics for certain housing projects in Aliso Viejo.
SECTION 5. Code Amendment. Section 15.62.40 of the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
15.62.040 Applicability of design standards.
A. Applicability.
1. Projects Subject to Design Review. Except for those projects identified in subsection (A)(2) of this section, the following projects shall be subject to design review under the provisions of this chapter or the City’s Objective Design Standards:
Projects w hich require a site development or conditional use permit pursuant to Chapter 15.74 AVMC and which: (a) involve new building construction; or (b) involve exterior alterations to existing buildings and/or sites. For such alterations, the design standards shall apply only to the portions of the project being altered and only design measures connected to the proposed improvements shall be required.
2. Projects Not Subject to Design Review. The following projects are not subject to design review:
a. Construction of an individual single -family detached home by an owner-builder;
b. Alterations to existing single-family detached homes; c. Interior alterations to existing buildings;
d. Applications which do not involve building construction.
3. Projects Subject to Objective Design Standards. The following projects are subject to design review under the City’s adopted Objective Design Standards, in lieu of the provisions of this chapter:
a. Single-family and/or duplex neighborhoods, multi -family, and mixed-use developments that dedicate at least 20 percent of base units as affordable to low income households on sites identified in the City’s Housing Element to accommodate the l ower income regional housing needs allocation ( RHNA), consistent with Government Code Section 65583.2, subdivisions (c), (h), and (i). b. Single-family and/or duplex neighborhoods, multi -family, and mixed-use developments that dedicate at least 10 percent of base units as affordable to low income households, on sites that are not 217
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identified in the City’s adopted Housing Element and meet all SB 35 eligibility requirements pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.4.
c. Substantiative renovations or structural alte rations of the building types listed in subsection (A)(3)(a) and (A)(3)(b), when 50 percent or more of the exterior walls or roof are demolished as part of the renovation.
B. Architectural Standards.
1. Commercial Standards. The commercial architectural standards of AVMC 15.62.090 shall apply to the following projects:
a. Freestanding retail buildings, shopping centers, restaurants, and other commercial development.
b. Civic centers.
c. Institutional buildings, such as churches, libraries, museums, schools, and colleges.
d. Small-scale hotels and hospitals, three stories or less. e. Mixed use projects which are predominantly commercial but which also includ e other uses within the same building or cluster of buildings (e.g., residential units above retail stores or professional offices within a commercial building or shopping center), excepting those projects subject to the City’s Objective Design Standards.
2. Office and Industrial Standards. The office-industrial architectural standards of AVMC 15.62.100 shall apply to the following projects:
a. Office and industrial buildings and parks.
b. Utility substations.
c. Large-scale hotels and hospitals, four stories or above. d. Mixed use projects which are predominantly office or industrial but which also contain small incidental commercial uses, such as a sandwich shop.
3. Office and Industrial Buildings in Commercial Areas. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (A)(1) and (2) of this section, in order to promote consistent design quality within the community’s retail commercial areas, the city shall have the discretion of applying the commercial architectural standards of AVMC 15.62.090 to office, industrial, or other buildings proposed for such commercial areas.
4. Residential Standards. The residential architectural standards of AVMC 15.62.120 shall apply to projects with two or more residential units, excepting those projects subject to the City’s Objective Design Standards.
C. Determinations Regarding Applicability. When it is not immediately apparent whether a proposed project is subject to the provisions of this chapter under the 218
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categories listed in this section, the director shall decide. The director’s decision shall be based on his or her determination of the most applicable category of the project and the goal and objectives set out in AVMC 15.62.020. [Ord. 2011 -131 § 3 (Exh. A)].
D. Amendments to the Objective Design Standards Manual. Any future amendments to the Objective Design Standards Manual shall be adopted by City Council resolution.
SECTION 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance takes effect 30 days after its adoption.
SECTION 7. Publication. The City Clerk is directed to certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and post or publish this Ordinance as required by law.
SECTION 8. Custodian of Records. The custodian of records for this Ordinance is the City Clerk and the records compris ing the administrative record are located at 12 Journey, Suite 100, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656.
SECTION 9. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction , such invalidity has no effect on the other pro visions or applications of the O rdinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this extent, the provisions of this Ordinance are severable. The City Council declares t hat it would have adopted this Ordinance irrespective of the invalidity of any portion thereof.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3th day of June, 2026.
__________________________
Max Duncan
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
__________________________ __________________________ Scott C. Smith, City Attorney Maria Kendig, City Clerk
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF ALISO VIEJO )
I, MARIA KENDIG , City Clerk of the City of Aliso Viejo, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that foregoing Ordinance No. 202 6-__ duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo at their regular meeting held on the 17th day of June, 2026, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
___________________________
MARIA KENDIG
CITY CLERK
(SEAL)
I hereby certify that the foregoing is the original of Ordinance No. 202 6-___ duly passed and adopted by the Aliso Viejo City Council at its regular meeting held June 17, 2026, and that the Summary of the Ordinance was published on _____, 2026 in the Orange County Register.
___________________________
MARIA KENDIG
CITY CLERK
(SEAL)
220
60367.01100\45049645.1
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EXHIBIT A
OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS MANUAL
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RESIDENTIAL
Objective Design Standards
City of Aliso Viejo
Adopted XX, 2026
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Prepared for:
Funded by:
Prepared by:
Adopted by City Council:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Applicability
2.1 Access and Circulation
2.2 Streets
2.3 Off Street Parking Bays
2.4 Screening of Equipment and Facilities
2.5 Outdoor Lighting
2.6 Pedestrian Circulation
2.7 Bikeways and Equestrian Trails
2.8 Parks and Open Space
2.9 Trash Enclosures
3.1 Color and Style
06 09
10 16
16 16
16 17
17 17
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Cont.TABLE OF CONTENTS
3.2 Architectural Styles
3.3 Building Elevations
3.4 Roofs
3.5 Materials
3.6 Doors, Windows, and Trim
3.7 Garages and Carports
3.8 Accessory Elements
4.1 Threshold and Applicability
4.2 Site Planing
4.3 Architecture and Materials
4.4 Landscape and Open Space
4.5 Mixed Use
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Chapter 1
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Applicability
INTRODUCTION
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CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
6 1.2 State Requirements
Senate Bill 330 (SB 330) established the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (HCA) to increase residential unit development; protect existing housing inventory; and expedite permit processing.
In addition, SB 35 requires local entities to streamline the approval by providing a ministerial process through which a project is only reviewed against objective standards.
For the purposes of SB 330 and SB 35, an eligible “housing development project” must be a multifamily or mixed-use project (with at least 2/3rd of the square footage being for residential uses).
Under these laws, cities and counties are prohibited from denying a housing development project or reducing its
density based on a subjective design standard. A project can only be reviewed against “objective, quantifiable, written development standards, conditions and policies,” and can only be denied if certain findings described in Gov. Code §65589.5(j) are met.
1.1 Introduction
Development and design standards regulate development
intensity, style, size, and orientation. Objective design standards (ODS) are measurable, verifiable, and quantifiable, supporting consistent housing design in the community.
Ultimately, the standards contained in this document will provide for a predictable and equitable path for new housing in the City of Aliso Viejo.
This document provides clear and useful standards for
the design of residential development in Aliso Viejo.
These standards are written as minimum design standards for site and structure design but also offer various
recommendations and guidelines for quality and character.
Proposed projects must comply with all applicable building permit requirements, zoning code requirements, and other development standards found in the City of Aliso Viejo’s Development Code (AVMC).
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7 1.3 Applicability
Refer to Section 15.62.040 of the AVMC for applicability provisions and the list of project types that are required to be reviewed through these Objective Design Standards.
These standards do not apply to minor renovations (i.e. when less than 50 percent of the exterior walls or roof are demolished as part of the renovation) and routine
maintenance of residential (single-family, multi-family, and mixed use) developments, even if such projects are
qualifying SB 35 projects.
For SB 35 developments including, spanning or creating
multiple lots, these standards apply to all lots proposed for multi-family housing, mixed-use developments, and any
associated amenities, open space, or utilities that would serve multi-family or mixed-use units.
These standards are in addition to the standards of the underlying base zone. In the event of conflicting standards between these standards and the base zone, the more
restrictive standard shall apply. For projects located in a Specific Plan, and if there is a conflict between the City’s ODS and the Specific Plan’s objective standards, the Specific Plan’s objective standards shall prevail. Proposed projects must also comply with all other applicable local and state ordinances and codes.
1.4 Document Organization
These objective design standards serve as a stand-alone illustrated document, empowered by appropriate reference within the City’s Development Code.
The standards contained in this document are split into three chapters. Chapter 2 consists of site planning standards, including those pertaining to access and circulation, streets, off-street parking, screening of equipment and facilities, outdoor lighting, pedestrian circulation, parks and open space, and trash enclosures.
Chapter 3 includes architectural standards, and includes a menu of architectural styles new residential development in Aliso Viejo shall adhere to. Standards pertaining to building elevations, roofs, materials, doors, windows, and garages are also included in this chapter.
Finally, Chapter 4 includes additional standards for
large-scale residential, which is defined as residential developments at 25 or more units per acre.
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Chapter 2
2.1 Access and Circulation
2.2 Streets
2.3 Off Street Parking Bays
2.4 Screening of Equipment and Facilities
2.5 Outdoor Lighting
2.6 Pedestrian Circulation
2.7 Bikeways and Equestrian Trails
2.8 Parks and Open Space
2.9 Trash Enclosures
SITE PLANNING
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CHAPTER 2
SITE PLANNING
9 2.1 Access and Circulation
1. Connections to Existing Network. Where an existing
public or private street terminates at the project
boundary, the project shall align any connecting internal street or pedestrian pathway within 15 degrees of the
existing alignment unless prevented by topography,
easements, or existing utilities
2. Entries.
a. Project Identification. Identification signs shall
be provided for all residential projects. Such signs
shall conform to the limitations on size, height, and
placement set out in Chapter 15.34 AVMC.
b. Entry Location. Project entries shall not be located closer than 100 feet from an intersection/curb return.
If the parcel frontage is less than 100 feet from curb
return the curb cut shall be located as far from the
curb return as possible. A curb return is the point
where the radius of a curve or intersection ends.
c. Entry Design. Entry landscape treatment shall be in
accordance with the landscape standards of AVMC
15.62.060.
d. Gated Entries. Gate-guarded entries shall be regulated in accordance with city regulations governing gate-
guarded neighborhoods as set out in AVMC 15.14.200.
3. Transit. Projects with a bus or transit stop along its frontage shall incorporate turnouts according to the
standards of the applicable transit agency or school
district.
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10 2.2 Streets
Residential developments shall feature a circulation system with a clear hierarchy of streets, either public or private, that allows for efficient ingress and egress of vehicles, safe and convenient pedestrian connections throughout the development, and other associated infrastructure. An exhibit demonstrating that all portions of a project’s roadway system adheres to one of the following street types shall be included. Street types shall not be combined with another street type. Public streets contained in a residential development shall adhere to AVMC 14.10.060. Private streets shall adhere to AVMC 14.10.040 and the design standards contained in this document.
Residential alleys provide dedicated
vehicle access to the garages of
individual residential units. Residential
alleys are the least pedestrian-oriented
street type.
Lane courts provide both vehicular
and pedestrian access to multiple
residences. Front doors open onto the
lane court, which features distinct
paving to demarcate the court’s dual
functions.
Neighborhood entries serve as the primary access point(s) to a residential neighborhood, and may feature gates, special landscape treatments, and monumentation.
Residential drives are the primary street
typology for residential neighborhoods,
connecting various dwelling units
with other portions of the community
through features such as front doors,
pedestrian walkways, and landscaping.
A system of pedestrian walkways shall
also connect all residential dwellings to
the public sidewalk, parking facilties,
common open areas, waste and recycling
enclosures, and mailboxes, as described
in Section 2.6.
Residential lanes provide vehicular
and pedestrian access to multiple
residences in the form of a shared
street. This street type features
distinct entry paving and landscaping
to demarcate the lane’s dual functions.
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11 1. Neighborhood Entries. All neighborhood entries
shall adhere to the following standards:
a. Garages for individual units are not permitted
to be accessed from neighborhood entries.
b. A pedestrian walkway at least 4 feet
wide is required on at least one side of a
neighborhood entry.
c. A 5-foot wide landscaped area is required
along the full length of a neighborhood entry.
This landscaped area may be adjacent to the
required pedestrian walkway.
Neighborhood entries serve as the primary access point(s) to a residential neighborhood, and may feature gates,
special landscape treatments, and monumentation. Guest
and/or new resident parking is also permitted within a
Neighborhood Entry.
Neighborhood Entries
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12 2. Residential Drives. All residential drives shall adhere to the following standards:
a. A pedestrian walkway at least 4 feet wide is
required on at least one side of a residential drive.
b. In addition to the pedestrian walkway, a 5-foot
wide landscaped area is required on both sides of
a Rresidential drive. Street trees shall be installed
within this landscaped area.
c. Only residential units that feature both their
primary unit entries and garages on same
elevation/façade may provide direct vehicular
access onto a residential drive.
Residential drives are the primary street typology for
residential neighborhoods, connecting various dwelling units with other portions of the community through features such as front doors, pedestrian walkways, and landscaping. Parallel parking is permitted on residential drives.
Residential Drives
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13 3. Residential Alleys. All residential alleys
shall adhere to the following standards:
a. Pedestrian walkways are not required
along residential alleys.
b. Primary dwelling entries (aka front
doors) are prohibited along residential
alleys, but may be provided along
another elevation, such as an adjacent
residential drive.
c. The garage of a unit adjacent to a
residential alley shall be accessed from
the residential alley.
Residential Alleys
Residential alleys provide dedicated vehicle access
to the garages of individual residential units. They
are the least pedestrian-oriented street type.
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14 4. Residential Lanes. All residential lanes shall
adhere to the following standards:
a. Residential lanes shall be at least 30 feet
wide, as measured from garage-to-garage.
b. Patterned/colored pavers, brick, colored
concrete, or stamped concrete that differ
from adjacent paving shall be provided at
the first 10 feet of each entrance to the
residential lane.
c. At least 5% of the area of a residential lanes
shall be landscaped.
d. At least 2 trees shall be planted at each entry
to a residential lane.
e. A maximum of 32 dwelling units may feature
vehicular access from a single residential lane.
Residential lanes provide both vehicular and pedestrian access to multiple residences in the form of a shared
street. This street type features distinct entry paving and landscaping to demarcate the lane’s dual use as a
pedestrian and vehicular space.
Residential Lanes
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15 Lane Courts
5. Lane Courts. All lane courts shall adhere to
the following standards:
a. Lane courts shall be at least 30 feet wide,
as measured garage-to-garage.
b. The entire length of a lane court colored/
patterned with pavers, concrete, stamped
asphalt, or brick.
c. At least 5% of the area of a lane court shall
be landscaped.
d. At least 2 trees shall be planted at the
vehicular entry to a lane court.
e. A maximum of 10 dwelling units may
feature vehicular access from a single lane
court.
Lane courts provide both vehicular and pedestrian
access to multiple residences, and feature a single
vehicular access point. Front doors open onto the lane
court, which features distinct paving to demarcate the
court’s dual use as a pedestrian and vehicular space.
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16 2.3 Off Street Parking Bays
Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with the ratios set out in AVMC 15.38.030.
2.4 Screening of Equipment and Facilities
Screening of equipment and facilities shall conform to the provisions of AVMC 15.62.080.
2.5 Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting shall conform to the provisions of AVMC 15.62.070.
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2.6 Pedestrian Circulation
In addition to the street types described in Section B, Streets, a system of pedestrian walkways shall connect all residential dwelling units to the public sidewalk, parking facilities, common open areas, waste and recycling
enclosures, mailboxes, and other such features provided in the development. This system shall adhere to the following standards:
1. Connectivity. Pedestrian walkways shall not terminate at streets, but shall either:
a. Merge with a sidewalk running parallel with the street. b. Traverse the street via crosswalks demarcated
with paint or decorative paving, provided that this
crosswalk connects to:
i. A sidewalk on the other side of the street
ii. Another pedestrian walkway
iii. Common open area
iv. Recreational amenities
2. Paving. Pedestrian walkways shall be paved.
3. Width. Pedestrian walkways shall be at least 4 feet wide. 237
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C N/C N/A C N/A Sheet # 2.7 Bikeways and Equestrian Trails Bikeways and equestrian/hiking trails shall be provided in conjunction with each residential development in accordance with the City’s General Plan, Development Code, and other applicable plans and ordinances.
2.8 Parks and Open Space
1. Landscaping. Landscape treatments shall be in
accordance with the landscape standards of AVMC
15.62.060.
2. Common open area. In addition to public parkland
contributions, residential projects shall provide usable common open area pursuant to AVMC 15.10.030.
a. Location. All residential units shall be within 300 feet of a common open area.
b. Setbacks. Common open areas shall be separated from
arterial streets, service areas, and nonresidential uses by at least 10 feet. This 10-foot separation shall not be utilized in calculating open space.
2.9 Trash Enclosures
Residential trash enclosures shall conform to the same
provisions as nonresidential enclosures set forth in AVMC
15.62.080 and shall accommodate the storage of trash,
recycling, and organic waste containers.
Residential trash storage for single-family and duplexes shall not encroach into the unobstructed vehicular space required in Section AVMC 15.38.030. If stored in a garage, space for trash, recycling, and organic waste containers shall be at least 3 feet deep. This space may be located beside or behind the required unobstructed vehicular space.
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Chapter 3
3.1 Color and Style
3.2 Architectural Styles
3.3 Building Elevations
3.4 Roofs
3.5 Materials
3.6 Doors, Windows, and Trim
3.7 Garages and Carports
3.8 Accessory Elements
ARCHITECTURE
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19 3.1 Color and Style
Residential developments shall provide multiple colors schemes as they increase in scale.
If multiple color schemes are provided, a single color scheme shall be dedicated to no less than 30 percent of all residential buildings.
1. Residential developments with 25 to 50 single-family/duplex units, or 6 to 10 multifamily buildings shall provide a minimum of two distinct color schemes.
2. Residential developments with 51 to 100 single-family/duplex units, or 11 to 20 multifamily buildings shall provide at least two of the architectural styles in this section, each with at least one distinct color scheme.
3. Residential developments with 101 or more single-family/duplex units, or 21 or more multifamily buildings shall provide at least three of the architectural styles in this section, each with at least one distinct color scheme.
If multiple housing typologies (e.g. single-family units and townhomes) are proposed within a single development, the required number of styles for each typology may differ depending on the overall number of units or buildings provided in each typology.
3.2 Architectural Styles
All new residential developments shall adhere to one of the architectural styles contained in this section. All proposed design elements that define the chosen architectural style shall also meet the other standards contained in this document.
Architectural design elements and materials shall be consistent throughout the project, recognizing that a building is three dimensional and must feature architectural detailing on all sides. To provide guidance on architectural styles, the standards offer a menu of architectural traditions:
• Spanish Revival
• Tuscan
• Modern Ranch
• Modern
Each style contains a list of required architectural characteristics pertaining to roofs, walls, doors, and windows. In addition, all styles contain a menu of options that shall be included to provide architectural detailing to the building.
Styles may not be mixed within a single building.
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20 A. Spanish Revival
Spanish Revival style, also known as Spanish Colonial,
Mission, or Monterey, is characterized by picturesque
combinations of simple rectilinear forms of varying
heights. The buildings are capped with gabled or
hipped roofs of red clay barrel tiles with little or no eave overhang. Courtyards and well-detailed structural
elements, such as pergolas, trellises or loggias and
arcades often provide another layer to the massing.
Elements such as balconies, towers, chimneys and
other tile, wood, or wrought iron details add accents.
Asymmetrical facades are common with arches over
windows and doorways.
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21 All Spanish Revival style residential buildings shall adhere to the following standards:
1. Low pitched (4:12 maximum) gable roofs. The pitch shall remain constant. Roofs shall be clay tile or concrete/cement tile roofs. Common tile shapes include both Spanish (S-shaped) and Mission (half-cylinder) types. Additional forms are permitted as follows:
a. Hipped roofs may be used in combination with gables or on a tower element, b. Shed roofs may used in conjunction with verandas and minor “lean-to” structures, c. Flat roofs with parapets shall not exceed 40% of the total roof area;
2. At least 25% of the eaves shall have a minimum overhang of 9 inches with exposed rafter tails;
3. Primary facades shall be off-white, cream, or tan stucco with a smooth or lightly textured finish (i.e. minimum 16/20 finish, hand troweled or smaller particles). Window and doors shall be in a dark, contrasting color (such as black, navy blue, or forest green);
4. At least two types/shapes of windows shall be used. At least 50% of the windows shall have a vertical proportion. Windows over 5 feet in width shall be multi-paned;
5. All entrance doors shall be recessed at least 6 inches and banded with ceramic tile, molded plaster or painted accents; and
6. Wood or manufactured wood products shall be for at least one architectural element (such as posts and exposed beams; spindles and grill work; window frames, shutters, etc.).
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22 In addition, duplexes and detached single-family Spanish Revival buildings shall include at least two of the following features; buildings with 10 units or less shall feature at least three of the following features, and buildings with 11 or more units shall include at least four of the following features:
1. Use a minimum 3-inch wide by 1.5-inch thick flat casing on all non-recessed windows;
2. Provide verandas for at least 50 percent the total units in the building, each with a minimum depth of 6 feet and a minimum width of 10 feet;
3. Install awnings with metal spear supports at least 1 inch in diameter and spaced no more than 4 feet apart for at least 20% the total window count;
4. Provide shutters for at least 20% of the total window count;
5. Construct chimneys extending at least 2 feet above
the roof ridge, featuring either a decorative cap, tile surrounding, or overhanging roof element;
6. Include a minimum of two decorative masonry, clay tile, or simulated vents per elevation, each at least 144 square inches in size;
7. Apply decorative tile accents covering at least 5% of the surface area around door and window openings, built-in
seating, paving, or stairs;
8. Feature exposed, dark-stained timber structural elements such as beams, columns, and corbels with a minimum
width of 4 inches.
9. Integrate one or more arched elements measuring at
least 5 feet wide and 8 feet tall;
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23 10. Utilize paired wood (or wood simulated) garage doors with at least two pieces of 18-inch iron or simulated iron strap hardware per door leaf;
11. Use shutters that match the door or trim accent color and are sized to cover 100% of the window opening width;
12. Design stepped-down ends that are at least 5 feet wide and 10 feet lower than the primary building mass;
13. Maintain three or more roof planes and/or ridge lines with a minimum slope of 3:12;
14. Build upper floor cantilevered balconies that project a minimum of 3 feet from the building face;
15. Define courtyards and walkways using verandas or
pergolas with a minimum clear depth of 8 feet that cover at least 25% of the courtyard perimeter;
16. Utilize arcades with a minimum walkway width of 6
feet and arch spans of at least 4 feet to define primary circulation paths or courtyard edges;
17. Construct wingwalls with a minimum thickness of 1 foot or ground-level columns with a minimum diameter of 10
inches; and/or
18. Employ wrought iron for at least one architectural
element, such as balcony railings at least 3 feet high, hardware, light fixtures, or gates.
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24 B. Tuscan
Tuscan style is an interpretation of traditional Mediterranean architectural style joined by rural Italian elements. Key elements include the use of stone and stucco, light earth tones, and red tile roofs. Classical elements such as columns and arches and decorative iron work add visual complexity.
Squared towers and projections speak to Italianate
references. Porches and porticoes are common, as are
vertically oriented, recessed windows.
