City Council
Meeting Time: 06-11-24 18:00
eComments Report
Meetings Meeting
Time
Agenda
Items
Comments Support Oppose Neutral
City Council 06-11-24
18:00
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City Council
06-11-24 18:00
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
At this time, members of the public may address the Council on matters not listed on the agenda within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, provided that NO action may be taken on off-agenda items unless authorized by law. Public Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker unless a different time limit is announced. 1 0 1 0
8.1. Consider potential sales tax measure scenarios and provide direction to City staff.
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Agenda Item: eComments for 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
At this time, members of the public may address the Council on matters not listed on the agenda within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, provided that NO action may be taken on off-agenda items unless authorized by law. Public Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker unless a different time limit is announced.
Reggie Mundekis
Location:
Submitted At: 12:25pm 06-11-24
Regarding new EIR for Orange Hills Irvine Company project I am concerned by calls for a new EIR for said project given over 15 years have passed since the project was approved and Irvine Company is now building on their entitled land. Requiring a new EIR or significant environmental studies may interfere with exercise of entitlements and could become a taking under certain circumstances. Not allowing Orange Hills to be built as entitled causes problems with the Housing Element. If Orange Hills is removed from the Housing Element,
replacement housing must be built in East Orange and not other parts of our City.
Agenda Item: eComments for 8.1. Consider potential sales tax measure scenarios and provide direction to City staff.
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 1:54pm 06-11-24
Mayor Dan Slater and Council members
Re: Agenda Item # 8.1
I write to you today on behalf of the Orange County Taxpayer Association (OC Tax), regarding the General Fund deficit, proposed tax increase measures and how OCTax can be a resource during these challenging times.
The discussions around the deficit have been concerning. Some council members have proclaimed entire departments as ‘sacred’ and refused to consider a potential hiring freeze or even cost reduction measures. Such an approach can cause the city to find itself heading towards an area where new taxes are seen as inevitable.
This is a position that OCTax strongly opposes.
At the same time, we have seen some positive suggestions from other council members on creative efforts to cut costs throughout the city. We would encourage you to consider all cost-saving measures, however tough they may be, and not take any city departments ‘off the table.’ Additionally, we believe in the strength of the Orange business community. The city boasts small mom-and-pop shops as well as thriving large businesses. Right now, they all have one thing in common – they’re facing a tough economy and high inflation. Businesses across the state are facing rising energy, labor and raw materials costs all leading to a precarious future. The City of Orange has a proud history of supporting its business community and finding solutions together. This is another one of those moments.
As a former 15-year resident of the City of Orange, I know the unique charm the city possesses, and I appreciate council’s efforts to preserve that small-town feel. Having experience both as a resident and as a former city commissioner, I know that there are always cost reductions that can be made, if the political will is there. I also appreciate the power of our business community and their revenue generation capacity, when given the opportunity to expand and deliver for residents.
At OCTax, we stand ready to work with you in a collaborative effort to get to the root cause of this deficit, reduce future costs, and work on an economic revitalization effort to bring new business and thereby new revenue into the city.
Everyone is feeling the pinch of inflation right now, the family budget as well as the business budget, and now is not the time to add to that burden. While we understand the need for increased revenue, raising taxes on small businesses and local families will continue to hurt our economy. Sales tax is a regressive tax, meaning those who can afford it the least will pay the highest price.
Thank you for your consideration.
-OC Tax
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 11:16am 06-10-24
The Council has a very difficult job in balancing the budget and I hope the Council can consider the proposed enhancements versus reductions for Orange Elderly Services, libraries, League of CA, SCAG, OCCOG and police & fire which in the short run reduce cost but in the long run could increase cost. Take Elderly Services alone could result in higher fire department cost as older adults would have less folks monitoring their health and wellbeing leading to possible higher 911 calls and emergency services.