Revised Fiscal Years
2025-2030 Citywide
Strategic Plan
Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Quarterly Update
No. 1
Table of Contents
01 City District Map
02 Executive Summary
03 Mission, Vision, Values
04 Goal Action Plan
06 Goal 1: Maintain Strong Emergency and Public Safety Services 08 Goal 2: Enhance Economic Development and Achieve Fiscal Stability 11 Goal 3: Enhance Quality of Life Through City Services 13 Goal 4: Improve Employee Retention and Recruitment
14 Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology 16 Goal 6: Ensure the Preservation of Historic Resources 1 The Orange City Council represents six districts with the Mayor serving at-large. As the City of Orange's elected body, the City Council represents the needs of individual districts while pursuing the betterment of the City of Orange as a whole.
Strategic plans are often the culmination of different, and at times, competing factors. On the one hand, effective strategic plans should identify clear goals and objectives that an agency intends to accomplish over a defined period. On the other hand, strategic plans should be flexible, avoiding a sole focus on the City’s immediate needs. This suggests that effective strategic plans are holistically constructed, reflecting a considered understanding of short and long-term needs, as well as the changing conditions that often drive the City’s focus and circumstances.
On November 26, 2024, the City Council adopted the Fiscal Years 2025-2030 Citywide Strategic Plan (Plan). As a part of the Plan’s adoption, staff committed to providing quarterly updates and holding a Strategic Planning Session (Session) at the beginning of the 2026 calendar year. To this end, staff presented quarterly updates to the City Council through the 2025 calendar year, and on February 5, 2026, the City Council held a Session at the Orange Main Branch Library and History Center to ensure the Plan remains pertinent to the Orange Community’s needs. The Session allowed the community, staff, and the City Council to engage in constructive dialogue that helped frame expectations for the Revised Fiscal Years 2025-2030 Citywide Strategic Plan (Revised Plan). On June 23rd, the City Council reviewed and approved the Revised Plan. As a part of the Revised Plan’s adoption, staff made a commitment to continue to provide quarterly updates to the City Council and community.
The Revised Plan quarterly updates include the Goal Action Plan with an additional column on the right hand side. This new column is entitled with the day that the respective updates are brought forward for City Council review. Although the Goal Action Plan is not an exhaustive objective list, it represents significant projects that will help the City take steps to achieve the six overarching community goals. Going forward, staff will continue to modify and update this column so the City may show which objectives have been completed, where progress has been made, and where the City is experiencing delays.
Executive Summary
2 The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors Mission
Orange is a city that celebrates its heritage, strives for high-quality service, and prepares for a vibrant future Vision
Teamwork
Working together to achieve common goals
Excellence
Demanding the best from ourselves and others in service to our community Accountability
We are accountable to the residents and taxpayers of the City of Orange and are committed to holding ourselves and each other to the highest moral and ethical standards of conduct and performance excellence
Transparency
We operate with openness and integrity to ensure our actions, processes, and the use of public resources are visible to the community we serve
Values
3 Mission Values
Goal Action Plan
Vision
4 The City's mission, vision, and values set the foundation of the Goal Action Plan The Goal Action Plan (GAP) is intended to guide the City Council and staff so the City of Orange may achieve the goals identified in the Revised Fiscal Years 2025-2030 Citywide Strategic Plan. As a part of the quarterly updates, the GAP identifies objectives, lead departments, implementation strategies, the funding status, as well as an update column so the City Council and public may know what recent actions have been taken to accomplish each objective.
The objectives detailed in the GAP include the following information to ensure the City achieves each goal in an orderly fashion.
Table Definitions:
Revised Fiscal Years 2025-2030 Citywide Strategic Plan Quarterly Update - Goal Action Plan 1 Goals - Overarching priorities the City Council identified and were further developed during the Strategic Planning Session. 2 Objective Number - Number to identify a particular objective with the first number aligning with the Goal number (e.g., Goal 2 would start with 2.1). 3 Lead Departments - The primary department(s) responsible for completing the objective. 4 Objective - Brief description of what the respective department(s) would like to achieve.
Description and Status - Additional information on what the objective entails and what the respective department(s) has done, or proposes to do, to complete the objective.
5 Funding Status - Identifies if the specific objective has been funded, partially funded, or is unfunded. If funding is not applicable to the specific objective, then the objective will state,“not applicable.”