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25 All Tuscan style residential buildings shall adhere to the following standards:
1. Low-pitched hip or gable roof (maximum 6:12 slope) and at least 3 roof levels;
2. Roof material shall be composed of tiles;
3. Large overhanging eaves (minimum 12 inches) along primary elevation;
4. Flat stucco walls in earth tones shall be utilized, with earth toned being defined as a color with a lightness (light reflective) value of 25 to 60 that is composed of a mixture of any shade of brown and any shade of any other color or colors;
5. At least 50% of windows shall be recessed 3 to 9 inches from outer wall on primary façade and shall feature brown or beige trim; and
6. At least one casement window per unit shall be provided on single-family/duplex buildings, and shall be paired with four-pane patterns for narrow windows and eight-pane patterns for wider windows.
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26 In addition, duplexes and detached single-family Tuscan buildings shall include at least two of the following features; buildings with 10 units or less shall feature at least three of the following features, and buildings with 11 or more units shall include at least four of the following features:
1. Arched wall niches with a minimum depth of 8 inches
and a height-to-width ratio of at least 1.5:1 to ensure a vertical proportion;
2. Carved medallions with a minimum diameter of 12 inches and a depth of projection between 1.5 and 3 inches from the wall surface;
3. Ceramic inset tiles of 4x4 or 6x6 inches and recessed so the tile face sits flush with the surrounding stucco or stone finish;
4. Corner quoins: each block must have a minimum vertical height of 12 inches, with lengths alternating between 18 and 24 inches, and forming an interlocking pattern;
5. Decorative clavos, spaced no more than 6 to 8 inches apart on center along the perimeter or panels of wooden doors and shutters;
6. Decorative corbels with a minimum vertical height of 10 inches and a projection (run) that supports at least 60% of the overhanging element’s depth;
7. Decorative plaster friezes between 8 and 18 inches in height, located within the top 10% of the wall’s total
vertical height;
8. Timber lintels with a minimum cross-section of 6x8 inches and extend at least 4 inches beyond the width of the
window opening on both sides;
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27 9. Juliet balconies, not more than 1 foot deep;
10. Sconces with a minimum height of 18 inches (excluding the mounting arm).
11. Scrolled window grilles projecting at least 4 to 6 inches from the window pane at their furthest point;
12. Stone window sills at least 3 inches thick and projecting a minimum of 2.5 inches beyond the finished wall
surface to create a distinct shadow line;
13. Terracotta chimney pots standing between 18 and 36
inches tall, with a minimum wall thickness of 0.75
inches;
14. Tiered water features with a least two levels of basins, with the primary basin having a minimum diameter of
36 inches;
15. Trellis rafter tails extending at least 12 inches beyond the outermost supporting beam; or
16. Wrought iron finials extending a minimum of 8 to 12 inches above the ridge line or railing cap, with a base diameter of at least 2 inches.
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28 C. Modern Ranch
Modern Ranch style is the synthesis of the
California Ranch and the Modern Farmhouse
styles. It merges the horizontal emphasis of
the 19th-century Western vernacular with
the clean lines and verticality of current
residential form. This style prioritizes
seamless indoor-outdoor connections,
utilizing a sophisticated palette and a
mixture of rustic and industrial materials.
Modern Ranch shall not be applied to
buildings over 3 stories in height, or to any
Large-Scale Residential project.
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29 All modern ranch buildings shall adhere to the following standards:
1. Roofs shall be a combination of low-pitched hipped or gable-on-hip forms (3:12 to 5:12 slope) and prominent gabled or shed roof accents (minimum 6:12 slope).
2. Primary roof surfaces shall consist of dark architectural-grade asphalt shingles or synthetic slate.
Accent roof planes, such as those over porches or bay windows, must utilize standing-seam metal or copper.
3. Eaves shall be a minimum of 2 feet along the primary elevation. Rafters may be boxed or open with exposed timber tails, emphasizing the horizontal plane.
4. Facades must utilize at least two materials: horizontal clapboard or smooth stucco (sand/dash finish) for the primary body, and board-and-batten siding or corrugated metal covering at least 15% of the exterior surface.
5. Windows shall feature slim-profile frames (steel, aluminum, or wood). At least 50% of the windows must feature a vertical proportion of at least 1.5:1.
6. Facade colors shall be restricted to pastels, grays, or earth tones, being defined as a color with a lightness (light reflective) value of 25 to 60 that is composed of a mixture of any shade of brown and any shade of any other color or colors. Contrasting dark accents (black or charcoal) or white accents are required for window sashes, doors, and architectural metalwork.
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30 In addition, single-family and duplex modern ranch buildings shall include two of the following features; buildings with up to 10 residential units shall include at least three of the following features; and buildings with 11 or more residential units shall feature at least four of the following features:
1. 3 to 6-inch unadorned board trim around all window and door openings;
2. A wide front porch recessed under the primary roofline, supported by square columns or wrought iron supports;
3. A wide brick or natural stone chimney located on the primary or street-facing façade;
4. Integration of clerestory windows within the upper
triangular portion of gable ends;
5. Cantilevered eaves or patio covers extending at least 5 feet from the facade, supported by industrial metal or
heavy timber columns;
6. Wall-mounted gooseneck light fixtures used as the
primary exterior illumination for entries and garage doors;
7. Garage doors or large entries featuring carriage-style detailing or “Dutch door” split configurations.
8. At least three distinct wall planes across the primary elevation;
9. Metal-clad awnings without side supports installed over ground-level windows;
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31 10. The inclusion of at least one hexagonal, octagonal, or circular “moon” window or gate at the primary entrance;
11. Architectural massing inspired by rural granaries or tank houses (e.g., a vertical tower element for a stairwell);
12. Built-in wood or metal window boxes or balconettes on at least 20% of the street-facing windows;
13. Use of shed or gabled dormers to break up large roof planes;
14. Dark-color wood trellises or heavy timber lintels
(minimum 6x8 inches) positioned above ground-floor
openings;
15. Application of plank-style, louvered, or framed wood shutters on at least 20% of windows on a publicly visible elevation, finished in a darker accent color;
16. Use of unadorned corrugated metal panels for focal wall sections or as “eyebrow” awnings over secondary entries; or
17. Inclusion of at least one projecting bay window on the front facade, which may utilize a standing-seam metal or copper roof regardless of the primary roof material.
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32 D. Modern
Modern architecture is the post-World War II iteration
of the International Style, which was characterized by
geometric forms, smooth wall surfaces, and an absence
of exterior decoration. Modern architecture represents
the adaptation of these elements to the local climate and topography, as well as the postwar need for efficiently- built homes. In Southern California, this often meant the use of wood post-and-beam construction. Modernism is
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33 All modern buildings shall adhere to the following standards:
1. Flat, low pitched, folded plate, or butterfly roofs shall be utilized (4:12 slope max). Tile roofs are prohibited.
a. Flat-roofed buildings shall incorporate a decorative molding (minimum 6-inch height for single- story, 12-inch for multi-story) that projects from the wall plane. b. Minimum 12-inch overhangs are required for at least 50 percent of the roofline.
2. The primary wall materials shall be either glass, concrete block veneer, natural stone, metal panels or wood. At least 20 percent of the street-facing façade shall be composed of glass/ windows.
3. Primary facade colors shall be restricted to off-whites, greys, metallic shades, or earth-tones.
Brighter colors with a light reflectance value (LRV) greater than 70 may only be used on recesses and detailing shall be reserved for recesses and architectural detailing. Contrasting accent colors (black or charcoal) are required for window sashes, doors, and architectural metalwork.
4. Primary entrances must be recessed by a minimum of 12 inches to create shadow lines.
5. Windows shall feature metal (steel/aluminum) frames. Frames shall not be white.
6. Windows shall be square or rectangular.
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34 In addition, single-family and duplex modern buildings shall include two of the following features; buildings with up to 10 residential units shall include at least three of the following features; and buildings with 11 or more residential units shall feature at least four of the following features:
1. Aluminum louvers consisting of fixed or operable
horizontal slats with an anodized or powder-coated finish;
2. Board and batten siding consisting of vertical boards 8 to 12 inches wide, with 1 to 2-inch wide battens;
3. Breeze block consisting of hollow-core masonry units with geometric apertures, stacked in a continuous plane;
4. Cantilevered upper stories projecting at least 3 feet beyond the ground-floor wall plane, supported without
visible vertical columns;
5. Clerestory windows consisting of a horizontal band of glazing positioned located immediately beneath the
roofline;
6. Colonnades consisting of at least three columns spaced at regular intervals of 6 to 10 feet, forming a continuous covered exterior walkway;
7. Corner windows consisting of glazing units joined at a 90-degree angle using mitered glass or a minimal-profile mullion less than 3 inches wide;
8. Decorative water feature consisting of a geometric pool or fountain with a minimum surface area of 100 square
feet;
9. Exposed post-and-beam construction consisting of a
visible structural framework of wood or steel members,
articulated as the primary load-bearing system;
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35 10. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls consisting of glazing units extending from the finished floor to the ceiling, utilizing slender frames;
11. Horizontal beveled windows consisting of bands of
windows featuring beveled glass or frames, oriented
horizontally;
12. Horizontal trellis consisting of a wood or metal framework of horizontal members, providing shade over at least 50 square feet of exterior space;
13. Metal shadowbox frames consisting of recessed window assemblies within a metal frame that projects at least 4 inches from the exterior wall surface;
14. Metal sunshades consisting of fixed horizontal or vertical metal fins mounted over glazing, with a projection depth- to-height ratio of at least 1:2;
15. Natural stone cladding consisting of travertine, marble, or granite applied in large-format slabs or ashlar patterns with a matte or honed finish;
16. Pivot-style front door, utilizing a concealed vertical pivot hinge system instead of side-mounted hinges;
17. Raised podium foundation consisting of a visible slab or masonry plinth that elevates the primary floor plate at least 3 feet above the finished grade;
18. Vertical metal slat awnings consisting of vertical metal slats spaced no more than 4 inches apart, projecting at least 1 foot from the facade.
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36 3.3 Building Elevations
Massing
Primary elevations shall incorporate design features such as offsets, balconies, projections, window reveals, or similar elements to preclude large expanses of uninterrupted building.
Along the vertical face of a structure, such features shall occur at a minimum of every 35 feet along neighborhood entries and residential drives:
1. Recesses (e.g. patio, forecourt, garage, balcony, etc.) with a minimum depth of 4 feet and a width of 10 feet.
2. Projections (e.g. floor area, bay window, covered entry, etc.) with a minimum depth of 2 feet and a width of 4
feet.
3. Offsets in the facade of 2 feet or greater.
Entrances
Residential entrances shall take the form of recesses, porches, stoops, overhangs, or forecourts for each primary dwelling unit.
1. Recesses. A recess is a portion of a building that is set back from other portions of the elevation. If used to
demarcate an entrance, recesses shall adhere to the
following standards:
a. Units. A single entry recess may serve up to two
residential units.
b. Width/Length. An entry recess shall be at least 5 feet wide, or 8 feet wide if used by two units.
c. Depth. An entry recess shall be at least 3 feet deep. d. Height. The recess shall extend from grade to roof.
e. Finish Level Above Sidewalk. An entryway solely
utilizing the recess frontage may be flush with the
sidewalk.
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37 2. Porches. A porch is a roofed, unenclosed room attached to the exterior of a building that provides a physical
transition between the sidewalk and the building. If
provided, porches shall adhere to the following standards:
a. Units. A single porch may serve no more than two
residential units
b. Width/Length. If provided, porches shall be at least 10 feet wide if serving one unit, or 12 feet wide if serving two units.
c. Depth. Porches shall be at least 6 feet deep.
d. Height. The clearance between the floor of the porch and the underside of the roof eave shall be at least 8
feet.
3. Stoops. A stoop is a stair and landing leading directly from the sidewalk to a building entrance. The ground
floor of the building is typically raised to provide
increased privacy for the rooms facing the public street.
If provided, stoops shall adhere to the following standards:
a. Units. An individual stoop may serve up to two
residential units.
b. Width/Length. If provided, stoops shall be at least 3 feet wide.
c. Depth. Stoops shall be at least 3 feet deep. All stoop entries shall be recessed into the building façade by 1 foot.
d. Height. An overhang above a stoop shall feature an 8 foot height clearance.
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38 4. Overhangs. An overhang is a frontage wherein the
building façade features a projection that covers the
entrance of a dwelling unit. If provided, overhangs shall adhere to the following standards:
a. Width/Length. If provided, overhangs shall be at least 5 feet wide.
b. Depth. Overhangs shall be at least 2 feet deep. If used in conjunction with a stoop, the overhang shall be at
least as deep as the stoop.
c. Height. The clearance between the floor of the
entryway and the underside of the overhang shall be at
least 8 feet.
5. Forecourts. A forecourt is formed when a building
is designed around an open space defined by the
surrounding building walls. Forecourts may provide
additional open space for units, and offer additional
spaces for landscaping. If provided, forecourts shall
adhere to the following standards:
a. Width/Length. If provided, forecourts shall be at least 10 feet wide if serving one unit, 12 feet wide if serving two or three units, or 15 feet wide if serving four units. b. Depth. Forecourts shall be at least as deep as they are wide.
c. Stairs. Stairs within a forecourt access units on an upper story.
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39 3.4 Roofs
1. Roofline Modulation. Residential buildings two or more stories shall incorporate at least one of the following:
a. Roofline Variation. Variation in roof height and/or
ridgeline as follows:
i. One story: Not required
ii. Two stories: 2 feet for every 30 linear feet
iii. Three stories: 2 feet for every 50 linear feet
iv. Four+ stories: 3 feet for every 75 linear feet
b. Pitched Roof Variation. Use of dormers, cross-gable
and/or hipped roof lines.
2. Flat Roofs. Flat roofs shall not cover more than 50
percent of the building’s footprint, and shall feature a screening parapet topped with a coping, cornice at least 3 feet in height.
a. Modern-style buildings may feature flat roofs that
cover 100 percent of its footprint.
3. Roof-Mounted Equipment. Roof-mounted equipment
(e.g., air conditioning, heating, ventilation, and
associated vents and exhausts) on multifamily buildings shall be screened from a horizontal line of sight pursuant to AVMC 15.62.080.
4. Antennas. Wireless communications, television, dish, amateur radio, and other antennas shall comply with the provisions of Chapters 15.42 and 15.44 AVMC.
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40 3.5 Materials
1. Material List. Residential developments shall adhere to Table 3-1.
2. Four-Sided Architecture. All elevations shall contain the same primary materials and trim treatment.
3. Material Changes. Changes in material or color shall occur at inside corners of intersecting walls or at
architectural features that break up the wall plane, such as columns.
LOCATION PERMITTED MATERIALS
ROOFS
Clay, slate, or concrete roof tiles
Composite shingles
Standing seam metal
BUILDING
WALLS
Stucco
Fiber-Cement Siding
Brick
Stone
Metal
Ignition-Resistant Wood
Ceramic Tile
Glass (glazing less than 15%)
FREE
STANDING
WALLS
Wood
Stucco over CMU block
Wrought iron
Brick
Table 3-1. Material List
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41 3.6 Doors, Windows, and Trim
1. Trim. All windows and exterior doors shall either be recessed from the plane of the surrounding exterior wall or shall have a trim or windowsill.
a. When trim is used, a minimum of 0.5 inch by 3 inch
trim is required, which is of a different color to the
primary color of the building.
b. On stucco walls, when no trim is used, a minimum of 1 inch deep, raised relief around the window is required. c. On brick or stone walls, when no trim is used, a
minimum 2 inch wide brickmold is required around
windows.
2. Door Elements. Additional elements required for front doors include:
a. Doorbells shall be provided within 2 feet of the front door.
b. Entry doors for individual units shall include a viewport.
3. Window Elements. Additional requirements for windows include:
a. Glass shall be clear without reflective coating or
dark tinting. Lightly tinted glazing less than 15% is
acceptable.
b. Openable windows shall include screens.
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42 3.7 Garages and Carports
1. Recess. Garage doors shall be set back at least 6 to 18 inches from the rest of the façade.
2. Treatments. Garage fixtures and wall treatments shall utilize materials and colors otherwise permitted for
the selected architectural style category. Garages shall feature at least two of the following design elements:
a. Driveway, residential lane, or lane court composed of patterned and/or colored pavers, brick, decorative
colored concrete, stamped concrete, or permeable
materials.
b. Roof overhang at least 1 foot in depth.
c. Windows on the garage door.
d. Sectional rollup doors.
e. Trellis at least 2 feet in depth.
f. Side-loading.
g. Decorative light fixture, consistent with the chosen architectural style.
3. Carports. Carport structures shall utilize the same
colors, architectural finishes, and roofing materials as the residential building(s) it serves.
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43 3.8 Accessory Elements
1. Patios. If provided as individual dwelling unit open space, private patios shall adhere to the following standards:
a. Patios shall have a minimum area of 60 square feet with a minimum dimension of 6 feet in each direction.
b. Patios shall be separated from common or public areas by a fence or wall.
2. Balconies. If provided as individual dwelling unit open space, balconies shall adhere to the following standards:
a. Balconies shall have a minimum area of 50 square feet with a minimum dimension of 5 feet in one direction. This dimension excludes areas for permanent equipment and storage. b. Balconies shall be recessed a minimum of 1 foot partially recessed into the building façade.
The maximum projection shall be 50 percent of the balcony’s full depth or 5 feet, whichever is less.
c. The underside of projecting balconies shall be finished with building material as the rest of the structure.
d. No balconies shall overhang into the public right-of-way or sidewalk, not including the portion of the building setback behind the existing lot line.
3. Roof Decks. If provided as individual dwelling unit open space, roof decks shall adhere to the following standards:
a. Roof decks shall have a minimum area of 50 square feet with a minimum dimension of 5 feet in one direction. This dimension excludes areas for permanent equipment and storage. b. The sides of the roof deck shall be finished with building material that matches the rest of the building.
c. Roof decks shall not overhang from the building façade.
4. Mailboxes.
a. Mailboxes shall be located within one block of the residential units.
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Chapter 4
4.1 Threshold and Applicability
4.2 Site Planing
4.3 Architecture and Materials
4.4 Landscape and Open Space
4.5 Mixed Use
LARGE SCALE
RESIDENTIAL
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45 CHAPTER 4
LARGE SCALE RESIDENTIAL
4.1 Threshold and Applicability
The supplemental standards in this section apply to residential developments with a density of 25 units per acre or more.
Typical typologies at this level of density include apartments, built either as a wrap around a parking structure or built atop a parking podium. These types of buildings are much larger than typical residential structures found in Aliso Viejo, which are generally single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes, and smaller-scale apartments up to three stories in height.
The design standards in this section for higher density residential projects are intended to supplement, and are in addition to, the overall design standards of the rest of this document. These standards have been calibrated to address design issues that arise with larger residential or mixed-use buildings.
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46 CHAPTER 4
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4.2 Site Planning
1. Scale. Larger structures shall utilize major modulations, and may utilize elevated pedestrian walkways to connect different wings of a building that are formed by major
modulations to provide ADA-compliant pedestrian access
between all residential units and shared amenities of
a development. For the purposes of this section, large
buildings are defined as structures containing 60 or more residential units.
2. Corner Elements. Large multifamily buildings and mixed- use buildings sited on a corner shall provide at least two of the following features:
a. Tower or dome element at least 5 feet in height
b. Recess or projection, at least 5 feet in depth, 20 feet in width, and at least as tall as wide
c. Diagonal/curved walls at corner, at least 25 feet in length
d. Entrance at corner
e. Color and material variation from the primary façade with an area of at least 25 feet by 25 feet.
f. Plaza or gathering area, with at least 1,000 square feet of paving.
3. Elevated Pedestrian Walkways. If provided, an elevated pedestrian walkway (or skybridge) connects two different buildings or different wings of the same building, and
shall adhere to the followings standards:
a. Width. The walkway shall have a minimum width of 5
feet and a maximum width of 8 feet.
b. Height. The minimum height clearance from the
ground to an elevated pedestrian walkway shall be 12
feet. The interior vertical clearance for each level of a pedestrian walkway shall be 8 feet.
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47 CHAPTER 4
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4.3 Architecture and Materials
1. Major Modulations. A major modulation in facade depth, extending from grade to roof, shall be provided along
facades greater than 150 feet in length. For such facades, a major modulation shall be provided for each 150 feet of building frontage. Major modulations shall be at least 10 feet deep and 25 feet in length.
2. Minor Modulations. A 5-foot change in facade depth no shorter than 15 feet in length and 10 feet in height shall be provided for every 50 feet of building frontage. Required minor modulations may be situated adjacent to, but not
within, a major modulation, and shall feature a different depth than the major modulation.
3. Stepbacks. As required in Table 15.18.030 of the AVMC, all minimum perimeter setbacks shall be increased one foot for every foot in height above 35 feet (except for setbacks from interior property lines).
4. Roofline Modulation. Large buildings shall also utilize at least one of the following techniques to modulate their rooflines, in addition to the standard roofline modulation listed in Section 3.4.
a. Reduced Floor Area. The uppermost floor features a
footprint up to 75 percent the size of the floor below. b. Unit Type. Use of loft-style units on the uppermost floor with ceilings at least 5 feet taller than the floor below. c. Unit Count. Provide up to 75 percent the number of units on the uppermost floor as compared to the floor below.
5. Blank Façades. A blank façade is a portion of a façade without a window, balcony, and/or doorways more than 30 feet in any direction. Features such as trellises, screens, modulations, material changes, and landscaping shall cover at least 50 percent of all blank façades.
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4.4 Landscape and Open Space
Landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of AVMC 15.62.060.
4.5 Mixed Use
1. Distribution of Uses.
a. A minimum of 50 percent of a mixed-use building’s commercial or office components shall be located on the ground floor.
b. Common residential open space shall not be publicly-accessible.
2. Entrances.
a. Entrances to upper floor uses shall be provided through a common entrance fronting a street. b. There shall be a ground-floor entrance to either a commercial, residential, open space, or parking use every 50 feet along the building’s street-facing frontages.
3. Building Design.
a. Service entries, loading areas, and trash areas associated with commercial uses shall not be immediately adjacent to residential uses.
b. The windows, doors, and other access points of commercial uses shall be oriented to not face residential uses within 50 feet.
4. Horizontal Mixed Use.
a. Commercial buildings shall face public streets and be sited either adjacent to or in front of the residential component of a horizontal mixed-use development. b. Residential uses shall be located at the rear or sides of the site. c. Parking for commercial uses shall be located at the center of the site, allowing the parking to provide a buffer from on-site residential uses and maximize shared parking opportunities between residential and commercial uses.
d. If provided, dedicated private residential parking areas shall be separated from public commercial parking with a dedicated entrance.
e. The commercial, residential, and open space areas of a horizontal mixed use project shall be connected via internal pathways.
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Aliso Viejo ODS Comments – Brandywine Homes
1.) Page 7 “ …at least 5% of base units… ” This would reflect the guidance that city council has provided for staff fall of 2025.
Not addressed. ODS standards apply to Housing Elements Sites and SB 35 projects, consistent with State law. Projects with 5% affordability would not fall under ODS.
2.) Page 9 2.1b. 120 feet is a long way from an intersection. Both OC and LA counties allow for a min of 65 ft from intersection controlled by traffic / engineering.
This area should also allow for development entries at a bulb or cult sac locations.
Changed to 100 feet.
3.) Page 11 1 c. Indicates 5 ft but does not require a length Specified that the full length shall be landscaped.
4.) Page 12 2b. A lof of space and on infill projects this is not always possible. 3ft? Not addressed. Kept 5 foot width for planters to allow for street trees.
5.) Page 12 2d. Could this also include perpendicular parking? Not addressed. Discussion of parking on residential lanes added to street type description, as simply stating parallel or perpendicular parking is permitted is not an actual standard.
6.) Page 13 3b. 3b. There should not be a prohibition to doors off alley conditions.
There are many infill sites where product can be designed where a site plan lends itself to mixed door and garage conditions off of an alley or street. Can share examples of product where this is used, (American Dreamer Units).
Not addressed. Residential doors + garages on the same shared street falls under the residential lane typology.
7.) Page 14 4a. Measurement should be from garage-to-garage face. If units have overhang / cantilever this needs to be factored. Also, with OCFA standards, this should be as narrow as 22 ft for just the lane itself.
Changed to 30 feet, garage-to-garage
8.) Page 14 4b. 25ft is excessive. Recommend the standard be a min of 5 ft.
Changed to 10 feet.
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9.) Page 14 4c. Trees should be plotted at the entry of the lanes. However, with utilities, building conflicts, and past HOA claims, trees within lanes are not the direction the city should impose.
Changed to require two trees to be provided at each entry.
10.) Page 15 5a. Measurement should be from garage-to-garage face. If units have overhang / cantilever this needs to be factored. Also, with OCFA standards, this should be as narrow as 22 ft for just the lane itself.
Changed to 30 feet, garage-to-garage
11.) Page 15 5b. This is a huge cost barrier for projects. If entry banding of 5 ft is provided, and the remainder of the court is asphalt this would be an alternative way of also upgrading within tolerance. Also allowing for colored stamped asphalt should be allowed in this standard.
Added stamped and colored asphalt as an option.
12.) Page 15 5c. Trees should be plotted at the entry of the courts. However, with utilities, building conflicts, and past HOA claims, trees within courts are not a direction the city should impose nor is achievable.
Changed to require two trees to be provided at each entry.
13.) Page 16 3. 5ft as a standard is wide. This should be 42” in line with ADA standards. With paseos between buildings, private open space, 5 ft makes the hard scape very intense vs utilizing soft scape.
Changed to 4 feet, consistent with other walkways.
14.) Page 17 2.7 This leaves this very open and undefined. “and other applicable plans and ordinances”
Not addressed. This is existing city text.
15.) Page 19 3.1 Good case study – would 15 Argonaut fall under 1 or 2? There is some grey area here however our understanding is that the project would fall into 1.
With Spanish elevations, the body color remains consistent, case study would show we don’t change the body color. Yet, we do have 2 color schemes.
Not addressed. Projects in the future would require different color schemes under a single style, or feature multiple architectural styles (each with its own color scheme) 271
16.) Page 21 2. Exposed rafter tails is not recommended at 50%. Not only is this a fire concern, but 50% has a financial impact. I would recommend 25% if there are any.
Changed to 25%
17.) Page 21 5. This is very prescriptive. With modern Spanish this is not implemented. Please refer to Plan 4 at 15 Argonaut. Elevation is very strong with no further detailing. The wording of “and” should be reviewed with requirements in this area.
Changed to feature a 6 inch recess.
18.) Page 22 2. Veranda / balcony? If we have 1 unit with 6ft depth and the rest at 5 ft, do we comply with the ODS? This is again the situation as presented for 15 Argonaut.
Changed. Verandas provided for at least 50 percent of units in building to count.
19.) Page 36 Entrances – this seemed to reflect for higher density product vs townhome (25DU) type product. Please advise.
Removed provision for entry per 50 feet.
20.) Page 37 Porches and Stoops – do we have to provide and if we do then these are requirements? Leave it open to how staff may impose these requirements.
Not addressed. All residential units require some form of entry treatment. Recesses, porches, stoops, overhangs, or forecourts. The type of treatment is up to the developer.
21.) Page 38 b. 2ft min. We have done 2 ft in many other cities with great success.
Changed to 2 feet.
22.) Page 39 3.4 1a. This is very difficult to achieve with low building heights. 15 Argonaut is in a zone that would allow only 35 ft height. We are using a waiver to get to less than 36. Would encourage eve articulation vs ridge light modulation. Maybe a min of 3 eve articulation over the front of each building front elevation? Changed to 2 foot modulation for 2 – 3 stories.
23.) Page 39 3.4 2. While this does not impact 15 Argonaut, 40% is a low number especially if a building is modern. Considering roof wells should be taken into account.
Changed to 75 percent.
24.) Page 41 3.6 1a. 4 in trim is heavy. Would say a min of 2 inch.
Changed to 3 inches.
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25.) Page 41 3.6 1b. 1inch in addition to the 2 inches of the wall plane is excessive.
Revised to indicate this applies when no trim is provided. This standard pertains to recessed windows.
26.) Page 41 3.6 1c. This is not clear. Brickmold is not clear description.
Revised for clarity.
27.) Page 41 3.6 1d. This is correct as these would not comply with T-24. Should this be removed as this is non code compliant?
This provision has been removed.
28.) Page 41 3.6 2a. Too prescriptive. Many times, the doorbell is well over 6 inches from the door. Within 36 inches of the door is reasonable.
Changed to 2 feet.
28.) Page 41 3.6 2b. Developers should not be required to install aWiFi-enabled video doorbells. This is added that there are homeowners that do not want this added to their home. This should not be a requirement.
Changed to simply state ‘viewport’
29) Page 42 3.7 1 Garage door should be off set at a min of 6inches. There are often times where elevations are off set due to the upper floors already creating relief.
Changed to 1 foot.
30.) Page 43 3.8 1a. 10 ft is large. Industry average is 5-7ft.
Changed to 60 square foot minimum size, smallest dimension changed to 6 feet.
31.) Page 43 3.8 2a 6 ft min depth is large recommend min at 5 ft. Our plan 1, 2, and 3 would not comply.
Revised to 50 feet. Balcony and roof deck size minimum size changed to 50 square feet.
32.) Page 43 3.8 4b This requirement is very problematic for the HOA. This should be removed. Homeowners and many HOAs have removed trash bins are they do not get maintained in the long run.
This provision has been deleted.
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Aliso Viejo ODS Comments – Meritage Homes
1. Page 13, Residential Alleys – this standard states that front doors are prohibited along residential alleys but does not clarify allowance of side entries facing private internal streets, or if front doors may face private internal streets with certain walkway setbacks incorporated. We are requesting more flexibility with this standard.
Added statement that front doors for units along a residential alley may be accessed via another elevation.
2. Page 16, Pedestrian Circulation – Standard 2.6 (3) requires pedestrian walkways to be at least 5 feet wide. A 5-foot sidewalk is exceptionally wide for site plans that are incorporating density bonus/affordable units and/or multi-family developments.
We are asking that this standard be revised to consider 3.5- or 4-foot sidewalks to provide more privacy from the unit front doors to public walkways. This standard also needs to provide for more flexibility for projects within High Fire Zones/special fuel modification zones.
Revised to 4 feet.
3. Page 17, Parks and Open Space – This standard needs to reference flexibility for landscaping in High Fire Zones/special fuel modification zones that have to comply with OCFA standards
Not addressed. Projects will still need to comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
4. Page 19, Color and Style – Under item 2 of this standard it states that residential develops with 41-80 single-family/duplex units shall adhere to at least two architectural styles, how did you come up with this specific range of units? Requiring multiple architectural styles for a development incorporating affordable housing comes at a great expense for the developer that then gets passed along to the buyer. The request is for one cohesive architectural style with two color schemes. This provides variety while still having a cohesive aesthetic. Does the City currently have any developments that incorporate both Spanish and Modern/Modern Farmhouse or Spanish and Tuscan? Please also consider that Aliso Viejo Associations such as AVCA and AV4 Liberty Association have to approve of developments and will request cohesive architecture and color schemes to adjacent existing development.
Revised range of units. Requirement for multiple architectural styles has increased to 51 – 100 single-family duplex units.
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5. Page 19, Architectural Styles – Under this standard, it states that architectural styles may not be mixed within a single building, this needs to be made consistent with the language under standard 3.1.
Language has been revised.
6. Page 25, Item 4 – Color requirements need more clarity.
Not addressed. Earth-tone is defined in this item.
7. Page 25, Item 5 – Please consider removing the requirement for recessed windows.
Revised requirement so that only 50% of windows shall be recessed.
8. Page 25, Item 6 – Please remove the requirement for casement windows, these are the most expensive windows and will add additional costs to the development and buyer.
Revised requirement one casement window per single-family/duplex unit is required.
9. Page 26 (all feature requirements) – Please consider revising these feature requirements to better reflect a range of housing markets. All of these features listed are considered more luxury development features and should not apply to attached developments or developments including an affordable housing component. Again, the additional expenses of these upscale features impact homebuyers, especially entry-level home buyers. These standards are so specific and seem to hinder future development instead of guiding City Planners.
Not addressed. Note that only 2 – 4 of these decorative elements is required per building, depending on the overall building size. Intent of standards is to ensure quality design relating to a specific architectural style.
10. Page 36, Massing (Item 3) – please revise offsets of façade or roof elevation to 1 foot or greater instead of 2 feet.
Massing standard revised to only apply to the façade, not the roof.
11. Page 37, Stoops (Item 3b) – please remove this requirement or provide for more flexibility.
Changed to 3 feet.
12. Page 37, Stoops (Item 3e) – please remove this requirement, the need for stairs is 275
driven by grade.
Removed.
13. Page 39, Roofline Modulation – What is the purpose of 3 feet for every 50 linear feet for roof height? It seems arbitrary as adding more height to the roof line will conflict with the City’s building height requirements.
Modulation changed to 2 feet per 50 linear feet.
14. Page 40, Four-Sided Architecture – This standard seems fine for multi-family developments, but this will be hard to comply with for detached residential developments. Instead, please consider enhanced elevations for corner lots for detached developments.
Not addressed. This standard included to ensure materials and colors wrap around a building, and that houses are not dressed like a movie set (e.g. an elaborate front side and a barren back side)
15. Page 41, Door Elements – The requirement for doorbells to be provided within 6 inches of the front door is so specific. Please revise to add more flexibility here
Changed to 2 feet.
16. Page 42, Recess – garage doors being set back 2 feet from the rest of the façade is considered more of a luxury requirement and will impact multi-family site planning on tighter sites with an affordable component. Please consider a more flexible range here (setback of 5 inches to 2 feet).
Recess changed to 6 – 18 inches.
17. Page 42, Treatments – Again, some of these feature are so specific and considered luxury, please consider revising to better accommodate a range of development/affordability types.
Number of required elements changed to two. It is also noted that the material of a residential lane and lane court can be used to satisfy the driveway requirement.
18. Page 43, Balconies – Balcony dimensions are very specific, the standards should be revised to allow for more flexibility based on number of units, architectural style(s), site planning, and affordability range.
Balcony dimensions have been changed to 50 square feet and 5 feet in any one direction.
276
Objective Design Standards
City Council Hearing
June 03, 2026
277
Purpose of
Objective Design
Standards (ODS)
• Establish clear, measurable, and enforceable
design standards
• Ensure compliance with State housing laws
• Replace subjective guidelines with objective
criteria
• Provide predictability for applicants and staff
• Maintain and enhance community character
2 278
Background
• REAP 2.0 Funded Task
• Funds must be fully expended by June 30,
2026.
• PlaceWorks brought on to support:
• Key Zoning Code Amendments
• ODS Update for Multi-Family/Mixed-Use Housing
• Outreach
• Report & Presentation
3 279
Zoning Code Updates & Applicability
Applicability
New residential developments with:
• ≥20% of base units affordable to low-
income households on Housing
Element sites
• ≥10% of base units affordable to low-
income households
• Substantial renovations or structural
alterations, defined as:
• Demolition of 50% or more of exterior
walls or roof
Zoning Code Updates
• Revised Sections 15.62.010 and
15.62.040
• References readers to the
stand-alone ODS for qualifying
projects
4 280
Objective Design
Standards
•Stand-alone document
•Includes checklist
•Maintains existing structure of final
three sections Chapter 15.62:
• Site Planning (subsection 110)
• Architecture (subsection 120)
• Large-Scale Residential (subsection 130)
5 281
Outreach
•Developer roundtable held May
14, 2026
•Feedback regarding entries,
paving materials, architectural
detailing, and landscaping
received and incorporated into
ODS.
6 282
Site Planning
283
Street Types
8 284
9 Neighborhood Entries
Residential Drives
Street Types
Residential Alleys
285
10 Residential Lanes Lane Courts
286
Architecture
287
Architectural Styles
Spanish Revival
Tuscan
Modern Farmhouse
Modern
12 •Features required elements for each
style that relate to the universal
components of a building.
• Roofs
• Walls
• Doors
• Windows
•Features 15 – 18 optional decorative
features for each style.
•Larger multifamily buildings require
more decorative elements than single-
family homes.
288
Spanish Revival
13 289
Tuscan
14 290
Modern Farmhouse
15 291
Modern
16 292
Frontages
Recesses
Porches
Stoops
Overhangs
Forecourts
17 293
Large Scale Residential
294
Applicability
Projects with a density of 25
units/acre or greater.
19 •Additional standards for:
• Corner Elements
• Elevated Pedestrian Walkways
295
Applicability
Projects with a density of 25
units/acre or greater.
20 •Additional standards for:
• Facade Modulations
• Roofline Modulations
296
Applicability
Projects with a density of 25
units/acre or greater.
21 •Additional standards for:
• Blank Facades
• Mixed-Use Development
297
Recommendation
22 • Find that Zoning Code Amendment ZA-2026-01004 is
exempt from the provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section
15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines;
• Introduce First Reading of an Ordinance entitled: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE ALISO VIEJO
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH OBJECTIVE DESIGN
STANDARDS FOR QUALIFYING HOUSING PROJECTS IN
THE CITY AND DETERMINING THE ACTION TO BE EXEMPT
FROM CEQA; and
• Adopt a Resolution approving the Objective Design
Standards Manual to establish clear and measurable
criteria for qualifying residential projects.
298
Questions and Discussion
299
City of Aliso Viejo
AGENDA ITEM
DATE: June 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Scott Smith, City Attorney
Maria Kendig, Director of Government Services/City Clerk
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF TELECONFERENCING DISRUPTION POLICY AND
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PLAN IN
COMPLIANCE WITH SENATE BILL 707 (SB707)
Recommended Actions:
1. That the City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo (“City”) adopt Resolution No. 2026- XX, a new City Council policy addressing a disruption of telephonic or internet service during City Council meetings , in compliance with Senate Bill 707 and Government Code Sections 54953.9 and 54953.10; and
2. Approve the SB 707 Community Outreach and Public Engagement Plan to encourage participation by historically underrepresented and underserved communities.
Summary:
In accordance with Senate Bill 707, the City has prepared and is implementing a revised Public Participation Policy, Community Outreach Plan, and Technology Disruption Policy to ensure compliance wit h statutory public meeting accessibility and participation requirements.
Fiscal Impact:
Implementation of SB 707 may require ongoing expenditures related to remote meeting software subscriptions, audiovisual technology, website accessibility enhancements , translation services, and related administrative support.
Existing technology infrastructure established during prior remote meeting operations substantially reduces anticipated implementation costs. Any future budgetary impacts associated with technolo gy upgrades or expanded services will be incorporated into future budget requests as necessary.
300
Background:
California Senate Bill 707 (SB 707) amended the Ralph M. Brown Act (Gov. Code §§ 54950 et seq.) to modernize teleconferencing and accessibility requirements for public meetings, including provisions governing remote public participation.
SB 707 applies to all legislative bodies subject to the Brown Act; however, certain enhanced requirements apply specifically to “eligible legislative bodies,” as defined by the statute. The Aliso Viejo City Council qualifies as an “eligible legislative body” because it is the governing body of a city with a population exceeding 30,000 residents. (Gov. Code § 54953.4(e)(2)). The City’s boards, commissions, and committees do not fall within this definition.
Effective July 1, 2026, SB 707 requires eligible legislative bodies to provide either a two- way audiovisual platform or a two -way telephonic service that allows members of the public to remotely participate in City Council meetings.
In addition, on or before July 1, 2026, the City must adopt a formal policy establishing procedures for recessing and reconvening meetings in the event of a technological disruption, as well as outlining the efforts the legislative bo dy will undertake to restore remote access services.
Additional provisions of SB 707 that become operative on July 1, 2026, include requirements to:
• Provide two -way remote public participation through telephone and/or internet - based audiovisual platforms;
• Adopt a formal policy addressing disruptions to remote access services during meetings;
• Expand and enhance opportunities for public participation; • Increase outreach efforts to encourage participation from underserved and historically underrepresented communities;
• Enhance language accessibility and public notice procedures; and • Maintain procedures to ensure continuity of meetings in the event of technological failures.
The City of Aliso Viejo previously implemented remote participation procedures during the COVID-19 emergency pursuant to temporary Brown Act teleconferencing provisions.
Those procedures proved effective in increasing public accessibility and participation and provide the operational foundation for the City’s proposed SB 707 compliance framework. 301
Discussion:
SB 707 Compliance Requirements
To comply with SB 707, staff recommends adoption of one new City Council polic y, revision of another and implementation of a Community Outreach and Public Engagement Plan.
The proposed policies are intended to ensure that the City remains compliant with state law while continuing to provide accessible, orderly, and transparent public meetings.
Proposed Technology Disruption Policy
As described in the policy, if service cannot be restored after at l east one hour, the City Council could choose to:
1. by roll call vote, make a finding that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access;
2. adjourn the meeting; or
3. extend the recess to allow staff more ti me to make a good -faith effort to restore remote access services.
These requirements do not apply to certain specified types of meetings, including meetings held offsite or for inspection purposes, or in emergency situations. The attached Policy lists those exemptions.
The policy is modeled after best practices adopted by other California agencies and incorporates statutory requirements contained within Government Code Sections 54953.9 and 54953.10.
Remote Participation Platform
Staff recommends continuing use of webinar -style remote meeting technology substantially similar to the City’s prior COVID -era meeting procedures. The remote participation format will include:
Livestream access through the City website;
Two-way audiovisual participation;
“Raise Hand” functionality for public comments;
Written public comment submission options; and
Public meeting access instructions published directly on meeting agendas.
The following language, modeled after prior City COVID -era agenda notices, will be incorporated into future agendas and public notices as appropriate:
“Members of the public may access the meeting live through the City’s website and remote participation platform. Public comments may be submitted in advance by 302
email or voicemail or provided live through the remote participation platform using the “Raise Hand” feature as identified on the meeting agenda.”
Community Outreach and Public Engagement Plan
SB 707 requires agencies to conduct outreach designed to encourage participation from historically underserved and underrepresented communities.
The proposed outreach plan includes the following measures:
Posting meeting participation instructions prominently on the City’s website; Utilizing social media and digital communication platforms t o promote meeting participation opportunities;
Coordinating outreach through community organizations, schools, homeowner associations, and local service providers;
Including public participation information in City newsletters and utility or service mailings where feasible;
Providing clear instructions regarding remote participation options; and Enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities through captioning and ADA accommodations.
Staff will continue evaluating additional outreach methods and technology enhancements as implementation of SB 707 evolves statewide.
Attachments:
1. Proposed Resolution
2. Proposed Policy– City Council Meeting Technology Disruption
3. SB 707 Community Outreach and Public Engagement Plan
303
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A NEW CITY
COUNCIL POLICY ADDRESSING A DISRUPTION OF
TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET SERVICE DURING A CITY
COUNCIL MEETING
WHEREAS, the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et seq .) establishes requirements for open and public meetings of local legislative bodies; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 707 (SB 707, 2025) amended the Brown Act to update teleconferencing and accessibility requ irements, including provisions related to remote participation in public meetings; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 54953.4(b)(1)(A) requires the City Council, on or before July 1, 2026, to adopt at a noticed public meeting in open session a policy addressing disruption of telephonic or internet service during meetings conducted with remote participation; and
WHEREAS, the required policy must address procedures for recessing and reconvening a meeting in the event of a disruption and the efforts the legislative body will make to attempt to restore service; and
WHEREAS, if telephonic or internet service has not been restored upon reconvening, the legislative body must make findings by roll call vote that good faith efforts to restore service have been made and that continuing the meeting is appropriate despite the disruption to remote public access; and
WHEREAS, adoption of a technology disruption policy is required to ensure compliance with state law and to promote transparency and continuity of public meetings; and
WHEREAS, the proposed City Council policy addressing disruption of telephonic or internet service during City Council meetings has been prepared in a ccordance with Government Code Section 54953.4 and is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALISO VIEJO AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council hereby finds and determines that all of the recitals set forth above are true and correct. The above recitals are hereby incorpor ated as substantive findings of this Resolution.
Section 2. The City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo adopts the City Council Policy entitled “Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During Meetings,” in the form Attachment 1
304
Resolution No. 2026-XX
presented, with such minor modifica tions as may be required or approved by the City Attorney, a copy of which shall be kept on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
Section 3. The Mayor of the City of Aliso Viejo is hereby authorized to affix his/her signature to this Resolution signifying its approval and adoption by the City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this __ day of June, 2026.
_______________________________
Max Duncan,
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Scott C. Smith,
City Attorney
CERTIFICATION OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, MARIA KENDIG, City Clerk of the City of Aliso Viejo, California, do hereby attest to and certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2026-XXto be the original resolution duly passed and adopted by the City Council at their regular meeting held on the __ day of June, 2026, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers:
NOES: Councilmembers:
ABSTAIN Councilmember(s)
Date: _______________________________ Maria Kendig,
City Clerk
305
City of Aliso Viejo
COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
DISRUPTION OF TELEPHONIC OR
INTERNET SERVICE DURING MEETINGS
POLICY NO.
400-19
EFF. DATE
07/01/2026
PAGE
1 of 5
BACKGROUND
Senate Bill 707 (2025) amended the Brown Act to require eligible legislative bodies to adopt, on or before July 1, 2026, a policy addressing how the agency will respond to disruptions in telephonic or internet service that prevent members of the public from participating remotely.
Given that the City has a population of over 30,000, the City qualifies as an eligible legislative body and must adopt such policy.
PURPOSE
This Policy establishes procedures for responding to a disruption in the telephonic or internet services that provide two-way remote public access to meetings of the Council of the City as required by the Brown Act (Government Code section 54953.4). The policy ensures transparency, public participation, and the continuation of meetings during technological disruptions.
POLICY
1. Definitions
“Service Disruption” means any failure, outage, or other interruption to the agency’s remote access services that prevents members of the public from participating in a City Council meeting through the remote access service.
“Disrupting” means engaging in behavior during a meeting of the City Council that actually disrupts, disturbs, impedes, or renders infeasible the orderly conduct of the meeting and includes, but is not limited to one of the following:
a. A failure to comply with reasonable and lawful regulations adopted by the Council of the City
b. Engaging in behavior that constitutes use of force or a true threat of force. “Remote access services” means the two-way telephonic service and/or two-way audiovisual platform used to provide real-time remote public attendance and observation of meetings.
Attachment 2
306
City of Aliso Viejo
COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
DISRUPTION OF TELEPHONIC OR
INTERNET SERVICE DURING MEETINGS
POLICY NO.
400-19
EFF. DATE
07/01/2026
PAGE
2 of 5
“Two-way audiovisual platform” means an online platform that provides participants with the ability to participate in a meeting via both an interactive video conference and a two-way telephonic service.
“Two-way telephonic service” means a telephone service that does not require internet access and allows participants to dial a telephone number to listen and verbally participate. “True threat of force” means a threat that has sufficient indicia of intent and seriousness, that a reasonable observer would perceive it to be an actual threat to use force by the person making the threat.