6 5
7 October 13 Update- Identifies the significant and reportable progress made since June 23, 2026.
Objective
Number
Lead
Departments
Objective Description and Status Funding Status
October 13
Update
1.1 Fire
Enhance the ambulance
operator program
Hire additional ambulance operators and implement a self-funded ambulance operator program with revenues driven by demand Funded This project is complete
1.2 Fire
National Fire Protection
Association
Update annual physical requirements to comply with the National Fire Protection Association standards
Funded
This project is now fully funded
and in-progress
1.3 Fire
Fire Station
Maintenance
Ensure fire station general maintenance needs (paint and flooring) are addressed while budgeting for needed remodels and improvements (building additions, apparatus door replacement, and/or reroofing) Partially Funded
Flooring completed at fire
station 8 and fire station 3
Flooring at fire station 7 (second
floor) in progress
1.4 Fire
Signal Preemption
Installation
Continue to install traffic signals in front of City fire stations Funded Ongoing. No reportable
significant update(s) since June
GOAL 1: Maintain Strong Emergency and Public Safety Services 6 Objective
Number
Lead
Departments
Objective Description and Status
Funding
Status
October 13
Update
1.5 Fire
Fire Station
Relocations and
Frontline
Apparatus
Review the potential of relocating fire stations 3, 4,
and 5.
Add an additional frontline fire engine and 12
personnel to enhance emergency response.
Unfunded No reportable significant update(s) since June
1.6 Police
Technology
Enhancements
Support and enhance the Police Department’s use of
technology (e.g., ALPR and drones) as an additional
tool to continue to reduce and address crime
Develop policies for additional technologies asneeded
Partially
Funded
Two-year ALPR contract has been renewed and is valid through end of June 2028
The Skydio Drone as First Responder trial took place from September 1 - September 8th
st
Quotes have been received for building the infrastructure of a Real Time Crime Center, ALPR cameras, and various computer systems The CAD/RMS upgrade is progressing and nearing an updated go-live date
1.7 Police
Orange Police
Department
Building Updates
Construct improvements to the Field Services Division
and the Orange Police Department (Motors, Bikes,
and HEART)
Funded This phase of the project is complete with Phase III pending
1.8 Police/
Community and
Library Services
Addressing
Homelessness
Work with community partners to provide resources
and support to those experiencing homelessness,
thereby reducing the number of people experiencing
homelessness in Orange
Partially
Funded
Between June 23 - September 30, 59 people have been lodged at shelters and detox centers by the HEART Team
The HEART Team has developed community partnerships with the Carnegie Shelter in Santa Ana and HealthRight 360
The HUB Resource Center has hosted two Same Day Solutions fairs in Orange to offer shelter referrals, housing options, food, healthcare, employment resources, and court process assistance
Assemblymember Valencia secured $1 million to assist the HUB Resource Center with operational costs
GOAL 1: Maintain Strong Emergency and Public Safety Services 7 Objective
Number
Lead
Departments
Objective Description and Status
Funding
Status
October 13
Update
2.1 Community
Development
General Plan
Update
Process
Begin the process to update the City’s General Plan for 2030, incorporating a refined community vision and respond to changes in land use, circulation, infrastructure, public safety, and open space, while updating goals, policies, and implementation measures
Partially
Funded
No reportable significant update(s) since June
2.2 Community
Development
Meats to
Heim Specific
Plan
Develop a specific plan for the former Village at Orange Mall property to facilitate reinvestment and redevelopment as a mixed-use destination with an integrated blend of retail and residential uses
Funded
Community meeting is scheduled for October 15,
2026
2.3 Community
Development/
Public Works
Sully Miller
Site
Work with the appropriate stakeholders and identify a beneficial use and final resolution for the Sully Miller site
Not
Applicable
On August 25, 2026, the City Council approved a
Real Property Transfer Agreement with Landify
A multiparty indemnification and release agreement
among the City, Landify, and Milan was executed to
detail environmental liabilities associated with the
property
2.4 Finance
Address
Internal
Service Fund
Deficit
Increase revenues and set aside funding each year to eliminate the ongoing deficit realized in the the City’s internal service funds (e.g., General Liability, Worker’s Compensation, Accrued Liability)
Partially
Funded
No reportable significant update(s) since June
2.5 Community
Development
Industrial Area
District
Overlay
Initiate a district overlay in the City’s industrial areas for purposes of prompting an innovation district.