2. Applicability
This policy applies to all open and public meetings of the City Council at which remote public participation is required under the Brown Act. Consistent with the Brown Act, this policy shall not apply to the following meetings:
a. Meetings held to attend a judicial or administrative proceeding to which the City is a party.
b. Meetings held to inspect real or personal property provided that the topic of the meeting is limited to items directly related to the real or personal property. c. Meetings held to meet with elected or appointed officials of the United States or the State of California, solely to discuss a legislative or regulatory issue affecting the City and over which the federal or state officials have jurisdiction. d. Meetings held to meet in or nearby a facility owned by the City, provided that the topic of the meeting is limited to items directly related to the facility. e. Meetings held in an emergency situation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.5.
3. Remote Public Access Generally
When remote public access is required under the Brown Act, the City Council shall provide members of the public with an opportunity to attend and participate in the meeting using a 307
City of Aliso Viejo
COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
DISRUPTION OF TELEPHONIC OR
INTERNET SERVICE DURING MEETINGS
POLICY NO.
400-19
EFF. DATE
07/01/2026
PAGE
3 of 5
two-way audiovisual platform or a two-way telephonic service, provided that adequate telephonic or internet service is operational at the meeting location.
If adequate telephonic or internet service is not operational at the meeting location, the City Council shall not be required to provide remote access. If adequate telephonic or internet service is operational for only a portion of the meeting, the City Council shall provide remote access during that portion of the meeting.
If a two-way audiovisual platform is used, the City Council shall:
a. Publicly post and provide a call-in option as well; and
b. Activate any automatic captioning function that is available in the audiovisual platform.
If a two-way audiovisual platform is not provided, the City Council shall provide a two-way telephonic service. Pursuant to Government Code section 54983, live webcasting may be required in addition to the telephonic service, if any alternative teleconferencing methods are utilized by the City Council.
Members of the public participating remotely shall be provided the same opportunity to provide public comment as members of the public attending in person, including the same time allotment.
4. Response to Service Disruption
If the Mayor or Clerk becomes aware of a service disruption:
a. The Mayor or Clerk shall immediately announce the service disruption to the public. b. The Mayor shall call for a recess of the open session and may convene the legislative body in an authorized closed session, consistent with the Brown Act. The recess shall last for one hour or until service is restored, whichever is earlier. c. During the recess, City staff shall make a good faith effort to diagnose and restore the disrupted service.
308
City of Aliso Viejo
COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
DISRUPTION OF TELEPHONIC OR
INTERNET SERVICE DURING MEETINGS
POLICY NO.
400-19
EFF. DATE
07/01/2026
PAGE
4 of 5
5. Reconvening the Open Session
After the expiration of the hour, if service has not been restored, the Mayor or Clerk shall report on the status of staff’s efforts to restore remote access services, and the City Council may reconvene to:
a. Adjourn the meeting;
b. Extend the recess to allow staff more time to make a good faith effort to restore remote access services; or
c. Continue the open session portion of the meeting by adopting, by roll call vote, the following or a substantially similar finding:
“The City has made good faith efforts to restore telephonic or internet service in accordance with its adopted policy, and the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the public interest in remote public access.” Upon adoption of the finding, the City Council may continue the open session portion of the meeting despite the fact that remote access services have not been restored.
6. Recordkeeping
The Clerk shall enter a brief statement into the meeting minutes, including:
a. The nature and time of the service disruption;
b. The time the meeting was reconvened (if applicable); c. Any finding adopted pursuant to Section 7.
7. Response to Members of the Public Disrupting a Meeting If the Mayor or Clerk becomes aware of a member of the public who is attending the meeting through remote access services and is disrupting the meeting or otherwise preventing other members of the public from attending or observing the meeting remotely or in-person:
309
City of Aliso Viejo
COUNCIL POLICY
SUBJECT
DISRUPTION OF TELEPHONIC OR
INTERNET SERVICE DURING MEETINGS
POLICY NO.
400-19
EFF. DATE
07/01/2026
PAGE
5 of 5
a. The Mayor or Clerk shall warn the person who is participating through remote access services that he or she is disrupting the meeting and his or her failure to cease that behavior may result in his or her removal.
b. If the person to whom the Mayor gave the above warning persists in disrupting the meeting, the Mayor shall order staff to:
i. mute or otherwise limit the individual’s ability to disrupt the meeting, while allowing the individual to continue to observe and attend the meeting; or ii. remove the individual from the meeting if paragraph (a) does not address the disrupting behavior or is not available using the remote access service.
8. Review and Updates
This policy may be amended by the City Council at a noticed public meeting in open session and may not be placed on the consent calendar.
310
CITY OF ALISO VIEJO
SB707: Community Outreach and
Public Engagement Plan
SB 707 requires agencies to conduct outreach designed to encourage participation from historically underserved and underrepresented communities.
The proposed outreach plan includes the following measures:
Posting meeting participation instructions prominently on the City’s website;
Utilizing social media and digital communication platforms to promote meeting participation opportunities;
Coordinating outreach th rough community organizations, schools, homeowner associations, and local service providers;
Including public participation information in City newsletters and utility or service mailings where feasible;
Providing clear instructions regarding remote participation options; and Enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities through captioning and ADA accommodations.
Staff will continue evaluating additional outreach methods and technology enhancements as implementation of SB 707 evolves statewide.
Attachment 3
311
Adoption of Teleconferencing Disruption Policy
& Community Outreach Plan (SB 707)
June 3, 2026
City Council Meeting
312
Summary
•SB 707 updates Brown Act teleconferencing requirements •Requires enhanced remote public participation
•Requires disruption response procedures
•Requires expanded outreach to underserved communities
•City must comply by July 1, 2026
2 313
Key Requirements
•By July 1, 2026, City must:
• Provide two-way audiovisual or telephonic participation • Adopt disruption and reconvening policy
• Ensure public access and participation options
• Expand outreach to underserved communities
• Enhance language accessibility
3 314
Proposed Disruption Policy
•If remote service fails and cannot be restored within
1 hour , Council may:
• Continue meeting (by roll call finding public interest outweighs disruption)
• Adjourn the meeting
• Extend recess for restoration efforts
4 315
Remote Participation Format
•Continues webinar-style system similar to COVID-era
procedures:
• Live streaming via City website
• Two-way audio/visual participation
• “Raise Hand” public comment feature
• Public comment options
• Instructions included on agendas
5 316
Community Outreach Plan
•Outreach will include:
• Website visibility improvements
• Social media engagement
• Reach out to schools, HOAs, and local community groups • Clear participation instructions on web and agenda
• ADA accessibility and captioning support
6 317
Staff Recommendation:
1. Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-XX
2. Approval of SB 707 Outreach and Engagement Plan
Approval will ensure compliance, continuity of meetings, and expanded public access. 7 318
City of Aliso Viejo
AGENDA ITEM
DATE: June 3, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Ann Eifert, Director of Financial Services
SUBJECT: PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 Recommended Actions:
1. Adopt a Resolution adopting the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27; and
2. Adopt a Resolution approving updated City Salary Schedules to include cost-of-living adjustments of 3.2% and the addition of Principal Civil Engineer and Principal Planner job classifications, effective July 1, 2026; and
3. Adopt a Resolution setting the annual appropriations limit for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Fiscal Impact:
The proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 budget includes appropriations for programs and projects necessary to provide essential services to the community . General Fund resources are estimated to total $30.1 million. Staff is proposing a balanced General Fund operating budget totaling approximately $29.6 million and $ 0.2 million for the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), for a total appropriation of $29.9 million.
A General Fund surplus of approximately $0.2 million is projected, resulting in an increase to fund balance of 0.5% to $45.4 million and represents 153% of the FY 2026-27 operating budget.
Proposed
Budget
Resources 30,072,225$
Appropriations (29,611,101)
Operating Surplus (Deficit) 461,124$
Capital Improvement (247,500)
Estimated Year-End 213,624$
Estimated Beginning Fund Balance 45,179,773$
Estimated Year-End Fund Balance 45,393,397$
Estimated Change in Fund Balance 213,624$
% Change in Fund Balance 0.5%
319
In addition to the General Fund, the City uses “Special Revenue Funds” to fund various City expenditures. Special Revenue Funds are typically restricted funds , such as Gas Tax, SB 1, Measure M, Federal Grants, and Other Grants. These funds can only be used for specific purposes. Revenue and appropriations for all Special Revenue Funds for FY 2026-27 are approximately $8.9 million and $10.2 million, respectively.
At the end of FY 2026-27 operations, the estimated fund balance for all City funds will be approximately $51.5 million.
Background:
On May 6, 2026, a City Council study session was held to discuss the FY 2026-27 draft budget. The study session provided the Council with revenue and expenditure estimates for the General Fund and highlighted costs associated with salary and benefits , which includes a 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment for employees, insurance premium increases, funding for the election, economic development initiatives, a master fee and development impact fee study, General Plan evacuation assessment work, and public safety contract costs.
Discussion:
General Fund Revenues
Revenue forecasts for FY 2026-27 are estimated to total $30.1 million, essentially flat from the current fiscal year, but approximately 6.2% lower than FY 2024 -25, which included one-time sources from unrealized gains in the City’s investment portfolio and other financing sources, as well as strong operating results at the Aliso Viejo Center. The FY 2026-27 revenue estimates reflect only modest year-over-year increases in sales tax, property tax, and franchise fees. The increases are expected to offset decreases in recreation and the Aliso Viejo Center. Table 1 below provides a summary of General Fund resources compared to the current year’s budget and FY 2024-25 actuals.
Table 1: General Fund Resources
General Fund
Resources
FY 2024-25
Actuals
FY 2025-26
Amended
Budget
FY 2026-27
Proposed
Budget
YOY
Change
Property Tax 10,287,203$ 10,319,100$ 10,534,000$ 2.1% Sales Tax 11,154,921 11,220,000 11,400,000 1.6% TOT 1,699,738 1,600,000 1,600,000 0.0%
Franchise Fees 1,738,860 1,636,000 1,727,000 5.6% Recreation 1,525,242 1,560,000 1,514,000 -2.9% Building & Planning 1,353,812 1,335,000 1,350,000 1.1% Fines & Forfeitures 293,289 255,000 235,000 -7.8%
Investment Earnings 2,138,091 1,100,000 1,100,000 0.0% Other/Transfers-In 1,870,143 845,000 612,225 -27.5% Total Resources 32,061,299$ 29,870,100$ 30,072,225$ 0.7% 320
The City receives 84% of its General Fund revenue from taxes. This includes property tax, sales tax, transient occupancy tax (TOT), and franchise fees . Property tax is estimated at $10.5 million and is projected to increase approximately 2%, primarily from inflationary adjustments allowable under Proposition 13. Sales tax is conservatively estimated at $11.4 million, an increase of $0.2 million or 1.6% from the current year as economic uncertainty remains high due to inflation, overseas conflicts, interest rates, and other economic policies. TOT remains consistent year after year at approximately $1.6 million. The City has two hotels and a ny significant growth is not anticipated. Franchise fees from the City’s utilities and waste hauler are expected to increase slightly, however, these increases are offset by decreases in cable fees as consumers move toward streaming services and away from traditional cable television.
Other revenue sources include recreation fees, building and planning, traffic and parking fines, investments earnings, and net income from the Aliso Viejo Center. Recreation fees total approximately $1. 5 million and include facility rentals at the Ranch , classes, and camps. The current year saw a decline in larger events hosted by non-residents, such as weddings, and FY 2026-27 estimates continue that trend with a d ecline in demand for large events. Building and planning fees are estimated to remain flat from the current year at $1.4 million and do not include any anticipated large development projects as the timing remains uncertain. Investment income is also conservatively estimated at $1.1 million as interest rate cuts in FY 2026 -27 remain a possibility. Transfers and other revenue primarily include a transfer from the Aliso Viejo Center, which is projecting a decrease of approximately $0.1 million in net income to $0.3 million.
General Fund Appropriations
The General Fund operating budget totals $29.6 million and includes $0.3 million in transfers to the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center Fund to bridge the operating gap at that facility.
The operating budget includes salaries and benefits for 29 full-time positions, five elected officials, and part-time positions primarily in Recreation and Community Services. Salary and benefit expenses include merit-based increases and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in accordance with the Classification and Compensation Plan approved by Council in 2018 , which is based on the Annual Consumer Price Index, Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CPI-W) of 3.2%. The estimated cost of the COLA is $0.1 million.
In addition, appropriations include CalPERS pension costs of $0.5 million and $0.2 million in unfunded pension liabilit y. As of the most recent CalPERS actuarial valuation, the City’s accrued liability’s funded ratio is above the required funding level of 80% , as established by Council policy in 2017.
The FY 2026-27 budget provides the necessary funding to continue essential services throughout the commun ity. The operating budget reflects an increase of approximately
5.0%, or $1.5 million compared to the FY 2025-26 amended budget. The year-over-year increase is primarily a result of the following:
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Public Safety – FY 2026-27 appropriations for law enforcement services with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) is $0.7 million higher than the current fiscal year, which includes funding for one motor officer and one Emergency Operations Coordinator position held vacant in FY 2025-26. Public Works – Increases of $0.2 million include additional street maintenance funding as required by the recently updated maintenance of effort (MOE) and the City’s share of the County’s stormwater program.
Administration & Support – The increase of approximately $0.4 million for Administration and Support is primarily a result of increases to salaries and benefits, recently filled positions, $57,000 for the November 2026 election, and an increase of approximately $80,000 for the City’s insurance premiums.
Table 2 summarizes the General Fund appropriations compared to the current year’s budget and FY 2024-25 actuals.
Table 2: General Fund Appropriations
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Other General Fund obligations include funding for capital improvement projects totaling $0.2 million for FY 2026-27. General Fund improvements include the following projects:
Vista Park - Replacement of lighting, trellis, and playground $ 47,500 resurfacing
Aquatic Center – Replacement of the recreation pool $120,000 plaster and lighting management system
Aliso Viejo Center – Replacement of lighting management system $ 60,000 Dairy Fork/Wood Canyon Wetlands $ 20,000
Total - $247,500
General Fund
Expenditures
FY 24-25
Actuals
FY 25-26
Amended
Budget
FY 26-27
Proposed
Budget
YOY
Change
Admin & Support 4,235,385$ 4,819,209$ 5,195,887$ 8%
Community Services 2,744,808 3,021,207 3,226,059 7%
Community & Econ Dev. 4,785,189 5,373,898 5,403,575 1% Public Works 1,668,271 2,022,627 2,184,835 8%
Public Safety 10,462,135 11,669,417 12,372,230 6%
City Hall 195,732 283,305 271,315 -4%
Debt Service 655,369 657,450 656,450 0%
Transfers/Other 529,411 284,450 300,750 6%
Total Operating 25,276,300$ 28,131,563$ 29,611,101$ 5% Capital Improvement 224,521 1,001,000 247,500 -75%
Total 25,500,821$ 29,132,563$ 29,858,601$ 2%
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The CIP with funding from special revenues total $4.1 million and include the following projects:
Accessible pedestrian signals (CDBG) - $ 237,203
Street Improvement Slurry Seal Projects (Measure M) $1,910,000 Columbia Loop Street Rehabilitation (SB1) $1,105,000
Construction of Pump Track (Park Fees) $ 824,802
Total - $4,077,005
Special Revenue Funds
Special Revenue Funds are expended in compliance with their funding stipulations; however, it is common to accumulate Special Revenue Funds for multiple years to fund larger City projects.
Road funds consist of Traffic Congestion Relief , Gas Taxes, Measure M and SB1-Road Maintenance Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. These funds are restricted and may only be utilized for the maintenance and improvement of street and traffic projects.
Gas Tax resources and expenditure s are estimated at $ 1.6 million and $1.4 million , respectively. Gas Tax funds are appropriated for street maintenance, street lighting, signal maintenance, and street sweeping.
Measure M revenues and expenditures are projected at $1.1 million and $ 2.0 million, respectively. Measure M funds are used for street capital projects and the Senior Mobility Program (SMP). Measure M projects include the FY 2026-27 slurry seal project as well as the FY 2025-26 slurry seal, which was delayed in the current year, totaling $1.9 million.
The SMP, which provides transportation services for our City’s seniors , is estimated at $57,885.
SB1-RMRA revenue totals $1.5 million and $ 1.1 million is included in the CIP for the Columbia Loop street rehabilitation project.
Public safety grants include the Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Funds (SLESF) for frontline local public safety programs and equipment and expected to total approximately $0.2 million in revenue and expenses. These funds are used to offset contractual costs with the OCSD for various police equipment, including the replacement of a police motorcycle in FY 2026-27.
Air Quality Management District (AQMD) revenue is approximately $0.1 million with no budgeted projects or expenditures anticipated in FY 2026-27.
Integrated Waste Management funds are used to facilitate recycling and other waste reduction initiatives. Remaining grant funds of $0.1 million are expected to be spent in FY 2026-27 to implement SB1383 compliance regarding organic waste recycling. 323
Other Grants for FY 2026-27 total $0.1 million and include the Permanent Local Housing Allocation grant, which provides funding to maintain the City’s three affordable housing units, costs associated with the Orange County Sheriff’s Behavior Health Bureau, and supportive and case management services.
The Technology Grant is provided from public, educational, and government access (PEG) fees received through cable franchises and is estimated at $0.1 million. Expenses include funds for public programming, such as Council meetings and SportsZone.
The Federal Grants budget totals $ 0.3 million and provides funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) . Expenditures include the installation of accessible pedestrian signals, public service activities, fair housing services, and grant administration.
FY 2026 -27 also includes $0.8 million in development impact park -in-lieu fees for the construction of a pump track. These fees are expected to be collected in the current fiscal year and are included in the FY 2026-27 as directed by Council on March 18, 2026.
Management services for the Aliso Viejo Center and the Aquatic Center are prov ided by two management companies. Aliso Viejo Center revenues total approximately $2.8 million and expenses total $2.5 million, resulting in a net transfer of $0.3 million to the General Fund. The Aquatic Center revenues are estimated at $0.8 million, with expenditures totaling $1.1 million. The City’s Gene ral Fund will subsidize the operating deficit with a transfer to the Aquatic Fund in the amount of $0. 3 million. Table 3 summarizes the resources and expenditure budget for the City’s special revenue funds.
Table 3: Special Revenue Funds
Fund
Est. Beginning
Balance
FY 2026-27
Proposed
Resources
FY 2026-27
Proposed
Budget
Est. Year-End
Balance
Traffic Congestion Relief 81,330$ 3,800$ -$ 85,130$ Gas Tax 1,343,765 1,570,500 1,358,270 1,555,995 Measure M 1,724,922 1,070,500 1,967,885 827,537 SB1 781,210 1,486,500 1,105,000 1,162,710 Public Safety Grants 396,602 218,000 242,255 372,347
AQMD 289,700 63,500 - 353,200
Integrated Waste Mgmt 6,802 14,000 108,000 (87,198)
Other Grants 46,438 140,946 137,946 49,438
Technology Grant 368,590 72,500 121,545 319,545
Development Impact 2,416,429 - 824,802 1,591,627
Federal Grants (87,027) 337,619 337,619 (87,027)
Aliso Viejo Center1
- 2,828,330 2,828,330 -
Aquatic Center2 - 1,123,750 1,123,750 -
Total 7,368,762 8,929,945$ 10,155,402$ 6,143,305$ 324
Salary Schedule
In 2018, the City Council adopted a resolution approving revisions to the City’s classification and compensation plan. The Plan recommended that Council consider annual cost -of-living adjustments based on the Annual Consumer Price Index, Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Los Angeles -Long Beach-Anaheim (CPI-W). The 2025 annual CPI -W is 3.2% and the estimated impact to the FY 2026 -27 budg et is approximately $0.1 million for FY 2026-27.
Staff is also proposing two changes to the salary schedule : 1) the addition of job classification Principal Civil Engineer and 2) the retitling o f the classification Senior Planner 1 to Principal Planner. The proposed addition of the Principal Civil Engineer classification (attachment 5) is recommended to reflect the increasing scope and complexity of the position in comparison to the existing classification of Associate Engineer. The salary range for Principal Civil Engineer is in line with salary ranges of similar cities. The Principal Planner classification (attachment 6) is being introduced to replace the Senior Planner 1 title to better align with industry standards and norms. No changes in the salary range is being requested to the Principal Planner classification.
These proposed classification changes reflect revisions to the City’s list of job classifications only. Staff is not proposing any increases to staffing levels above the current 29 full-time positions or part-time budget.
Attachment 4 provides the proposed salary schedule effective July 1, 2026, if approved by Council.
Appropriations Limit (GANN)
Pursuant to Article XIIIB of the California Constitution, the City must compute an annual appropriations limit (known as the Gann Limit), which places a ceiling on the total amount of tax revenues the City can appropriate annually. The limit is adjusted each year using the following facto rs: 1) the percentage change in California Per Capita Income, or the change in the City’s Assessed Valuation due to new non -residential construction, whichever is greater; and 2) the percentage change in the Citywide, or Countywide population, whichever is greater. As required by Government Code Section 7910, the City Council is being asked to formally adopt by resolution the Appropriations Limit for FY 2026-27.
The California per capita personal income percentage change as provided by the Department of Finance is 4.95% for FY 2026 -27. The City’s percentage change in the local assessment roll from the preceding year due to the addition of local non-residential new construction is 0.46%. The estimated population change for the City is -0.94% and the County is -0.37%.
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the percentage change in the County population and the percentage change in the California per capita personal income from the preceding year for use in the adjustment of the Appropriations Limit for FY 2026-27. The appropriations limit for FY 2026-27 is $65,082,674 and the bu dget 325
subject to the limit is $ 22,914,727; therefore, the City is in compliance with Government Code requirements.
Attachments:
1. FY 2026-27 Budget Resolution
2. FY 2026-27 Proposed Budget
3. Salary Schedule Resolution
4. Proposed Salary Schedule
5. Principal Civil Engineer Job Classification Description
6. Principal Planner Job Classification Description
7. Resolution Adopting the Appropriations Limit for FY 2026-27
8. Appropriations Limit Calculation for FY 2026-27
9. Proposed Budget Presentation
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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-___
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALISO
VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE 2026-27 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
FOR THE CITY OF ALISO VIEJO
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo requires a fiscal plan for the City’s operation; and
WHEREAS, a proposed budget for the City of Aliso Viejo for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 20 27, was submitted to the City Council, as required by Ordinance No. 2001-005; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has conducted a public meeting, has heard and considered public comments, has modified the draft budget accordingly, and wishes to adopt such budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, preparation of the fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget conforms to the Management and Budget Policies adopted by the City Council on November 16, 2005 by Resolution No. 2005-056; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALISO VIEJO AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget is hereby adopted.
SECTION 2. That the City Manager and the Director of Financial Services are hereby authorized to make expenditures in accordance with the fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget, as adopted, with the exception of those expenditures that require City Council approval in accordance with the ordinances and regulations of the City.
SECTION 3. That a copy of said fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget is on file in the office of the City Clerk, and is incorporated by reference into this resolution.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Financial Services is directed to enter the fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget into the City's financial system in accordance with appropriate accounting practices, and the City Manager, with the Director of Financial Services’ assistance, shall assure compliance therewith.
SECTION 5. That the Mayor of the City of Aliso Viejo shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this Resolution.
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of June 2026.
__________________________
Max Duncan
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST:
__________________________ __________________________
Scott C. Smith, City Attorney Maria Kendig, City Clerk
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF ALISO VIEJO )
I, MARIA KENDIG , City Clerk of the City of Aliso Viejo, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 202 6-__ duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo at their regular meeting held on the 3rd day of June, 2026, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
___________________________
JANET MARTINEZ
CITY CLERK
(SEAL)
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PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET
FISCAL YEAR 2026-27
330
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
4 Principal Officials
5 History of the City
6 Organizational Structure
8 Basis of Budgeting
11 Budgeting Process
12 Budget Resolution
16 Financial Policies
17 Demographics
24 Funds Description and Classifications
29 Executive Summary
32 Strategic Goals and Priorities
38 Summary of Fund Balance
39 Consolidated Summary of Resources & Appropriations
40 General Fund
47 Departments Summary
56 Administration and Support
57 City Council
60 City Manager
62 Human Resources
65 Government Services
68 City Attorney
71 Financial Services
73 Information Technology
76 Central Services & City Hall
79 Community and Economic Development
82 Planning
86 Building and Safety
89 Code Enforcement
91 Economic Development
93 Recreation and Community Services
95 Community Services Administration
99 Iglesia Park
101
Iglesia Building
103
Iglesia Park Community Center
105
Recreation
107
Public Safety
109
Law Enforcement
113
Law Enforcement - Other
115
Crime Prevention
117
Animal Care Services
119
Emergency Operations Management
121
Public Works
123
Transfers Out
127
Special Revenue
129
Traffic Congestion Relief Fund
133
Gas Tax
136
331
Measure M
140
Road Maintenance & Rehabilitation Account
143
Public Safety Grants
146
Air Quality Management District
149
Integrated Waste Management
152
Other Grants
155
Technology Grant
158
Federal Grants
161
Development Impact
164
AV Center
167
AV Aquatic Center
170
Debt Service
174
Capital Improvement Plan
176
One Year Plan - Funding Sources
177
One Year Plan - Detail
178
Appendix
179
Glossary
180
Chart of Accounts
187
332
Budget at a Glance
Fiscal Year 2026-27
General Fund Budget by Department Totals $29.9 million
Special Revenue Funds by Function Totals $10.2 million
Introduction
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City of Aliso Viejo
List of Principal Officials
City-Manager Form of Government
CITY COUNCIL
Max Duncan, Mayor
Mike Munzing, Mayor Pro Tem, District 5
Tiffany Ackley, Council Member, At-Large
Garrett Dwyer, Council Member, District 3
Tim Zandbergen, Council Member, District 1
CITY MANAGER
Brett Channing
CITY ADMINISTRATION
Isaac Aziz, Information Technology Manager
Ann Eifert, Director of Financial Services/City Treasurer Maria Kendig, Director of Government Services/City Clerk So Kim, Community Development Director
Lizzy Mendoza, Community Services Manager
Shaun Pelletier, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Scott Smith, City Attorney (Best, Best, & Krieger)
Ryan Buhr, Police Chief (Orange County Sheriff's Department) Reid Gibson, Division Chief (Orange County Fire Authority) Principal Officials
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History of the City
Aliso Viejo was originally part of the 26,000-acre Moulton Ranch. In the 1890’s, the Moulton family took ownership of land the Mexican government originally granted to Juan Avila in 1842. In 1976, the Mission Viejo Company purchased the last 6,600 acres for a new master-planned community. The ultimate vision for Aliso Viejo was to feature neighborhoods that provide a balance between work and home, services, and leisure activities. A transit-friendly, energy-conscious, and land-conserving community, Aliso Viejo was to foster a sense of community by creating a friendlier streetscape, quality infrastructure like parks, schools, and new roads, shopping close to home, community services, and neighbors that genuinely feel connected to the community and to one another.
The county approved the master plan for the community in 1979, and by March of 1982, the first residential units were offered for sale. About eight months later, the first residents arrived.
In February of 1995, the Self-Governance Subcommittee of Governmental Affairs, an offshoot of the Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA), which was the first community-wide property owner’s association of its kind in the state, began its push to make Aliso Viejo a city. Two years later, “Aliso Viejo Cityhood 2000” was born. In March of 1999, “Aliso Viejo Cityhood 2000” introduced an initiative on the ballot for the 2001 special election. On March 6, 2001, voters (more than 90 percent) overwhelmingly decided to make Aliso Viejo a city.
The City of Aliso Viejo was officially incorporated on July 1, 2001, and operates as a general law City.
Location
Aliso Viejo encompasses approximately seven square miles and is located at the southern end of Orange County. Aliso is
approximately 50 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, 75 miles northwest of San Diego, 15 miles south of John Wayne International Airport, and 2.7 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean.
Neighboring communities include the cities of Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, and Laguna Woods.
More than 1,200 businesses are located in Aliso Viejo, which has roughly five million square feet of low and mid-rise office, research and development, technology, and light industrial space. The City is recognized for hosting fast-growing entrepreneurial industries such as medical device, technology, software, biotech,
pharmaceutical, electronic gaming, healthcare, and insurance.
History of the City
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Form of Government
The City operates under the Council-Manager form of government. Beginning with the election in 2024, the City implemented by-district elections, with the City being divided into five districts. Council members are elected to four- year terms with elections staggered every two years. The Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem are selected by the Council from among its members to serve one-year terms. For more information regarding the by- district election process, please visit https://avcity.org/.
The Council acts as the legislative and policy-making body of the City, enacting all laws and directing such actions as required to provide for the general welfare of the community. City Council meetings are held on a regular basis and are open to the public. The City Council also serves as the governing body of the Aliso Viejo Public Financing Corporation. The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and is responsible for overseeing the operations of the City and implementing the policy decisions made by the City Council. The City Attorney is also appointed by the City Council. All other department heads and employees are appointed by the City Manager.
The City provides municipal services through in-house staffing for administration, finance, planning, and community services and contracts for the services of police, fire, street maintenance, building, code enforcement, trash removal, street sweeping, various recreation programs, and legal services. The City owns and manages the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center, the Aliso Viejo Center, Iglesia Park, Vista Park, and the Aliso Viejo Ranch property, in addition to maintaining all public roads. The Orange County Library System provides public library services. The Aliso Viejo Community Association, a master community association, owns and manages 20 of the 23 local parks within the City limits. This association also maintains most of the landscaped slopes and parkways.
History of the City
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Organizational Chart
Staffing
The table below represents budgeted staffing levels by department for the past five years. The FY 2026-27 budget includes salaries and benefits for 5 elected officials, 29 full-time employees, and approximately 6.0 part-time or full- time equivalents (FTE).
Five-Year Budgeted Staffing Levels
Department (FTE) 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
City Council (Elected Officials) 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
City Manager 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.0 2.0
Government Services 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.5
Human Resources 1.0 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0
Financial Services 4.3 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
Information Technology 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0
Recreation and Community Services 18.0 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 Community and Economic Development 5.8 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Public Works 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
Public Safety - 0.5 - - -
Total 46.6 40.6 40.0 40.0 40.0
Organization Chart
Residents of Aliso Viejo
Aliso Viejo City Council
City Attorney City Manager
Human Resources
Employee Relations
Recruitment
Financial Services
Budget
Accounting & FinancialReporting
Purchasing
Treasury
Information Technology
Software Maintenance
Hardware Maintenance
Cyber Security
Recreation & CommunityServices
Recreation Activities
Recreation Facilities
Special Events
Community & EconomicDevelopment
Planning
Building & Safety
Code Enforcement
Economic Development
Public Works
Engineering
Street & BuildingMaintenance
EnvironmentalCompliance
Capital Improvement
Public Safety
Law Enforcement
Emergency OperationsManagement
Animal Control
Crime Prevention
Director of GovernmentServices/City Clerk
Organizational Structure
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Fiscal Year
Employer
Contribution
Rate (Classic)
Employer
Contribution
Rate (PEPRA)
Estimated
Annual
Employer
Normal Cost
Employer
Unfunded Accrued
Liability
Contribution
Estimated Total
Contributions
2022-23 10.320 % 7.470 % $294,455 $98,471 $392,926
2023-24 11.840 % 7.680 % $321,208 $89,913 $411,121
2024-25 11.880 % 7.870 % $343,645 $126,925 $470,570
2025-26 11.940 % 7.960 % $344,130 $158,270 $502,400
2026-27 11.920% 7.930% $376,283 $185,379 $561,662
Employee Compensation and Benefits
The City of Aliso Viejo provides various benefits to employees in addition to maintaining competitive salaries.
Work Schedule: The City operates on a 9/80 work schedule, with every other Friday off.
Salary: The City has a Pay-For-Performance Compensation System. Salaries are based on experience and knowledge of job responsibilities. Each classification title has a corresponding salary range. The compensation system and cost-of- living increases have been incorporated for FY 2026-27.
Medicare: All employees contribute a portion of gross salary for Medicare coverage as determined by Federal regulations.
Retirement Benefits: The City formally joined the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) in December 2002 under the CalPERS 2% @ 55 Plan. It is a multiple-employer public employee defined benefit pension plan. Each year, an independent actuary engaged by the pension plan calculates the amount of the annual contribution that the City must make to the pension plan to ensure that the plan will be able to fully meet its obligations to retired employees on a timely basis. The City received its actuarial valuation in July 2025 for FY 2026-27.
The City’s annual employer contribution rate for FY 2025-26 was 11.94% of base wages and is expected to be 11.92% for FY 2026-27. The City also pays the employees’ portion of the retirement contribution of 7% of base wages.
On January 1, 2013, the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) was implemented by CalPERS. This legislation created a benefit group, PEPRA, for new members in CalPERS. All employees, hired by the city on or after January 1, 2013, who have a lapse in membership or no prior membership with CalPERS, are placed into the PEPRA benefit group. The defined benefit formula is 2% @ 62. The annual employer contribution rate for FY 2025-26 is 7.96% of base wages and is expected to be 7.93% in FY 2026-27. Employees in the new benefit group are required to contribute at least 50% of the total normal cost rate for their defined benefit plan. As such, the employee contribution rate in FY 2026-27 is 7.75% of base wages. Reducing unfunded liabilities has become a priority for both CalPERS and the City’s contracted public safety agencies. The City's funded ratio as of the last available CalPERS actuarial valuation is above 80%.
The following table shows the City’s employer contributions, including unfunded liability contributions, towards CalPERS over the last 5 fiscal years.
CalPERS Contributions
Total contributions do not include the employee contribution rate which is paid by the City for classic members.
Source: CalPERS, City of Aliso Viejo, Department of Financial Services 1 1
Organizational Structure
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Annual Leave: Employees earn 176 to 240 hours of annual leave per year depending on years of service. Accrual of annual leave and maximum accrual amounts increase based upon number of years of service. The City also allows an annual cash payout of accrued leave in the amount of 40 hours for 1-5 years of service and 80 hours for 6 or more years of service.
Cafeteria Benefits Plan: The City provides its employees a specific dollar amount which can be applied toward medical, dental, vision insurance and/or other benefits offered on a pre-tax basis through the City’s Section 125 Cafeteria Plan. A variety of medical insurance plans are available through the CalPERS Health Benefits program.
Flexible Spending Accounts are provided and funded by the employees.
Life and Long-Term Disability: The City provides life and long-term disability insurance.
Deferred Compensation: City contributions to a Governmental 457(b) deferred compensation plan are provided to active Council Members of up to $2,242.58 per month. The City also provides an employer contribution to the City Manager of an amount equal to 3% of base salary. The program is optional for all other employees and funded by employee contributions through payroll deductions.
Organizational Structure
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Basis of Budgeting
The City of Aliso Viejo’s annual operating budget is prepared in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), using the modified accrual basis of accounting. Under this method of accounting, revenues are recognized in the accounting period in which they become measurable and available to finance expenditures of the current fiscal period, while expenditures are recognized in the accounting period in which the liability is incurred. Each of the City's funds is considered a separate accounting entity with a self-balancing set of accounts that records assets, liabilities, fund equity, revenue, and expenditures. Funds are established and segregated for the purpose of recording specific programs or attaining certain objectives in accordance with special regulations, restrictions, or limitations. The General Fund accounts for all revenue of the City not specifically levied or collected for a particular purpose. The City of Aliso Viejo has 13 Special Revenue Funds that are used to account for specific revenues that are legally restricted for particular purposes. The Capital Project Funds are used to account for the acquisition or construction and improvement of major capital projects. The budget is prepared on a line item basis by fund and department. The City currently does not have any Enterprise or Internal Service funds.
Basis of Budgeting
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Budgeting Process
The responsibility for preparation of the Annual Budget is set forth in Ordinance No. 2001-005, whereby the City Manager is tasked with the preparation and submittal of the Annual Budget for its approval by City Council. The Financial Services Department prepares budget reports and provides detailed instructions and assistance to each department with respect to the preparation of their particular department budgets. The budgeting process is generally an incremental one which starts with a historically-based budget. Requests for changes in appropriations are made at the departmental level and initially compiled and reviewed by the Director of Financial Services. A draft budget is then presented to the City Manager, who reviews the requests and ensures that all budget decisions are in full accordance with stated City Council policies and goals, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
PREPARATION OF THE BUDGET DOCUMENT
Altogether, budget preparation takes approximately four months. Departments begin preparing their budget requests and revenue estimates in February. All budget submissions for new and additional services, positions, capital outlay, and capital improvement projects are reviewed. The overall picture of estimated revenues and proposed appropriations is also carefully studied. In addition to providing the most efficient, effective and economical service levels possible, public safety, legal requirements, and adherence to City Council financial policies are also major considerations throughout the budget process.
Budget workshops are open to the public and are held starting in April. The City Manager presents the Draft Budget to the City Council and the public for review. Changes to the budget as directed by the City Council are incorporated into the Proposed Budget and presented for adoption. The budget is adopted annually by the City Council prior to the beginning of the fiscal year and serves as the foundation for the City’s financial planning and control. A majority vote is required to pass, approve, and adopt the final Budget by resolution at a City Council meeting.
BUDGET CALENDAR – SUMMARY
The following calendar highlights some of the key deadlines used for the preparation of the FY 2026-27 Budget:
May 6, 2026 - City Council Study Session - FY 2026-27 Draft Budget June 3, 2026 - Present Proposed Budget for City Council Adoption BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION, TRANSFERS AND CONTROL
Upon adoption of the budget by the City Council, the responsibility of implementing each department’s budget lies with each Department Head with oversight by the Director of Financial Services, with ultimate responsibility resting with the City Manager. Department Heads are expected to operate their departments within the appropriations established in the budget.
The legal level of budgetary control is the level at which management may not allocate resources without the City Council’s approval. The level of budgetary control for the City is established at the fund level. Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, the City Council adopts the annual budget, which serves as the foundation for the City’s financial planning and control. All governmental funds are annually appropriated. The budget is arranged by fund, function, and department and presented to the Council by the City Manager. Transfers of appropriations within a fund can be made with the approval of the City Manager and Director of Financial Services. The City Council’s approval is required for all budget amendments that result in a change to the total expenditure of a fund. The budget is reviewed mid-year in February by the City Manager and the Director of Financial Services to ensure compliance with City Council direction. The midyear budget is then presented to and reviewed by the City Council and consideration is given to Budgeting Process
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necessary changes for new programs, projects, and other adjustments to ensure that expenditures and revenues are in line with the budgeted projections.
A carefully designed system of internal accounting and budgetary controls is used to ensure that revenues and expenditures are tracked and used as intended. These controls are designed to provide reasonable, but not necessarily absolute, assurance with respect to the reliability of financial and budgetary records for use in the preparation of financial statements, as well as accountability for all City assets. The concept of reasonable assurance recognizes that the cost of control should not exceed the benefits and that the evaluation of costs and benefits requires estimates and judgments by management. The system is reviewed as regularly as possible and as required by law, by either internal audit staff and/or independent, certified public accountants. The City also maintains an encumbrance accounting system as an additional method of accomplishing budgetary control. Estimated purchase amounts are encumbered prior to the release of purchase orders to a vendor. At fiscal year-end, all operating budget appropriations lapse and are re-appropriated in the next year’s budget.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR): The ACFR is a detailed report that covers the financial statements for the City prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as promulgated by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB). This report includes an introductory section, the Independent Auditors’ Report, and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), which offers readers a narrative description as well as an analysis of the financial activity of the City for the fiscal year ended. The report continues with the government-wide statements, fund financial statements, and notes to the financial statements. Statements for major funds are then presented, followed by all non-major fund activity, and finally, the statistical section. The City prepared its first ACFR in 2001 in the GASB Statement Number 34 format and included a citywide valuation of infrastructure assets. The ACFR complies with all GASB pronouncements applicable to the City of Aliso Viejo. The City has consistently received the prestigious “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” award presented by Government Finance Officers Association since 2001.
OTHER INFORMATION
Capital Improvement Program (CIP): The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget is submitted to the City Council with the budget document in order to provide more detailed descriptions of projects scheduled to take place over the next five years. A CIP project is defined as an addition or improvement to the City's infrastructure or public facilities.
Financial Services coordinates the budget preparation, including review of fund cash flows to ensure adequate funding over the project life. Many projects span multiple fiscal years and have multiple funding sources, including grant funding and special revenue funds. Special attention is paid to projects requiring General Fund dollars and typically reflects previously identified Council goals. The CIP document is designed to give an easily understandable overview of the multi-year projects to which the City Council has made a long-term commitment.
Debt: On August 13, 2019, the City issued $12,250,000 of tax-exempt Certificates of Participation to provide financing for the construction of the Aliso Viejo Ranch. The principal is due annually in amounts ranging from $230,000 to $635,000 on November 1 of each year commencing in 2020 through the year 2049 with a coupon rate ranging from 2% to 4%.
Interest is payable semi-annually in amounts ranging from $9,525 to $212,325 and is due on May 1 and November 1 of each year commencing on November 1, 2019. The interest payments have rates ranging from 0.96% to 3.09%.
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Debt without Government Commitment - Community Facilities District No. 2005-01: In November, 2007, the City issued $34,070,000 in Special Tax Bonds for the acquisition and improvement of various public facilities within Community Facilities District No. 2005-01 (CFD No. 2005-01). In September 2014, the City refinanced the Special Tax Bonds with the issuance of the 2014 Special Tax Bonds for a total of $32,270,000.
In December 2023, the City refinanced $26,605,000 in principal outstanding on the 2014 Special Tax Bonds for a total of $23,430,000. Principal payments commence on September 1, 2024, and are paid annually in amounts ranging from $880,000 to $2,440,000 until September 2038. Interest payments will commence September 1, 2024, and paid semiannually thereafter on September 1 and March 1 of each year.
LEGAL DEBT MARGIN
The general laws of the State of California for municipalities provide for a legal debt limit of 15% of the assessed valuation. However, this provision was enacted when the assessed valuation was established based on 25% of market value. Effective with fiscal year 1981-82, taxable property is assessed at 100% of market value. Although the debt limit provision has not been amended by the State since this change, the percentage has been proportionately modified to
3.75% (one-fourth of the limit of 15%) for the purpose of this calculation for consistency with the original intent of the State’s debt limit.
The following chart details the calculation of the City’s Legal Debt Margin.
Computation of Legal Debt Margin
FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26 FY 2026-27
Assessed Valuation 11,846,251,958 12,279,351,745 12,734,593,722 13,037,996,994 13,466,099,625 Legal Debt Limit
3.75% 444,234,448 460,475,690 477,547,265 488,924,887 504,978,736 Amount of Debt
Applicable to Limit 11,545,000 11,295,000 11,035,000 10,765,000 10,485,000 Legal Debt Margin 432,689,448 449,180,690 466,512,265 478,159,887 494,493,736 Source: County of Orange Auditor Controller
HDL Coren & Cone,
City of Aliso Viejo Department of Financial Services
APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT (GANN)
The voters of California, during a special election in 1979, approved Article XIII-B of the California State Constitution.
Informally known as the “Gann Initiative,” Article XIII-B provides limits regarding the total amount of appropriations in any fiscal year from “the proceeds of taxes.”Every year the City Council adopts an appropriations limit, via resolution, for the proposed fiscal year.
The State Legislature, in 1980, added Section 9710 to the Government Code, providing that the governing body of each local jurisdiction must establish, by resolution, an appropriations limit for the following year. The appropriation limit for any fiscal year was equal to the previous year’s limit, adjusted for population changes and the changes in the US Consumer Price Index (or California per capita personal income, if smaller). The necessary statistical information is provided by the California Department of Finance. However, the original Article XIII-B (Proposition 4) and its implementing legislation were modified by Proposition 111 and SB 88 by the voters in June 1980. The changes were Budgeting Process
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incorporated into the FY 1990-91 and FY 1991-92 Appropriations Limits. Beginning with the FY 1990-91 Appropriations Limit, a city may choose annual adjustment factors. The adjustment factors include growth in the California Per Capita Income or growth in the non-residential assessed valuation due to construction within the City and the population growth within the county or the city.
The following chart details the City’s Annual Appropriation Five-Year Limit history.
Annual Appropriations Limit
Fiscal Year Appropriations Limit Percentage
Change Subject to Limit Variance
2022-23 53,660,602 11.33% 15,361,280 38,299,322
2023-24 56,164,572 4.67% 16,182,063 39,982,509
2024-25 58,378,143 3.94% 19,534,385 38,843,758
2025-26 62,243,329 6.62% 19,588,263 42,655,066
2026-27 65,082,674 4.56% 22,914,727 42,167,947
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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE 2026-27 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF ALISO VIEJO WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of requires a fiscal plan for the City’s operation; and WHEREAS, a proposed budget for the City of Aliso Viejo for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, was submitted to the City Council, as required by Ordinance No. 2001-005; and WHEREAS, the City Council has conducted a public meeting, has heard and considered public comments, has modified the draft budget accordingly, and wishes to adopt such budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, preparation of the fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget conforms to the Management and Budget Policies adopted by the City Council on November 16, 2005, by Resolution No. 2005-056; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget is hereby adopted.
SECTION 2. That the City Manager and the Director of Financial Services are hereby authorized to make expenditures in accordance with the fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget, as adopted, with the exception of those expenditures that require City Council approval in accordance with the ordinances and regulations of the City.
SECTION 3. That a copy of said fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget is on file in the office of the City Clerk, and is incorporated by reference into this resolution.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Financial Services is directed to enter the fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Budget into the City's financial system in accordance with appropriate accounting practices, and the City Manager, with the Director of Financial Services’ assistance, shall assure compliance therewith.
SECTION 5. That the Mayor of the City of shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of June 2026.
Budget Resolution
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Financial Policies
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Financial Policies
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Financial Policies
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Financial Policies
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Financial Policies
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Financial Policies
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Financial Policies
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Demographics
Aliso Viejo was the first planned community in California to provide a balance between its estimated 18,000 on-site jobs and the resident workforce. With a population of 49,945, all residents live within 2.5 miles of Aliso Viejo Town Center, which is located near the geographic center of the City. The Town Center includes over 800,000 square feet of retail shops and specialty stores, restaurants, medical offices, business offices, and entertainment venues. In 2024, Aliso Viejo was ranked the 2nd safest city in California by safety consulting firm, Safewise.
Aliso Viejo housing is comprised of single-family homes, condos, and luxury apartments. The City's commercial base includes a mixture of retail, light industrial, and service entities providing a diverse tax base for the City. According to the United States Census Bureau, Aliso Viejo residents have a median age of 39.2 years and a median household income of $142,439. The median home price is $917,900. As of March 2026, the City is home to an estimated 27,700 employed individuals and has an unemployment rate of 3.5% compared to 3.7% in the County.