Unfunded No reportable significant update(s) since June GOAL 2: Enhance Economic Development and Achieve Fiscal Stability 8 Objective Number
Lead
Departments
Objective Description and Status
Funding
Status
October 13
Update
2.6 Community
Development/
Public Works
OC Riverwalk and West
Katella Corridor
Redevelopment
Work with the City of Anaheim and County of Orange to help progress the OC Riverwalk development in parallel with the forthcoming OC Vibe development and redevelopment of the West Katella corridor
Partially
Funded
Secured funding from the California Coastal Conservancy and federal community project funding request to beautify a County-owned parcel inbetween the Santa Ana River and
Stadium Promenade
2.7 City Manager Chapman PILOT
Engage with Chapman University on the creation of a payment in lieu of taxes program
Not Applicable Ongoing meetings with Chapman Liaison Committee
2.8 All Departments City Service Evaluation
Evaluate the City services that have been reduced or eliminated due to the City’s fiscal constraints, and determine if the alternative service delivery methods created since then are more efficient/effective and/or if these services are still needed Not Applicable
Staff continues to assess service levels, operational
efficiencies, and alternative service delivery methods across departments
This evaluation will continue in coordination with the City’s broader fiscal planning and future budget discussions,
inlcuding consideration of whether previously reduced or eliminated services should be restored, modified, or
discontinued
2.9 Finance Pension Costs
Achieve and maintain 90% funded status for CalPERS pension liability
Partially
Funded
CalPERS has reported an estimated 14.8% return
Based on the strong investment performance, staff expects the City’s funded status to improve and potentially exceed the City’s 90% funding target
GOAL 2: Enhance Economic Development and Achieve Fiscal Stability 9 Objective Number
Lead
Departments
Objective Description and Status
Funding
Status
October 13
Update
2.10 Community
Development
Economic Development
Marketing Program
Create a formal marketing program dedicated to business attraction. This program would provide the opportunity to establish informed economic development goals and objectives supported by a clear strategy and actionable implementation plan Partially
Funded
A draft Economic Development Strategic Plan has been
developed and is currently being reviewed by staff
The final Economic Development Strategic Plan will be
presented to the City Council at a future meeting
2.11 All Departments Organizational Assessment
Conduct an organizational assessment to evaluate staffing levels and operational efficiency
Unfunded No reportable significant update(s) since June
2.12 Community
Development
Sign Ordinance Update
Develop amendments and updates to the City’s sign regulations within Orange Municipal Code Title 17
Funded
Scheduled for the Planning Commission on October 19,
2026
Will be scheduled for future City Council consideration GOAL 2: Enhance Economic Development and Achieve Fiscal Stability 10 Objective
Number
Lead Departments Objective Description and Status
Funding
Status
October 13
Update
3.1 Community Development Mills Act Audit
Conduct an audit and develop a
comprehensive, beneficial, and effective
Mills Act program
Partially
Funded
Staff presented the draft Mills Act Guidelines on
September 22nd
The City Council and community provided
feedback, and staff will bring the guidelines back
for further consideration at a future City Council
meeting
3.2 City Manager County Island Annexation
Work with Orange County LAFCO and
County of Orange to finalize costs, engage
in community outreach, and begin the
annexation process
Partially
Funded
Received clear direction to pursue several County
Island Annexations on August 25th
Scheduled a meeting with the County CEO’s Office
to negotiate terms of the annexation
Will commence public outreach to County Island
residents
Targeting this item to be brought back to the City
Council at the February 23, 2027 Council meeting
3.3 Community and Library Services
El Modena Historical Display
and Exhibit Space
Create a display at the Main Branch Library
and History Center dedicated to showcasing
the history of the El Modena community
Install exhibit space at El Modena Library
Partially
Funded
This project is complete
3.4 Community and Library Services
El Modena Basin
Improvements
Secure funding to complete lighting, safety,
and accessibility improvements at the El
Modena Basin Park
Funded
Congressman Lou Correa has selected this project
for funding through the federal budget process.
As of this writing, Congress has delayed the federal
budget adoption until later this year
Goal 3: Enhance Quality of Life Through City Services
11 Objective
Number
Lead Departments Objective Description and Status Funding Status October 13 Update
3.5 Community and Library Services
Parks Master Plan
Development
Identify funding for staff to complete a comprehensive
City parks master plan, detailing long-term park
development strategies that will meet the community’s
future needs
Funded
Funding has now been secured to
develop a comprehensive City
parks master plan
3.6 City Manager
L.A. 2028 Olympics Torch
Relays
Apply for and secure the City of Orange as a site for the 2028 Olympics Torch Relay
Not Applicable
The City applied to be one of the
torch relay sites for the 2028
Olympics Torch Relay
Staff continues to coordinate with
LA28 representatives and is
awaiting confirmation regarding
whether Orange will be selected as
a relay site
3.7 City Manager City Charter
Conduct public hearings to consider placing a City
Charter ballot measure on the November 3, 2026
General Municipal Election.
Not Applicable
On July 14th, the City Council
placed the Proposed Charter Ballot
Measure (Measure K) on the
November 3, 2026 Ballot
Goal 3: Enhance Quality of Life Through City Services
12 Objective Number Lead Departments Objective Description and Status Funding
Status
October 13
Update
4.1 Human Resources
Class and Compensation
Study
Conduct a full class and compensation study.