Population
TOTAL POPULATION
49,945
-0.53%
vs. 2024
GROWTH RANK
7out of 506Municipalities in California
* Data Source: Client entered data for year 2025
DAYTIME POPULATION
44,443
Daytime population represents the effect of persons coming into or leaving a community for work, entertainment, shopping, etc. during the typical workday. An increased daytime population puts greater demand on host community services which directly impacts operational costs. * Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 0 10k
20k
30k
40k
50k
60k
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POPULATION BY AGE GROUP
Aging affects the needs and lifestyle choices of residents. Municipalities must adjust and plan services accordingly. * Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates 3K3K 3K 3K3K 3K
4K4K 4K
3K3K 3K
2K2K 2K
7K7K 7K
8K8K 8K
7K7K 7K
4K4K 4K
4K4K 4K 3K3K 3K
2K2K 2K
1K1K 1K
<5 5-9 10-14 15-1920-2425-3435-4445-5455-5960-6465-7475-84 >85 0 2K
4K
6K
8K
10K
Demographics
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Household
TOTAL HOUSEHOLDS
19,633
Municipalities must consider the dynamics of household types to plan for and provide services effectively. Household type also has a general correlation to income levels which affect the municipal tax base. 5%
higher than state average
10%
higher than state average
2%
higher than state average
-19%
lower than state average
* Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates Family Households
57%
Married Couples
55%
Singles
24%
Senior Living Alone
8%
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Economic
Household income is a key data point in evaluating a community’s wealth and spending power. Pay levels and earnings typically vary by geographic regions and should be looked at in context of the overall cost of living.
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Above $200,000
30%
46.64%
higher than state average
Median income
$142,439
43.70%
higher than state average
Below $25,000
7%
-41.10%
lower than state average
* Data Source: American Community Survey 5-year estimates Over $200,000
$150,000 to $200,000
$125,000 to $150,000
$100,000 to $125,000
$75,000 to $100,000
$50,000 to $75,000
$25,000 to $50,000
Below $25,000
Demographics
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Housing
2024 MEDIAN HOME VALUE
$917,900
* Data Source: 2024 US Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Home value data includes all types of owner-occupied housing.
HOME VALUE DISTRIBUTION
* Data Source: 2024 US Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Home value data includes all types of owner-occupied housing.
HOME OWNERS VS
RENTERS
Aliso Viejo State Avg.
43%
Rent
57%
Own
44%
Rent
56%
Own
* Data Source: 2024 US Census
Bureau, American Community
Survey. Home value data
includes all types of owner-
occupied housing.
2009
2010 2011
2012
2013
2014 2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020 2021
2022
2023
2024
400K
500K
600K
700K
800K
900K
1,000K
3,0933,093 3,093
3,5123,512 3,512
2,3702,370 2,370
320320320
145145 145
3636 36
2626 26
3434 34
252525
8686 86
168168 168
> $1,000,000
$750,000 to $999,999
$500,000 to $749,999
$400,000 to $499,999
$300,000 to $399,999
$250,000 to $299,999
$200,000 to $249,999
$150,000 to $199,999
$100,000 to $149,999
$50,000 to $99,999
< $49,999
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
Demographics
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Fund Descriptions and Classifications
MAJOR FUNDS
A “Major Fund” is typically defined, for the purpose of this presentation, as a fund with more than 10% of total budgeted resources or expenditures in the budget year.
GENERAL FUND
The General Fund has been classified as a major fund and is used to account for revenues and expenditures that are not required to be accounted for in another fund.
NON-MAJOR FUNDS
A “Non-Major Fund” is typically defined, for the purpose of this presentation, as a fund with less than 10% of total budgeted resources or expenditures in the budget year.
SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
Traffic Congestion Relief
Assembly Bill 2928 established the Traffic Congestion Relief Fund (TCRF) in the State Treasury for allocating funds to cities and counties for street or road maintenance or reconstruction. Cities and counties are required to maintain their existing commitment of general funds for streets or roadwork to remain eligible for the allocation of these funds.
Gas Tax
This fund is used to account for the City’s share of the motor vehicle gas tax imposed under the provisions of the Street and Highway Code of the State of California under Sections 2103, 2105, 2106, 2107, and 2107.5 which are legally restricted for the acquisition, construction, improvements, and maintenance of public streets.
Measure M
Measure M Fund is used to account for the City's share of the sales tax increase authorized by Orange County's Measure M. These monies are legally restricted for the acquisition, construction, and improvement of public streets.
Measure M also provides funding for the City's Senior Mobility Program.
Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA)
Senate Bill 1 (SB1) created the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) to address deferred maintenance on the State Highway System, as well as the local street and road system. These funds are legally restricted for road maintenance, rehabilitation, and critical safety projects on the local streets and roads.
Public Safety Grants
This fund is used to account for law enforcement grants received, such as the Supplemental Law Enforcement Account (SLESA) and Citizens' Option for Public Safety (COPS).
Air Quality Management District (AQMD)
This fund is used to account for the City’s share of vehicle registration fees that the State of California has allocated to address air quality concerns in Southern California. These monies are used for local and/or regional air quality maintenance programs.
Funds Description and Classifications
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Integrated Waste Management
This fund is used to account for the receipt of the California Beverage and Recycling Grant. Integrated Waste Management Funds have been budgeted to promote recycling and waste management within city facilities and at city events.
Other Grants
This fund is used to account for state, local and other grants received.
Technology Grants
This includes funds received by cable franchises for public, educational, and government (PEG) channels. These funds are used for technology upgrades, equipment, community outreach, broadcast of council meetings, and provide City information on the Government Access Channel.
Development Impact Fund
This fund is used to account for revenue received as a result of negotiated developer agreements for affordable housing, traffic mitigation, community enhancement, and open spaces.
Aliso Viejo Center
This fund is used to account for the operations of the Aliso Viejo Center. The Aliso Viejo Center is a City-owned facility that serves as an ideal venue to accommodate an array of functions, such as banquets, wedding celebrations, conferences, and corporate events.
Aquatics Center
This fund is used to account for the operations of the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center. The Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center is a City-owned facility that provides residents with a resort-style swimming complex that includes a lap pool, whirlpool, tot's wading pool, snack bar, and patio.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS
Street Improvements
This fund is used to account for the City’s street improvement projects.
Capital Improvements
This fund is used to account for the City’s Capital Improvements Projects that do not fall in the Street Improvement or Storm Water categories, such as facilities and capital equipment.
Storm Water
This fund is used to account for the City’s storm-water related improvement projects.
Certificates of Participation
This fund is used to account for capital expenditures associated with the development and construction of the Aliso Viejo Ranch. The capital costs associated with the Aliso Viejo Ranch project include the construction of buildings, landscaping, parking lot, and hydroponic farm.
Funds Description and Classifications
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Fund / Department Relationships
Funds Description and Classifications
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Executive Summary
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 budget includes appropriations for programs and projects necessary to provide essential services to the community. General Fund resources are estimated to total $30.1 million. Staff is proposing a balanced General Fund operating budget totaling approximately $29.6 million and $0.2 million for the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), for a total appropriation of $29.9 million.
A General Fund surplus of approximately $0.2 million is projected, resulting in an increase to fund balance of 0.5%. The estimated year-end General Fund balance is $45.4 million and represents 153% of the FY 2026-27 operating budget.
In addition to the General Fund, the City uses “Special Revenue Funds” to fund various City expenditures. Special Revenue Funds are typically restricted funds, such as Gas Tax, SB 1, Measure M, Federal Grants, and Other Grants.
These funds can only be used for specific purposes. Revenue and appropriations for all Special Revenue Funds for FY 2026-27 are approximately $8.9 million and $10.2 million, respectively.
At the end of FY 2026-27 operations, the estimated fund balance for all City funds will be approximately $51.5 million.
General Fund Revenues
Revenue forecasts for FY 2026-27 are estimated to total $30.1 million, essentially flat from the current fiscal year, but approximately 6.2% lower than FY 2024-25, which included one-time sources from unrealized gains in the City’s investment portfolio and other financing sources, as well as strong operating results at the Aliso Viejo Center. The FY 2026-27 revenue estimates reflect only modest year-over-year increases in sales tax, property tax, and franchise fees.
The increases are expected to offset decreases in recreation and the Aliso Viejo Center. Table 1 below provides a summary of General Fund resources compared to the current year’s budget and FY 2024-25 actuals.
Table 1: General Fund Resources
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The City receives 84% of its General Fund revenue from taxes. This includes property tax, sales tax, transient occupancy tax (TOT), and franchise fees. Property tax is estimated at $10.5 million and is projected to increase approximately 2%, primarily from inflationary adjustments allowable under Proposition 13. Sales tax is conservatively estimated at $11.4 million, an increase of $0.2 million or 1.6% from the current year as economic uncertainty remains high due to inflation, overseas conflicts, interest rates, and other economic policies. TOT remains consistent year after year at approximately $1.6 million. The City has two hotels and any significant growth is not anticipated. Franchise fees from the City’s utilities and waste hauler are expected to increase slightly, however, these increases are offset by decreases in cable fees as consumers move toward streaming services and away from traditional cable television.
Other revenue sources include recreation fees, building and planning, traffic and parking fines, investments earnings, and net income from the Aliso Viejo Center. Recreation fees total approximately $1.5 million and include facility rentals at the Ranch, classes, and camps. The current year saw a decline in larger events hosted by non-residents, such as weddings, and FY 2026-27 estimates continue that trend with a decline in demand for large events. Building and planning fees are estimated to remain flat from the current year at $1.4 million and do not include any anticipated large development projects as the timing remains uncertain. Investment income is also conservatively estimated at $1.1 million as interest rate cuts in FY 2026-27 remain a possibility. Transfers and other revenue primarily include a transfer from the Aliso Viejo Center, which is projecting a decrease of approximately $0.1 million in net income to $0.3 million.
General Fund Appropriations
The General Fund operating budget totals $29.6 million and includes $0.3 million in transfers to the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center Fund to bridge the operating gap at that facility. The operating budget includes salaries and benefits for 29 full-time positions, five elected officials, and part-time positions primarily in Recreation and Community Services.
Salary and benefit expenses include merit-based increases and cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in accordance with the Classification and Compensation Plan approved by Council in 2018, which is based on the Annual Consumer Price Executive Summary
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Index, Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (CPI-W) of 3.2%. The estimated cost of the COLA is $0.1 million.
In addition, appropriations include CalPERS pension costs of $0.5 million and $0.2 million in unfunded pension liability. As of the most recent CalPERS actuarial valuation, the City’s accrued liability’s funded ratio is above the required funding level of 80%, as established by Council policy in 2017.
The FY 2026-27 budget provides the necessary funding to continue essential services throughout the community. The operating budget reflects an increase of approximately 5.0%, or $1.5 million compared to the FY 2025-26 amended budget. The year-over-year increase is primarily a result of the following:
Public Safety – FY 2026-27 appropriations for law enforcement services with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) is $0.7 million higher than the current fiscal year, which includes funding for one motor officer and one Emergency Operations Coordinator position held vacant in FY 2025-26.
Public Works – Increases of $0.2 million include additional street maintenance funding as required by the recently updated maintenance of effort (MOE) and the City’s share of the County’s stormwater program.
Administration & Support – The increase of approximately $0.4 million for Administration and Support is primarily a result of increases to salaries and benefits, recently filled positions, $57,000 for the November 2026 election, and an increase of approximately $80,000 for the City’s insurance premiums.
Table 2 summarizes the General Fund appropriations.
Table 2: General Fund Appropriations
Executive Summary
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Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Other General Fund obligations include funding for capital improvement projects totaling $0.2 million for FY 2026-27.
General Fund improvements include the following projects:
Vista Park - Replacement of lighting, trellis, and playground resurfacing - $47,500 Aquatic Center – Replacement of the recreation pool plaster and lighting management system - $120,000 Aliso Viejo Center – Replacement of lighting management system - $60,000 Dairy Fork/Wood Canyon Wetlands - $20,000
The CIP with funding from special revenues total $4.1 million and include the following projects:
Accessible pedestrian signals (CDBG) - $237,203
Street Improvement Slurry Seal Projects (Measure M) - $1,910,000 Columbia Loop Street Rehabilitation (SB1) - $1,105,000
Construction of Pump Track (Park Fees) - $824,802
Special Revenue Funds
Special Revenue Funds are expended in compliance with their funding stipulations; however, it is common to accumulate Special Revenue Funds for multiple years to fund larger City projects.
Road funds consist of Traffic Congestion Relief, Gas Taxes, Measure M and SB1-Road Maintenance Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funds. These funds are restricted and may only be utilized for the maintenance and improvement of street and traffic projects.
Gas Tax resources and expenditures are estimated at $1.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Gas Tax funds are appropriated for street maintenance, street lighting, signal maintenance, and street sweeping.
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Measure M revenues and expenditures are projected at $1.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Measure M funds are used for street capital projects and the Senior Mobility Program (SMP). Measure M projects include the FY 2026-27 slurry seal project as well as the FY 2025-26 slurry seal, which was delayed in the current year, totaling $1.9 million. The SMP, which provides transportation services for our City’s seniors, is estimated at $57,885.
SB1-RMRA revenue totals $1.5 million and $1.1 million is included in the CIP for the Columbia Loop street rehabilitation project.
Public safety grants include the Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Funds (SLESF) for frontline local public safety programs and equipment and expected to total approximately $0.2 million in revenue and expenses. These funds are used to offset contractual costs with the OCSD for various police equipment, including the replacement of a police motorcycle in FY 2026-27.
Air Quality Management District (AQMD) revenue is approximately $0.1 million with no budgeted projects or expenditures anticipated in FY 2026-27.
Integrated Waste Management funds are used to facilitate recycling and other waste reduction initiatives. Remaining grant funds of $0.1 million are expected to be spent in FY 2026-27 to implement SB1383 compliance regarding organic waste recycling.
Other Grants for FY 2026-27 total $0.1 million and include the Permanent Local Housing Allocation grant, which provides funding to maintain the City’s three affordable housing units, costs associated with the Orange County Sheriff’s Behavior Health Bureau, and supportive and case management services.
The Technology Grant is provided from public, educational, and government access (PEG) fees received through cable franchises and is estimated at $0.1 million. Expenses include funds for public programming, such as Council meetings and SportsZone.
The Federal Grants budget totals $0.3 million and provides funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). Expenditures include the installation of accessible pedestrian signals, public service activities, fair housing services, and grant administration.
FY 2026-27 also includes $0.8 million in development impact park-in-lieu fees for the construction of a pump track.
These fees are expected to be collected in the current fiscal year and are included in the FY 2026-27 as directed by Council on March 18, 2026.
Management services for the Aliso Viejo Center and the Aquatic Center are provided by two management companies.
Aliso Viejo Center revenues total approximately $2.8 million and expenses total $2.5 million, resulting in a net transfer of $0.3 million to the General Fund. The Aquatic Center revenues are estimated at $0.8 million, with expenditures totaling $1.1 million. The City’s General Fund will subsidize the operating deficit with a transfer to the Aquatic Fund in the amount of $0.3 million. Table 3 summarizes the resources and expenditure budget for the City’s special revenue funds.
Executive Summary
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Table 3: Special Revenue Funds
Executive Summary
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Strategic Goals and Priorities
Over the past few years, the City has undergone significant staffing changes, including directors, the appointment of a new City Manager, and newly elected Council Members. As a result of the changes, Staff considered it prudent to obtain the services of Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, to facilitate the development of a short-term strategic plan for the City. A strategic plan is a vital tool for cities to ensure that the City Council’s goals and priorities are effectively communicated to employees and the community. This will also include the development of an action plan to align City resources towards achieving Council’s goals.
Over the course of approximately six weeks, Baker Tilly gathered general background information regarding the City’s organizational structure, services, financial outlook, recent accomplishments, and challenges. Baker Tilly conducted one-on-one interviews with each Council Member to identify their individual goals and priorities for the City, as well as to ascertain commonalities among Council as a group. Meetings were also held with the City’s executive staff to aid in the development of potential strategies that can be used to accomplish the goals the Council communicated. The interviews and meetings culminated in a public Council workshop that was held on February 26, 2025, that centered on team building, effective governance, and discussion regarding Baker Tilly’s findings. The workshop was designed to formalize Council’s goals and to prioritize strategies to be implemented by Staff within the next one to two years.
At the workshop, Baker Tilly presented three proposed goals for Council consideration. Consensus was reached by the City Council on the following three goals and formally adopted by the Council on May 21, 2025.
1. Financial Stability – Continue to ensure the City’s financial stability through careful planning and evaluation of revenue and investment opportunities.
2. Infrastructure Investment – Maintain, replace, and fund the City’s capital assets through infrastructure investment.
3. Aliso Viejo Ranch – Develop a plan to establish the Ranch as a prized community asset.
To accomplish these goals, the City Council also established the following priorities:
1. Identify and pursue alternative funding opportunities to support key City projects, the Capital Improvement Program, and goals.
2. Monitor and routinely review contracts and agreements to ensure the appropriate delivery of services, alignment with procurement policies and procedures, and to identify potential cost savings.
3. Prepare a master schedule to plan and budget future maintenance needs based on the recently completed asset evaluation.
4. Review expenditures and seek opportunities for cost savings at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.
5. Identify services and programs at the Ranch that will increase community participation.
6. Create a projection to increase cost recovery for the Ranch.
Strategic Goals and Priorities
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
367
Fund Balance
2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27
Fund Actual Actual Actual Actual Adjusted Proposed
101 General Fund 30,580,168 34,426,099 37,881,758 44,442,236 45,179,773 45,393,397 202 TCRF 76,109 60,982 76,068 79,430 81,330 85,130
203 Gas Tax 732,739 643,272 959,679 1,349,535 1,343,765 1,555,995 204 Measure M 1,314,963 890,039 1,903,028 2,234,906 1,724,922 827,537 205 RMRA 825,561 651,356 1,155,282 2,574,710 781,210 1,162,710 215 Public Safety Grants 129,018 171,447 288,518 374,279 396,602 372,347 221 AQMD Air Quality 1,041,367 1,145,742 1,480,498 1,614,618 289,700 353,200 225 Integrated Waste Manageme 83,592 88,400 70,924 74,802 6,802 (87,198) 231 Other Grants (314,029) (178,246) 44,085 46,438 46,438 49,438 241 Technology Grant 226,756 290,080 397,435 422,990 368,590 319,545 245 Development Impact 1,410,622 1,377,777 1,377,777 1,377,777 2,416,429 1,591,627 251 Federal Grant (85,717) (33,600) (14,062) (87,027) (87,027) (87,027) 260 Aliso Viejo Center - 60,238 - - - -
261 Aquatic Center - - - - - -
311 Street Improvements - - - - - -
331 Capital Improvements - - - - - -
332 Storm Water Improvements - - - - - -
340 COP - - - - - -
411 Debt Service (3,268) 177 546 298 - -
Total City Fund Balance 36,017,881 39,593,763 45,621,538 54,504,993 52,548,534 51,536,701 Summary of Fund Balance
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
368
Consolidated Summary of Resources &
Appropriations
Revenues vs Expenditures Summary
Comprehensive Fund Summary
Revenue Actual Revenue Budgeted Expenditures Actual
Expenditures Budgeted
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
0 $10M
$20M
$30M
$40M
$50M
Comprehensive Fund Summary
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
Beginning Fund Balance $35,154,702 $36,021,150 $39,593,584 $45,620,992 $54,504,694 $52,548,534 Revenues
TAXES $18,528,197 $19,158,967 $21,716,832 $24,954,906 $24,841,400 $25,316,500 LICENSE & PERMIT FEES $714,168 $876,077 $785,622 $1,227,831 $1,242,900 $1,281,100 FINES & FORFEITURES $173,133 $227,896 $296,431 $293,288 $255,000 $235,000 USE OF MONEY & PROPERTY $867,838 $2,013,960 $3,302,965 $3,850,254 $2,712,025 $2,627,814 INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE $3,727,525 $7,097,023 $5,062,319 $4,730,239 $5,144,365 $4,806,065 CURRENT SERVICE CHARGES $331,424 $506,699 $455,008 $125,981 $92,100 $68,900 OTHER REVENUES $3,799,248 $4,747,470 $5,506,682 $4,702,648 $4,863,152 $4,006,830 TRANSFERS IN $3,753,568 $4,020,599 $1,714,471 $1,037,742 $742,428 $659,961 Total Revenues $31,895,101 $38,648,692 $38,840,329 $40,922,890 $39,893,370 $39,002,170 Expenditures
PERSONNEL - WAGES & SALARIES $3,196,077 $3,451,752 $4,044,900 $3,679,814 $4,108,085 $4,419,550 PERSONNEL - BENEFITS $1,333,432 $1,441,620 $1,561,009 $1,576,826 $1,731,263 $1,847,868 PROFESSIONAL & TECH. SERVICES $10,255,578 $11,104,407 $11,104,568 $11,036,226 $13,027,022 $13,381,608 OPERATING EXPENDITURES $1,226,782 $1,332,958 $1,601,615 $1,683,153 $1,906,003 $1,943,201 OTHER SERVICES $1,305,691 $1,685,934 $1,626,371 $1,431,492 $1,719,515 $1,939,959 SUPPLIES $97,391 $113,344 $87,883 $79,394 $151,732 $159,331 CONTRACT SERVICES $3,542,018 $3,826,886 $5,134,544 $5,946,387 $6,787,409 $6,819,345 Consolidated Summary of Resources & Appropriations
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
369
Revenues by Fund
Historical Revenues by Fund
TRAFFIC CONGESTION RLF INTEGRATED WASTE MGMT TECHNOLOGY FUND
AQMD DEVELOPMENT IMPACT PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS
OTHER GRANTS FEDERAL GRANTS MEASURE M
AV AQUATIC CENTER SB1-RMRA GAS TAX
AV CENTER GENERAL FUND
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
CAPITAL OUTLAY $167,084 $176,133 $120,798 $134,409 $236,677 $242,255 TRANSFERS OUT $6,504,847 $8,034,194 $3,909,076 $3,046,538 $9,011,274 $4,816,114 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT $22,134 $253,526 $201,168 - - $824,802 FACILITIES EXPENDITURES $3,377,622 $3,655,666 $3,420,981 $3,438,858 $3,275,550 $3,619,970 Total Expenditures $31,028,653 $35,076,421 $32,812,912 $32,053,096 $41,954,530 $40,014,003 Total Revenues Less Expenditures $866,448 $3,572,271 $6,027,417 $8,869,794 -$2,061,160 -$1,011,833 Ending Fund Balance $36,021,150 $39,593,421 $45,621,001 $54,490,786 $52,443,534 $51,536,701 $32M$32M $32M
$39M$39M$39M $39M$39M$39M $41M$41M $41M $40M$40M $40M $39M$39M$39M FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
-$20M
0 $20M
$40M
$60M
Consolidated Summary of Resources & Appropriations
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
370
FY27 Revenues by Fund
GENERAL FUND $30,072,225 77.10%
AV CENTER $2,828,330 7.25%
GAS TAX $1,570,500 4.03%
SB1-RMRA $1,486,500 3.81%
AV AQUATIC CENTER $1,123,750 2.88%
MEASURE M $1,070,500 2.74%
FEDERAL GRANTS $337,619 0.87%
PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS $218,000 0.56%
OTHER GRANTS $140,946 0.36%
TECHNOLOGY FUND $72,500 0.19%
AQMD $63,500 0.16%
INTEGRATED WASTE MGMT $14,000 0.04%
TRAFFIC CONGESTION RLF $3,800 0.01%
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
GENERAL FUND $24,542,009 $26,735,460 $28,051,009 $31,686,021 $29,870,100 $30,072,225 TRAFFIC CONGESTION RLF -$3,031 $1,440 $15,086 $3,362 $1,900 $3,800 GAS TAX $1,155,002 $1,323,713 $1,627,658 $1,515,830 $1,459,500 $1,570,500 MEASURE M $862,377 $990,325 $1,220,146 $1,089,672 $1,056,000 $1,070,500 SB1-RMRA $986,373 $1,148,894 $1,491,155 $1,504,342 $1,386,500 $1,486,500 PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS $183,951 $166,354 $237,869 $211,170 $209,000 $218,000 AQMD $9,294 $104,375 $334,756 $134,120 $88,000 $63,500
INTEGRATED WASTE MGMT $81,024 $13,088 $33,435 $66,225 $17,000 $14,000 OTHER GRANTS $72,873 $174,575 $350,676 $297,672 $365,620 $140,946 TECHNOLOGY FUND $100,812 $93,540 $152,117 $91,408 $75,800 $72,500 DEVELOPMENT IMPACT - $6,250 - - $1,038,652 -
FEDERAL GRANTS $67,054 $3,252,962 $566,599 $126,549 $630,848 $337,619 AV CENTER $2,686,733 $3,549,365 $3,661,312 $3,193,144 $2,630,000 $2,828,330 AV AQUATIC CENTER $1,150,632 $1,088,352 $1,098,511 $1,003,374 $1,064,450 $1,123,750 Total Revenues $31,895,101 $38,648,692 $38,840,329 $40,922,890 $39,893,370 $39,002,170 39M
Revenues by Fund
Consolidated Summary of Resources & Appropriations
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
371
Revenues by Fund Type
Historical Revenues by Fund Type
SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS GENERAL FUND
FY27 Revenues by Fund Type
GENERAL FUND $30,072,225 77.10%
SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS $8,929,945 22.90%
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
GENERAL FUND $24,542,009 $26,735,460 $28,051,009 $31,686,021 $29,870,100 $30,072,225 SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS $7,353,092 $11,913,232 $10,789,320 $9,236,870 $10,023,270 $8,929,945 Total Revenues $31,895,101 $38,648,692 $38,840,329 $40,922,890 $39,893,370 $39,002,170 $32M$32M$32M
$39M$39M $39M $39M$39M $39M $41M$41M $41M $40M$40M $40M $39M$39M $39M FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $20M
$40M
$60M
39M
Revenues by Fund Type
Consolidated Summary of Resources & Appropriations
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
372
Expenditures by Fund
Historical Expenditures by Fund
TRAFFIC CONGESTION RLF TECHNOLOGY FUND INTEGRATED WASTE MGMT
DEVELOPMENT IMPACT PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS OTHER GRANTS
AQMD MEASURE M AV AQUATIC CENTER
SB1-RMRA GAS TAX FEDERAL GRANTS
AV CENTER GENERAL FUND
FY27 Expenditures by Fund
GENERAL FUND $29,858,601 74.62%
AV CENTER $2,828,330 7.07%
MEASURE M $1,967,885 4.92%
GAS TAX $1,358,270 3.39%
AV AQUATIC CENTER $1,123,750 2.81%
SB1-RMRA $1,105,000 2.76%
DEVELOPMENT IMPACT $824,802 2.06%
FEDERAL GRANTS $337,619 0.84%
PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS $242,255 0.61%
OTHER GRANTS $137,946 0.34%
TECHNOLOGY FUND $121,545 0.30%
INTEGRATED WASTE MGMT $108,000 0.27%
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
GENERAL FUND $21,093,297 $22,889,693 $24,595,341 $25,139,451 $29,132,563 $29,858,601 TRAFFIC CONGESTION RLF $11,769 $16,567 - - - -
$31M$31M$31M $35M$35M $35M $33M$33M $33M $32M$32M $32M
$42M$42M $42M $40M$40M $40M
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $20M
$40M
$60M
40M
Expenditures by Fund
Consolidated Summary of Resources & Appropriations
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
373
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
GAS TAX $1,162,911 $1,413,179 $1,311,251 $1,125,975 $1,465,270 $1,358,270 MEASURE M $398,961 $1,415,248 $207,157 $757,795 $1,565,984 $1,967,885 SB1-RMRA $944,154 $1,323,100 $987,228 $84,914 $3,180,000 $1,105,000 PUBLIC SAFETY GRANTS $164,879 $123,925 $120,798 $125,409 $186,677 $242,255 AQMD - - - - $1,422,918 -
INTEGRATED WASTE MGMT $15,184 $8,281 $50,910 $62,347 $180,000 $108,000 OTHER GRANTS $348,569 $38,792 $128,345 $295,320 $365,620 $137,946 TECHNOLOGY FUND $24,832 $30,216 $44,762 $65,853 $130,200 $121,545 DEVELOPMENT IMPACT - $39,095 - - - $824,802
FEDERAL GRANTS $3,007,233 $3,200,845 $547,060 $199,515 $630,848 $337,619 AV CENTER $2,686,733 $3,489,127 $3,721,550 $3,193,144 $2,630,000 $2,828,330 AV AQUATIC CENTER $1,170,132 $1,088,352 $1,098,511 $1,003,374 $1,064,450 $1,123,750 Total Expenditures $31,028,653 $35,076,421 $32,812,912 $32,053,096 $41,954,530 $40,014,003 Expenditures by Fund Type
Historical Expenditures by Fund Type
SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS GENERAL FUND
FY27 Expenditures by Fund Type
GENERAL FUND $29,858,601 74.62%
SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS $10,155,402 25.38%
$31M$31M$31M $35M$35M $35M $33M$33M $33M $32M$32M $32M
$42M$42M $42M $40M$40M $40M
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $20M
$40M
$60M
40M
Consolidated Summary of Resources & Appropriations
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
374
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
GENERAL FUND $21,093,297 $22,889,693 $24,595,341 $25,139,451 $29,132,563 $29,858,601 SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS $9,935,357 $12,186,727 $8,217,571 $6,913,645 $12,821,967 $10,155,402 Total Expenditures $31,028,653 $35,076,421 $32,812,912 $32,053,096 $41,954,530 $40,014,003 Fund Balance
Fund Balance Projections
GENERAL FUND SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS
Expenditures by Fund Type
$36M$36M $36M $40M$40M $40M
$46M$46M $46M
$55M$55M$55M $53M$53M $53M $52M$52M $52M
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $20M
$40M
$60M
Consolidated Summary of Resources & Appropriations
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
375
GENERAL FUND
Revenues vs Expenditures Summary
Comprehensive Fund Summary
Revenue Actual Revenue Budgeted Expenditures Actual
Expenditures Budgeted
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
0 $10M
$20M
$30M
$40M
Comprehensive Fund Summary
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
Beginning Fund Balance $27,131,457 $30,580,169 $34,426,099 $37,881,758 $44,442,236 $45,179,773 Revenues
TAXES $18,420,699 $19,063,829 $21,634,911 $24,880,722 $24,775,100 $25,261,000 LICENSE & PERMIT FEES $714,168 $876,077 $785,622 $1,227,831 $1,242,900 $1,281,100 FINES & FORFEITURES $173,133 $227,896 $296,431 $293,288 $255,000 $235,000 USE OF MONEY & PROPERTY $1,150,007 $1,872,495 $2,261,097 $3,501,137 $2,532,125 $2,426,514 INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE $64,675 $65,302 $156,612 $113,190 $100,397 $85,000 CURRENT SERVICE CHARGES $331,424 $506,699 $455,008 $125,981 $92,100 $68,900 OTHER REVENUES $70,271 $320,064 $906,111 $669,758 $414,500 $355,500 TRANSFERS IN $3,617,632 $3,803,096 $1,555,219 $874,114 $457,978 $359,211 Total Revenues $24,542,009 $26,735,460 $28,051,009 $31,686,021 $29,870,100 $30,072,225 Expenditures
PERSONNEL - WAGES & SALARIES $3,196,077 $3,451,752 $4,044,900 $3,679,814 $4,108,085 $4,419,550 PERSONNEL - BENEFITS $1,333,432 $1,441,620 $1,561,009 $1,576,826 $1,731,263 $1,847,868 PROFESSIONAL & TECH. SERVICES $9,971,556 $10,720,425 $10,504,784 $10,800,844 $12,117,623 $12,837,962 OPERATING EXPENDITURES $946,930 $1,020,188 $1,269,198 $1,318,550 $1,471,303 $1,509,156 OTHER SERVICES $1,305,691 $1,667,997 $1,607,806 $1,412,927 $1,700,948 $1,921,389 SUPPLIES $97,391 $113,344 $87,883 $79,394 $146,732 $154,331 CONTRACT SERVICES $2,866,747 $3,152,705 $4,437,241 $5,218,578 $5,863,709 $5,963,645 CAPITAL OUTLAY $2,205 $0 $0 $9,000 $50,000 $0
TRANSFERS OUT $1,351,135 $1,321,571 $1,082,520 $1,043,519 $1,942,900 $1,204,700 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT $22,134 $92 $0 $0 $0 $0
General Fund
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
376
General Fund
General Fund Historical Revenues
GENERAL FUND
Sources of Revenue
Historical Revenues
INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE FINES & FORFEITURES CURRENT SERVICE CHARGES
OTHER REVENUES LICENSE & PERMIT FEES TRANSFERS IN
USE OF MONEY & PROPERTY TAXES
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
Total Expenditures $21,093,297 $22,889,693 $24,595,341 $25,139,451 $29,132,563 $29,858,601 Total Revenues Less Expenditures $3,448,712 $3,845,766 $3,455,668 $6,546,569 $737,537 $213,624 Ending Fund Balance $30,580,169 $34,425,936 $37,881,767 $44,428,327 $45,179,773 $45,393,397 $25M$25M$25M $27M$27M $27M $28M$28M $28M
$32M$32M $32M $30M$30M $30M $30M$30M $30M
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $10M
$20M
$30M
$40M
$25M$25M$25M $27M$27M $27M $28M$28M $28M
$32M$32M $32M $30M$30M $30M $30M$30M $30M
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $10M
$20M
$30M
$40M
General Fund
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
377
FY27 Revenues by Revenue Category
TAXES $25,261,000 84.00%
USE OF MONEY & PROPERTY $2,426,514 8.07%
LICENSE & PERMIT FEES $1,281,100 4.26%
TRANSFERS IN $359,211 1.19%
OTHER REVENUES $355,500 1.18%
FINES & FORFEITURES $235,000 0.78%
INTERGOVERNMENTAL
REVENUE
$85,000 0.28%
CURRENT SERVICE CHARGES $68,900 0.23%
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
TAXES
CURRENT - SECURED $2,893,161 $3,023,925 $3,164,983 $3,292,803 $3,310,000 $3,450,000 CURRENT - UNSECURED $90,637 $89,462 $96,534 $108,532 $95,000 $120,000 PRIOR YEAR TAXES $28,433 $25,491 $28,563 $32,509 $25,000 $25,000 SUPPLEMENTAL ROLL $68,707 $132,555 $84,846 $85,617 $60,000 $80,000
MISCELLANEOUS
PROPERTY TAX $2,860 $12,847 $23,726 $24,726 $1,000 $1,000 PROPERTY TAX IN LIEU $5,648,353 $5,894,667 $6,137,336 $6,420,700 $6,600,000 $6,600,000
REAL PROPERTY
TRANSFER TAX $466,032 $267,009 $314,814 $259,649 $175,000 $200,000
HOMEOWNER PROP TAX
RELIEF $13,555 $13,570 $13,064 $12,913 $13,000 $13,000
GENERAL SALES TAX $6,117,932 $6,244,171 $8,359,623 $11,154,921 $11,220,000 $11,400,000 FRANCHISE-ELECTRIC $446,977 $617,070 $638,922 $665,270 $678,000 $677,000 FRANCHISE-GAS $92,098 $120,084 $170,479 $99,463 $102,000 $115,000 FRANCHISE-CABLE TV $537,489 $475,687 $409,607 $370,921 $323,000 $285,000
FRANCHISE-WASTE
COLLECTION $451,640 $471,816 $511,968 $532,118 $533,000 $600,000 FRANCHISE-OTHER $108,537 $57,342 $62,636 $71,088 - $50,000 COUNTY FIRE TAX CREDIT $315 $105 - - $100 -
PUBLIC UTILITY TAX $40,900 $47,503 $47,237 $49,754 $40,000 $45,000
TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY
TAX $1,413,074 $1,570,525 $1,570,575 $1,699,738 $1,600,000 $1,600,000 Total TAXES $18,420,699 $19,063,829 $21,634,911 $24,880,722 $24,775,100 $25,261,000
LICENSE & PERMIT FEES
BUILDING PERMITS $279,321 $140,589 $100,510 $526,431 $605,300 $900,000 ELECTRICAL PERMITS $75,694 $3,206 -$259 $2,636 $1,000 $85,000 PLUMBING PERMITS $81,737 $94,636 $82,556 $89,041 $75,000 $85,000
30.1M
Detailed Revenues
General Fund
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
378
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
MECHANICAL PERMITS $79,704 $87,969 $91,589 $83,584 $85,000 $85,000 C & D PERMITS $25,206 $23,497 $27,269 $27,833 $25,000 $25,000 AUP $3,402 - - - - -
TUP $1,167 $607 $653 $3,354 $600 $600
EXCEPTION PERMIT $5,289 $3,154 $848 $1,472 $1,000 $1,000 ZONING/HOA/REVIEW $2,034 $1,135 $1,152 $915 $1,000 $1,000 SIGNAGE $4,957 $5,663 $3,087 $5,336 $4,000 $3,500
RE-INSP/SPECIAL INSP
PERMITS $198 $344 $250 $1,541 - -
USE PERMIT $41,543 $53,002 $40,571 $34,270 $40,000 $40,000 ISSUANCE FEE $96,913 $450,892 $433,218 $448,158 $400,000 $50,000 MASSAGE LICENSE FEES - $227 - $251 - -
WATER QUALITY $17,004 $11,158 $4,179 $3,010 $5,000 $5,000 Total LICENSE & PERMIT
FEES $714,168 $876,077 $785,622 $1,227,831 $1,242,900 $1,281,100
FINES & FORFEITURES
VEHICLE CODE FINES $75,160 $70,350 $79,473 $108,514 $75,000 $100,000 PARKING CITATIONS $97,973 $157,546 $216,957 $184,774 $180,000 $135,000 Total FINES & FORFEITURES $173,133 $227,896 $296,431 $293,288 $255,000 $235,000
USE OF MONEY & PROPERTY
INVESTMENT EARNINGS -$318,666 $321,058 $708,216 $2,134,362 $1,100,000 $1,100,000 FACILITY RENTAL - - - $6,533 $22,500 $27,000
PROGRAM REVENUE - $18,156 - - - -
INTEREST REVENUE -
LEASE $1,669 $771 $4,200 $3,729 $982 -
RENT-CITY HALL LEASE $198,248 $225,898 $205,993 $169,847 $148,643 $85,514 FACILITY RENTAL $441,263 $476,386 $523,836 $445,859 $500,000 $470,000 OTHER INCOME $58,810 $55,494 $67,191 $68,603 $90,000 $72,500 PROGRAM REVENUE $205 $410 $3,976 $6,765 $3,500 $10,000
CONTRACT CLASSES $651,471 $665,316 $608,509 $531,450 $550,000 $540,000 CITY CAMP REVENUE $108,538 $98,776 $129,795 $128,385 $110,000 $115,000 REFUNDS $8,470 $10,230 $9,381 $5,603 $6,500 $6,500
Total USE OF MONEY &
PROPERTY $1,150,007 $1,872,495 $2,261,097 $3,501,137 $2,532,125 $2,426,514
INTERGOVERNMENTAL
REVENUE
MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE
FEE $57,547 $53,145 $64,044 $81,664 $79,826 $75,000
STATE MANDATED REIMB. $7,128 $12,157 $92,568 $31,526 $20,571 $10,000 Total INTERGOVERNMENTAL
REVENUE $64,675 $65,302 $156,612 $113,190 $100,397 $85,000
CURRENT SERVICE
CHARGES
SALES OF PUBLICATIONS $3 - - - - -
ENGINEERING FEES $3,943 $6,936 $13,589 $11,183 $3,000 $5,000 TRANSPORTATION PERMIT $3,189 $2,926 $2,905 $1,634 $3,000 $1,300 ENCROACHMENT PERMITS $4,711 $5,527 $5,447 $2,885 $4,000 $4,000 WQMP $24,470 $23,393 $21,576 $18,840 $10,000 $10,000
PLANNING FEES $13,726 $7,986 $12,041 $14,828 $7,500 $10,000
ENVIRONMENTAL
FEES/CEQA $871 $1,003 $1,171 $1,103 $1,000 $1,000
GENERAL PLAN $11,511 $42,301 $35,110 $50,867 $30,000 $30,000
HOUSING
ADMINISTRATION - - - $5,113 - -
SPECIAL EVENTS FEES $893 $1,383 $2,000 $3,855 $1,000 $1,000 General Fund
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
379
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
SIDEWALK VENDOR
PERMIT $480 - - - - -
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION FEE $242 $1,792 $569 $211 $500 $500 PLAN CHECK FEES $228,512 $379,443 $342,593 $2,588 $20,000 $1,000 SMIP $111 $622 $339 $992 $750 $750
CASP CERT/TRNG $3,452 $3,602 $1,322 $1,498 $2,000 $2,000
BUILDING STANDARD FEE
(CBSC) $151 $292 $178 $373 $350 $350
SCANNING $23,354 $28,292 $11,851 $8,289 $5,000 $1,000
CODE ENFORCEMENT
CITATIONS $11,808 $1,200 $4,317 $1,724 $4,000 $1,000
Total CURRENT SERVICE
CHARGES $331,424 $506,699 $455,008 $125,981 $92,100 $68,900
OTHER REVENUES
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY FEE $49,541 $62,923 $54,588 $59,002 $49,000 $50,000
MISCELLANEOUS
REVENUE $16,525 $244,782 $592,075 $275,030 $66,000 $10,500
ADMINISTRATIVE
REVENUE $4,080 $12,233 $8,759 $13,182 $22,000 $22,000
RETURNED CHECK
CHARGES $125 $125 - - - -
FARM RENTAL REVENUE - - $250,689 $322,544 $277,500 $273,000 Total OTHER REVENUES $70,271 $320,064 $906,111 $669,758 $414,500 $355,500
TRANSFERS IN
INTERFUND TRANSFERS $3,348,755 $3,803,096 $1,552,629 $874,114 $457,978 $359,211 INTERFUND TRANSFERS $268,877 - $2,590 - - -
Total TRANSFERS IN $3,617,632 $3,803,096 $1,555,219 $874,114 $457,978 $359,211 Total Revenues $24,542,009 $26,735,460 $28,051,009 $31,686,021 $29,870,100 $30,072,225 General Fund Expenditures
General Fund Historical Expenditures
GENERAL FUND
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
GENERAL FUND $21,093,297 $22,889,693 $24,595,341 $25,139,451 $29,132,563 $29,858,601 Total Expenditures $21,093,297 $22,889,693 $24,595,341 $25,139,451 $29,132,563 $29,858,601 $21M$21M$21M $23M$23M $23M $25M$25M $25M $25M$25M $25M
$29M$29M $29M $30M$30M $30M
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $10M
$20M
$30M
$40M
Total General Fund Expenditures
General Fund
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
380
Expenditures by Function
Historical Expenditures by Function
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT TRANSFERS OUT PUBLIC WORKS
RECREATION & COMMUNITY
SERVICES
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT
PUBLIC SAFETY
FY27 Expenditures by Function
PUBLIC SAFETY $12,372,230 41.44%
ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT $5,467,202 18.31%
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
$5,403,575 18.10%
RECREATION & COMMUNITY
SERVICES
$3,226,059 10.80%
PUBLIC WORKS $2,184,835 7.32%
TRANSFERS OUT $1,204,700 4.03%
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
ADMINISTRATION &
SUPPORT $4,283,890 $4,898,540 $5,056,226 $4,436,530 $5,102,514 $5,467,202
COMMUNITY AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT $1,952,632 $2,495,596 $3,982,795 $4,785,189 $5,373,898 $5,403,575
RECREATION & COMMUNITY
SERVICES $2,324,010 $2,471,198 $2,743,811 $2,743,808 $3,021,207 $3,226,059 PUBLIC WORKS $1,818,972 $1,664,540 $1,724,590 $1,668,271 $2,022,627 $2,184,835 $21M$21M$21M $23M$23M $23M $25M$25M $25M $25M$25M $25M
$29M$29M $29M $30M$30M $30M
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $10M
$20M
$30M
$40M
29.9M
Expenditures by Function
General Fund
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
381
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
PUBLIC SAFETY $9,340,524 $10,038,157 $10,005,400 $10,462,135 $11,669,417 $12,372,230 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT $22,134 $92 - - - -
TRANSFERS OUT $1,351,135 $1,321,571 $1,082,520 $1,043,519 $1,942,900 $1,204,700 Total Expenditures $21,093,297 $22,889,693 $24,595,341 $25,139,451 $29,132,563 $29,858,601 Note: Transfers Out includes $656,450 to the City's Debt Service Fund, $247,500 to the Capital Improvement Fund, and $300,750 to the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center Fund.
Expenditures by Expense Type
Historical Expenditures by Expense Type
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT CAPITAL OUTLAY SUPPLIES
OPERATING EXPENDITURES TRANSFERS OUT PERSONNEL - BENEFITS
OTHER SERVICES PERSONNEL - WAGES & SALARIES CONTRACT SERVICES PROFESSIONAL & TECH. SERVICES
$21M$21M$21M $23M$23M $23M $25M$25M $25M $25M$25M $25M
$29M$29M $29M $30M$30M $30M
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $10M
$20M
$30M
$40M
General Fund
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
382
FY27 Expenditures by Expense Type
PROFESSIONAL & TECH.
SERVICES
$12,837,962 43.00%
CONTRACT SERVICES $5,963,645 19.97%
PERSONNEL - WAGES &
SALARIES
$4,419,550 14.80%
OTHER SERVICES $1,921,389 6.43%
PERSONNEL - BENEFITS $1,847,868 6.19%
OPERATING EXPENDITURES $1,509,156 5.05%
TRANSFERS OUT $1,204,700 4.03%
SUPPLIES $154,331 0.52%
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
PERSONNEL - WAGES &
SALARIES $3,196,077 $3,451,752 $4,044,900 $3,679,814 $4,108,085 $4,419,550 PERSONNEL - BENEFITS $1,333,432 $1,441,620 $1,561,009 $1,576,826 $1,731,263 $1,847,868 PROFESSIONAL & TECH.
SERVICES $9,971,556 $10,720,425 $10,504,784 $10,800,844 $12,117,623 $12,837,962 OPERATING EXPENDITURES $946,930 $1,020,188 $1,269,198 $1,318,550 $1,471,303 $1,509,156 OTHER SERVICES $1,305,691 $1,667,997 $1,607,806 $1,412,927 $1,700,948 $1,921,389 SUPPLIES $97,391 $113,344 $87,883 $79,394 $146,732 $154,331 CONTRACT SERVICES $2,866,747 $3,152,705 $4,437,241 $5,218,578 $5,863,709 $5,963,645 CAPITAL OUTLAY $2,205 - - $9,000 $50,000 -
TRANSFERS OUT $1,351,135 $1,321,571 $1,082,520 $1,043,519 $1,942,900 $1,204,700 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT $22,134 $92 - - - -
Total Expenditures $21,093,297 $22,889,693 $24,595,341 $25,139,451 $29,132,563 $29,858,601
29.9M
Expenditures by Expense Type
General Fund
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
383
Fund Balance
Fund Balance Projections
GENERAL FUND
Fund Balance FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 GENERAL FUND $30,580,169 $34,426,099 $37,881,758 $44,442,236 $45,179,773 $45,393,397 Total Fund Balance $30,580,169 $34,426,099 $37,881,758 $44,442,236 $45,179,773 $45,393,397 $31M$31M$31M $34M$34M $34M $38M$38M $38M
$44M$44M $44M $45M$45M $45M $45M$45M $45M
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $20M
$40M
$60M
Financial Summary
General Fund
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
384
Departments Summary
Organizational Structure
Authorized Full-Time Positions by Department
Department Authorized Full-Time Positions
City Manager 2.0
Community & Economic Development 5.0
Finance 4.0
Government Services 3.0
Human Resources 1.0
Information Technology 3.0
Public Works 4.0
Recreation & Community Services 7.0
Total 29.0
Organization Chart
Residents of Aliso Viejo
Aliso Viejo City Council
City Attorney City Manager
Human Resources
Employee Relations
Recruitment
Financial Services
Budget
Accounting & FinancialReporting
Purchasing
Treasury
Information Technology
Software Maintenance
Hardware Maintenance
Cyber Security
Recreation & CommunityServices
Recreation Activities
Recreation Facilities
Special Events
Community & EconomicDevelopment
Planning
Building & Safety
Code Enforcement
Economic Development
Public Works
Engineering
Street & BuildingMaintenance
EnvironmentalCompliance
Capital Improvement
Public Safety
Law Enforcement
Emergency OperationsManagement
Animal Control
Crime Prevention
Director of GovernmentServices/City Clerk
Departments Summary
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
385
Administration and Support
The City's Administration and Support Function includes the City Council, City Manager's Office, Human Resources, Government Services, City Attorney, Financial Services, Information Technology, Central Services, and maintenance of City Hall.