The study will ensure pay equity and market alignment;
reestablish minimum qualifications and job descriptions; improve recruitment and retention; and identify career
progression development
Unfunded No reportable significant update(s) since June
4.2 Human Resources Reduce Time to Hire
Implement strategies and processes to streamline
recruitment, shorten hiring cycles, and quickly secure top talent for organizational needs
Funded
Human Resources staff has enhanced a reliable
recruitment/hiring tool which provides metrics in key areas such as applicant volume, time-to-fill, source of hire, and recruitment effectiveness
These metrics will allow Human Resources staff to further evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the hiring process
4.3 Human Resources
Recruit and Retain
Qualified Employees
Through the class and compensation study, begin
implementing pay equity adjustments to ensure the City
is a competitive employer that offers
development/training opportunities and succession
planning, ensuring a clear pathway for promotional,
growth, and leadership opportunities
Unfunded No reportable significant update(s) since June GOAL 4: Improve Employee Retention and Recruitment
13 Objective
Number
Lead
Departments
Objective Description and Status
Funding
Status
October 13
Update
5.1 Public Works
Pavement Condition
Index Improvement
Continue monitoring and identify funding opportunities to improve and maintain the City’s pavement condition index Partially
Funded
No reportable significant update(s) since June
5.2 Community and
Library Services
Rampart Street Park
and West Orange
Park
Secure a lease agreement with the County of Orange and
develop the Rampart County of Orange site for park
purposes
Work with the County of Orange and Army Corps of
Engineers to start and complete West Orange Park
Funded
Rampart Street Park - the City and County have entered into a lease agreement, the required payment has been submitted, and the contract for design work is currently scheduled for the October 27 City Council meeting
th
West Orange Park - the City continues to coordinate with Orange County Public Works and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers on the levee project and related approvals, while advancing park design and environmental review. County levee construction is currently anticipated to begin in Spring 2027
5.3 Public Works
Improve, enhance,
and beautify major
street corridors
Evaluate and identify opportunities to beautify and add landscaping throughout the City
Partially
Funded
The City is working on a turf conversion plan for some existing landscaped sites throughout the City in compliance with AB 1572
While there is no concrete plan at this time, the City is exploring areas for beautification
5.4 Community
Development
Maintstar
Implementation
Implement a centralized, one-stop platform for staff to manage all permitting, planning, and code-related projects Each project will include built-in workflows, organized file storage tabs, and assigned tasks to enhance accountability and collaboration
Funded No reportable significant update(s) since June
GOAL 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology 14 Objective
Number
Lead
Departments
Objective Description and Status Funding Status
October 13
Update
5.5 Public Works Sewer Master Plan
Develop a sewer master plan that will identify sewer system deficiencies while also providing analytics on expected useful life, sewer replacement, and costs
Partially Funded
The sewer master plan update is in
progress
Estimated to be completed by the end of
2027
5.6 Public Works
Connect houses on septic to
City sewer system
Identify remaining homes currently on septic, engage property owners, and identify funding strategies to lessen homeowner costs to move onto the City’s sewer system
Unfunded
No reportable significant update(s) since
June
5.7 Public Works Well PFAS Retrofit
Continue to retrofit all City-owned water well facilities to include PFAS treatment systems
Funded
Since July 1, 2026, the City has
successfully brought online per- and
polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) treatment
systems for Wells 20, 21, and 22
Staff continue to work on the design of the
remaining wells without PFAS treatment
systems
GOAL 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology 15 Objective Number Lead Departments Objective Description and Status Funding Status October 13
Update
6.1 Community Development
Historic
Preservation
Ordinance
Develop a historic preservation
ordinance in collaboration with the
Orange Legacy Alliance, Old Towne
Preservation Association, and the
City’s hired consultant, Chattel, Inc.
Funded
Brought forward for City Council consideration on
September 22nd
With City Council direction, staff will bring this item back for further discussion and consideration at a future meeting.
6.2 Community Development
Certified Local
Government
Designation
Apply to become a Certified Local
Government pursuant to the
National Historic Preservation Act,
helping secure funding and provide
technical assistance to preserve
historical assets
Not Applicable
The City will need to adopt a historic preservation
ordinance (Objective 6.1) before taking the necessary
steps to apply and become a Certified Local
Government
6.3 Community and Library Services
Disaster
Preparedness
Plan
Create a disaster preparedness plan
to protect and preserve historical
archives at the Main Branch Library
and History Center
Funded
Identifying and rehousing collections to ensure all items are easily located in case of an evacuation
GOAL 6: Ensure the Preservation of Historic Resources
16