Expenditure Summary
Historical Expenditures
Expenditures by Department
Historical Expenditures by Department
CITY COUNCIL HUMAN RESOURCES CITY ATTORNEY
CITY CLERK CITY MANAGER NON-DEPARTMENTAL
FINANCE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Expenditures Actual Expenditures Budgeted
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $1M
$2M
$3M
$4M
$5M
$6M
$4M$4M $4M
$5M$5M$5M $5M$5M$5M
$4M$4M $4M
$5M$5M$5M $5M$5M$5M
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $2M
$4M
$6M
Administration and Support
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
386
FY27 Expenditures by Department
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY $1,088,168 19.90%
NON-DEPARTMENTAL $1,009,580 18.47%
FINANCE $1,001,225 18.31%
CITY CLERK $792,726 14.50%
CITY MANAGER $683,755 12.51%
CITY ATTORNEY $443,000 8.10%
HUMAN RESOURCES $240,763 4.40%
CITY COUNCIL $207,985 3.80%
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
CITY COUNCIL $184,762 $183,014 $180,466 $182,269 $207,560 $207,985 CITY MANAGER $686,092 $742,137 $1,008,952 $617,526 $616,610 $683,755 HUMAN RESOURCES $161,248 $184,192 $189,435 $162,404 $210,864 $240,763 CITY CLERK $424,599 $532,489 $514,263 $465,591 $613,143 $792,726 CITY ATTORNEY $622,995 $770,164 $486,548 $351,976 $482,500 $443,000 FINANCE $667,581 $821,193 $776,072 $885,345 $962,140 $1,001,225
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY $864,958 $917,195 $1,090,498 $986,561 $1,065,320 $1,088,168 NON-DEPARTMENTAL $671,655 $748,155 $809,992 $784,859 $944,377 $1,009,580 Total Expenditures $4,283,890 $4,898,540 $5,056,226 $4,436,530 $5,102,514 $5,467,202
5.47M
Expenditures by Department
Administration and Support
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
387
Expenditures by Expense Type
Historical Expenditures by Expense Type
SUPPLIES CONTRACT SERVICES OPERATING EXPENDITURES
OTHER SERVICES PROFESSIONAL & TECH. SERVICES PERSONNEL - BENEFITS
PERSONNEL - WAGES & SALARIES
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
PERSONNEL - WAGES &
SALARIES $1,583,616 $1,756,546 $2,083,847 $1,700,617 $1,924,335 $2,113,600 PERSONNEL - BENEFITS $750,389 $835,670 $864,656 $864,948 $932,937 $1,006,188 PROFESSIONAL & TECH.
SERVICES $760,486 $700,692 $714,323 $659,178 $767,987 $749,617 OPERATING EXPENDITURES $457,571 $539,336 $564,485 $508,973 $578,143 $605,006 OTHER SERVICES $454,307 $659,051 $698,647 $635,990 $751,126 $861,205 SUPPLIES $34,993 $45,242 $32,935 $27,810 $46,486 $54,086 CONTRACT SERVICES $242,528 $362,003 $97,332 $39,013 $101,500 $77,500 Total Expenditures $4,283,890 $4,898,540 $5,056,226 $4,436,530 $5,102,514 $5,467,202 $4M$4M $4M
$5M$5M$5M $5M$5M$5M
$4M$4M $4M
$5M$5M$5M $5M$5M$5M
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $2M
$4M
$6M
Expenditures by Expense Type
Administration and Support
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
388
City Council
The City Council is elected by the citizens of Aliso Viejo to serve as the legislative body of the City. The City Council establishes policies reflecting the needs and priorities of the community, adopts laws and regulations to govern Aliso Viejo, and provides direction to the City Manager to maintain the quality of municipal services with fiscally sustainable decisions.
Council members also represent the City on various intergovernmental organizations to achieve governmental cooperation, support legislation and create programs that are consistent with the needs of the community.
The operating costs for the City Council are mainly comprised of Council stipend and benefits, and meeting and conference costs related to various governmental organizations.
Staff Summary
Elected Officials 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
Mayor 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Mayor Pro Tem 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
City Council Members 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0
Total 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
Expenditure Summary
Historical Expenditures Across Department
Expenditures Actual Expenditures Budgeted
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $50K
$100K
$150K
$200K
$250K
City Council
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
389
Expenditures by Expense Type
Historical Expenditures by Expense Type
SUPPLIES OTHER SERVICES PERSONNEL - WAGES & SALARIES
PERSONNEL - BENEFITS
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
PERSONNEL - WAGES &
SALARIES
CITY COUNCIL
COMPENSATION $31,200 $31,502 $31,200 $31,720 $31,200 $31,200 Total PERSONNEL - WAGES
& SALARIES $31,200 $31,502 $31,200 $31,720 $31,200 $31,200
PERSONNEL - BENEFITS
RETIREMENT $5,213 $5,275 $5,314 $5,408 $5,575 $6,000
FICA/MEDICARE $1,723 $1,647 $2,244 $2,205 $2,405 $2,405 STATE UNEMPMNT INS $686 $662 $1,074 $208 $725 $725
MEDICAL INSURANCE $37,972 $40,358 $3,360 $1,890 - -
DENTAL INSURANCE $3,630 $3,546 - - - -
VISION INSURANCE $471 $471 - - - -
BENEFIT CASH OUT $87,645 $82,099 $127,183 $122,742 $134,555 $134,555 Total PERSONNEL -
BENEFITS $137,340 $134,057 $139,175 $132,454 $143,260 $143,685
OTHER SERVICES
ADVERTISING $725 $350 $701 $793 $1,000 $1,000
AWARDS & RECOG. $158 $141 $126 $158 $500 $500
COMMUNICATION $2,966 $2,713 $3,082 $2,156 $3,600 $3,600 COUNCIL EVENTS - - - - $1,100 $1,100
MTGS/CONF/TRNG $11,774 $13,096 $6,152 $13,555 $25,000 $25,000 MEMBERSHIP & DUES $150 $375 - - $500 $500
Total OTHER SERVICES $15,773 $16,676 $10,060 $16,662 $31,700 $31,700
SUPPLIES
SUPPLIES $449 $779 $31 $1,433 $1,400 $1,400
Total SUPPLIES $449 $779 $31 $1,433 $1,400 $1,400
Total Expenditures $184,762 $183,014 $180,466 $182,269 $207,560 $207,985 $185K$185K $185K $183K$183K $183K $180K$180K $180K $182K$182K $182K $208K$208K $208K $208K$208K $208K
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $100K
$200K
$300K
Expenditures by Expense Type
City Council
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
390
City Manager
The City Manager is responsible for the general management of all City operations and personnel. This responsibility includes administering City contracts and agreements, advising the City Council on legislative and administrative concerns, overseeing intergovernmental relations, public relations, providing fiscal management, and ensuring that all City operations are conducted economically, efficiently, and effectively. Operating costs for the City Manager Department include memberships, meetings, and conference costs related to professional organizations.
Staff Summary
Authorized Positions (FTE) 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
City Manager 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Management Analyst 1.0 1.0 1.0 - -
Executive Assistant 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Total 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.0 2.0
Expenditure Summary
Historical Expenditures
Expenditures Actual Expenditures Budgeted
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $250K
$500K
$750K
$1,000K
$1,250K
City Manager
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
391
Expenditures by Expense Type
Historical Expenditures by Expense Type
SUPPLIES OTHER SERVICES PERSONNEL - BENEFITS
PERSONNEL - WAGES & SALARIES
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
PERSONNEL - WAGES &
SALARIES
REGULAR EMPLOYEES $478,757 $521,584 $797,529 $399,846 $392,000 $446,000 PART TIME WAGES $1,508 - $4 $1,012 - -
OVERTIME PAY $10,054 $665 $1,701 $2,050 $8,000 $8,000
LEAVE CASH OUT - - - $10,769 $13,100 $13,100
Total PERSONNEL - WAGES
& SALARIES $490,320 $522,249 $799,235 $413,677 $413,100 $467,100
PERSONNEL - BENEFITS
RETIREMENT $77,020 $86,634 $83,007 $82,443 $98,175 $100,875 FICA/MEDICARE $7,845 $8,278 $12,471 $7,066 $6,025 $7,500 STATE UNEMPMNT INS $467 $441 $630 $485 $355 $355
MEDICAL INSURANCE $37,645 $35,446 $32,572 $16,531 $13,270 $45,000 DENTAL INSURANCE $3,004 $2,574 $1,670 $1,121 $790 $1,450 VISION INSURANCE $437 $368 $273 $173 $115 $355
LIFE INSURANCE $1,942 $2,118 $1,865 $1,870 $1,805 $2,500 FLEX BENEFITS - $385 $567 - - -
BENEFIT CASH OUT $40,860 $55,049 $56,374 $72,146 $52,320 $27,880 VEHICLE/CELL $12,395 $12,545 $10,123 $8,446 $9,300 $1,800 Total PERSONNEL -
BENEFITS $181,614 $203,837 $199,552 $190,281 $182,155 $187,715
OTHER SERVICES
COMMUNICATION $1,092 $2,202 $1,743 $1,402 $1,650 $1,650 POSTAGE - $22 - - - -
MTGS/CONF/TRNG $7,878 $8,545 $4,397 $8,993 $14,515 $14,515 MEMBERSHIP & DUES $3,641 $3,587 $2,817 $2,710 $2,590 $2,675 Total OTHER SERVICES $12,611 $14,356 $8,957 $13,105 $18,755 $18,840
SUPPLIES
SUPPLIES $527 $202 $115 $46 $1,500 $1,500
PUBLICATIONS $1,020 $1,493 $1,093 $417 $1,100 $1,100
OPERATING SUPPLIES - - - - - $7,500
$686K$686K $686K $742K$742K $742K
$1,009K$1,009K $1,009K
$618K$618K $618K $617K$617K $617K $684K$684K $684K
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $500K
$1,000K
$1,500K
Expenditures by Expense Type
City Manager
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
392
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
Total SUPPLIES $1,547 $1,695 $1,208 $463 $2,600 $10,100 Total Expenditures $686,092 $742,137 $1,008,952 $617,526 $616,610 $683,755 City Manager
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
393
Human Resources
The Human Resources Division provides overall policy direction on human resource management issues and administrative support functions related to the management of employees for all City departments. These services include classification and compensation, recruitment, benefit administration, and employee development. Budget expenditures include costs associated with recruitment, such as software and background checks, training, and employee relations programs.
Staff Summary
Authorized Positions (FTE) 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
Human Resources Analyst 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 -
Human Resources Manager - - - - 1.0
Total 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Expenditure Summary
Historical Expenditures
Expenditures Actual Expenditures Budgeted
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $50K
$100K
$150K
$200K
$250K
$300K
Human Resources
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
394
Expenditures by Expense Type
Historical Expenditures by Expense Type
SUPPLIES OTHER SERVICES PROFESSIONAL & TECH. SERVICES
PERSONNEL - BENEFITS PERSONNEL - WAGES & SALARIES
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
PERSONNEL - WAGES &
SALARIES
REGULAR EMPLOYEES $88,307 $105,981 $111,818 $87,937 $121,500 $144,000 PART TIME WAGES $19,657 $3,566 - - - -
LEAVE CASH OUT - - $2,203 $2,264 $2,335 -
Total PERSONNEL - WAGES
& SALARIES $107,964 $109,546 $114,021 $90,202 $123,835 $144,000
PERSONNEL - BENEFITS
RETIREMENT $15,676 $13,663 $8,654 $7,186 $10,136 $15,876 FICA/MEDICARE $1,729 $1,836 $1,846 $1,555 $1,805 $2,500 STATE UNEMPMNT INS $255 $222 $161 $161 $176 $176
MEDICAL INSURANCE $4,059 $7,810 $9,076 $10,050 $10,380 $30,000 DENTAL INSURANCE $258 $567 $560 $560 $560 $2,405
VISION INSURANCE $61 $112 $112 $112 $115 $355
LIFE INSURANCE $343 $568 $615 $660 $765 $900
BENEFIT CASH OUT $10,680 $18,398 $18,004 $18,038 $17,990 $100 VEHICLE/CELL $150 - - - - -
Total PERSONNEL -
BENEFITS $33,213 $43,176 $39,027 $38,322 $41,927 $52,312 PROFESSIONAL & TECH.
SERVICES
OTHER CONTRACTUAL
SERVICES $7,917 $7,461 $21,250 $24,240 $26,151 $25,501
Total PROFESSIONAL &
TECH. SERVICES $7,917 $7,461 $21,250 $24,240 $26,151 $25,501
OTHER SERVICES
MTGS/CONF/TRNG $9,447 $21,507 $13,046 $8,485 $15,501 $15,500 MEMBERSHIP & DUES $720 $885 $498 $518 $1,050 $1,050
Total OTHER SERVICES $10,167 $22,392 $13,544 $9,004 $16,551 $16,550
SUPPLIES
SUPPLIES $855 $877 $951 $306 $1,400 $1,400
OPERATING SUPPLIES $1,133 $740 $641 $331 $1,000 $1,000
$161K$161K $161K $184K$184K $184K $189K$189K $189K
$162K$162K $162K
$211K$211K $211K
$241K$241K $241K
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $100K
$200K
$300K
Expenditures by Expense Type
Human Resources
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
395
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
Total SUPPLIES $1,988 $1,617 $1,592 $636 $2,400 $2,400
Total Expenditures $161,248 $184,192 $189,435 $162,404 $210,864 $240,763 Human Resources
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
396
Government Services
The Government Services Department supports municipal functions through the administration of legislation processes, election services, records management, public information, and communications. The City Clerk serves as the City's Election Official, Public Information Officer, Political Reform Act Filing Officer, Custodian of Records, and Compliance Officer. The Department conducts municipal elections and administers Political Reform Act requirements related to campaign disclosure statements, conflict of interest filings, and AB1243 ethics training. The City Clerk ensures meetings, agendas, minutes, reports, public notices, resolutions, and ordinances are prepared, posted, and published pursuant to all legal statutes, as well as attends, monitors, and retains complete records of City Council proceedings. The City Clerk ensures open and transparent access to the public through records-related services, including records management, retention, and Public Records Act programs. The Department also oversees the dissemination of timely and accurate public information about City operations, projects, policies, services, and programs through traditional media, social media, and online.
Operating expenditures for the Government Services Department are composed primarily of election costs, professional and contract services related to records retention, publication of legally required notices, and maintaining and updating the Municipal Code in compliance with legal requirements.
Staff Summary
Authorized Positions (FTE) 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
Director of Government Services 1.0 1.0 1.0 - 1.0
City Clerk - - - 1.0 -
Management Analyst - - - 1.0 1.0
Administrative Secretary/Office Specialist 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Office Assistant 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Total 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.5 3.5
Government Services
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
397
Expenditure Summary
Historical Expenditures
Expenditures by Expense Type
Historical Expenditures by Expense Type
SUPPLIES CONTRACT SERVICES OTHER SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL & TECH. SERVICES PERSONNEL - BENEFITS PERSONNEL - WAGES & SALARIES Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
PERSONNEL - WAGES &
SALARIES
REGULAR EMPLOYEES $238,381 $261,073 $293,659 $228,606 $356,000 $423,000 PART TIME WAGES $16,484 $21,246 $21,090 $22,999 $28,000 $30,000 OVERTIME PAY $64 $650 $649 $258 $2,000 $2,000
Expenditures Actual Expenditures Budgeted
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $200K
$400K
$600K
$800K
$1,000K
$425K$425K $425K
$532K$532K $532K $514K$514K $514K $466K$466K $466K
$613K$613K $613K
$793K$793K $793K
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $250K
$500K
$750K
$1,000K
Expenditures by Expense Type
Government Services
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
398
Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
LEAVE CASH OUT - - $4,800 $6,866 $5,200 $3,450
Total PERSONNEL - WAGES
& SALARIES $254,929 $282,969 $320,198 $258,729 $391,200 $458,450
PERSONNEL - BENEFITS
RETIREMENT $52,449 $59,175 $70,740 $57,193 $50,507 $96,090 FICA/MEDICARE $3,959 $4,340 $4,807 $4,008 $5,710 $7,830 STATE UNEMPMNT INS $604 $555 $679 $647 $706 $706
MEDICAL INSURANCE $29,848 $31,765 $35,591 $36,949 $39,860 $61,000 DENTAL INSURANCE $3,326 $3,238 $3,193 $2,935 $2,965 $3,855 VISION INSURANCE $466 $466 $466 $429 $435 $710
LIFE INSURANCE $1,296 $1,476 $1,547 $1,264 $2,250 $2,700 BENEFIT CASH OUT $18,213 $18,305 $16,952 $12,833 $44,160 $26,955 VEHICLE/CELL $900 $900 $2,220 $2,175 $1,800 $1,800
Total PERSONNEL -
BENEFITS $111,061 $120,220 $136,196 $118,433 $148,393 $201,646 PROFESSIONAL & TECH.
SERVICES
LEGAL NOTICES $10,993 $10,881 $5,285 $7,747 $8,500 $8,500 TECHNOLOGY SERVICES $34,625 $44,266 $36,400 $36,400 $38,420 $40,300
OTHER CONTRACTUAL
SERVICES $1,054 $660 $385 $350 $3,150 $3,150
Total PROFESSIONAL &
TECH. SERVICES $46,673 $55,807 $42,070 $44,497 $50,070 $51,950
OTHER SERVICES
AWARDS & RECOG. $670 $902 $921 $558 $1,000 $1,000
MTGS/CONF/TRNG $7,819 $9,765 $9,702 $7,040 $14,700 $14,700 MEMBERSHIP & DUES $1,020 $2,095 $1,625 $1,780 $2,680 $2,680 ELECTION - $55,786 $523 $31,083 - $57,000
Total OTHER SERVICES $9,509 $68,548 $12,770 $40,461 $18,380 $75,380
SUPPLIES
SUPPLIES $457 $509 $419 $707 $600 $800
PUBLICATIONS $44 - $427 $506 $500 $500
OPERATING SUPPLIES - $120 $120 $130 - -
Total SUPPLIES $501 $629 $965 $1,344 $1,100 $1,300
CONTRACT SERVICES
CODIFICATION $1,927 $4,316 $2,063 $2,127 $4,000 $4,000
Total CONTRACT SERVICES $1,927 $4,316 $2,063 $2,127 $4,000 $4,000 Total Expenditures $424,599 $532,489 $514,263 $465,591 $613,143 $792,726 Government Services
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
399
City Attorney
The City Attorney serves as the legal counsel to the City Council, City Manager, and City staff on all legal aspects of municipal operations. Legal services include legal advice and analysis, preparation of legislation including ordinances and resolutions, drafting or review of contracts and agreements, conducting research and supporting the City in litigation, civil and criminal actions, and code enforcement. Other services include keeping the City Council, City Manager, and staff advised of current laws affecting decisions and programs of the City. This service is provided through a contract with the law firm of Best Best & Krieger LLP.
City Attorney operating expenditures include services for contract development and negotiations, code enforcement issues, compliance with NPDES, litigation, employment law, and general guidance on all legal matters.
Staff Summary
Legal services are provided through contract services with Best Best, and Krieger, LLP.
Expenditure Summary
Historical Expenditures
Expenditures Actual Expenditures Budgeted
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $200K
$400K
$600K
$800K
$1,000K
City Attorney
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
400
Expenditures by Expense Type
Historical Expenditures by Expense Type
OTHER SERVICES CONTRACT SERVICES PROFESSIONAL & TECH. SERVICES Category FY 2022
Actual
FY 2023
Actual
FY 2024
Actual
FY 2025
Actual
FY 2026
Adjusted
FY 2027
Proposed
PROFESSIONAL & TECH.
SERVICES
LEGAL SERVICES $347,591 $322,367 $349,903 $289,800 $310,000 $319,500 Total PROFESSIONAL &
TECH. SERVICES $347,591 $322,367 $349,903 $289,800 $310,000 $319,500
OTHER SERVICES
SPECIAL PROJECTS $34,803 $90,110 $41,376 $25,290 $75,000 $50,000 Total OTHER SERVICES $34,803 $90,110 $41,376 $25,290 $75,000 $50,000
CONTRACT SERVICES
NPDES $743 $1,745 $2,110 $5,955 $5,000 $6,000
GENERAL PLAN - - $23,429 $7,919 $10,000 $10,000
ZONING CODE $4,470 $5,165 $1,690 $943 $7,500 $7,500
LITIGATION $235,388 $350,778 $68,040 $22,070 $75,000 $50,000 Total CONTRACT SERVICES $240,601 $357,687 $95,268 $36,886 $97,500 $73,500 Total Expenditures $622,995 $770,164 $486,548 $351,976 $482,500 $443,000 $623K$623K $623K
$770K$770K $770K
$487K$487K $487K
$352K$352K $352K
$483K$483K $483K $443K$443K $443K
FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 FY2027
0 $250K
$500K
$750K
$1,000K
Expenditures by Expense Type
City Attorney
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo
401
Financial Services
The Financial Services Department administers the financial operations of the City through Budgeting, Accounting, Treasury, Purchasing, and Payroll functions. This department is responsible for safeguarding the City's financial assets through prudent internal control policies, providing responsive accounting services within Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, providing strategic and financial planning support, and maintaining budgetary control over all City funds. The Financial Services Department is also responsible for the preparation and administration of the City's annual budget as well as the safety, liquidity, and maximization of the yields of the City's financial resources in accordance with the City's Investment Policy.
Specific functions include: annual financial report preparation, financial audits, treasury portfolio administration, ledger reconciliation, recordation of City revenues, banking services, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets management, budget development, and maintenance of the financial system.
Financial Services' operating costs are primarily comprised of contractual services related to the annual audit and financial review, property and sales tax monitoring, and fiscal analysis and strategic planning. Included are meeting and conference costs related to staff development and technology costs related to payroll services and financial software support.
Staff Summary
Authorized Positions (FTE) 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
Director of Financial Services/City Treasurer 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 Financial Services Manager - - - - -
Accounting Supervisor 1.0 1.0 - - -
Senior Accountant - - 1.0 1.0 1.0
Accountant/Payroll 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Accounting Technician 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Office Assistant 0.2 0.2 - - -
Total 4.2 4.2 4.0 4.0 4.0
Financial Services
FY 2026-27 BUDGET | Aliso Viejo