Budget Investment Technology 2025/06/04City of Anaheim
4«M, FINANCE DEPARTMENT
I
June 4, 2025
TO THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL:
The Budget, Investment, and Technology Commission (Commission) is pleased
to have the opportunity to provide you with its comments and recommendations
concerning the City's proposed annual budget. The Commission (previously
known as the Budget Advisory Commission) was established by the City Council
in 1991. This Commission is charged with the examination of the City's financial
condition, policies, and procedures, as well as the review of the annual budget
proposed by the City Manager under Section 1.04.996 of Chapter 1.04 of
Title 1 of the Anaheim Municipal Code. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 proposed
budget marks the thirty-fourth proposed annual budget the Commission has had
the opportunity to review.
The Commission's first meeting of FY 2024/25 was in September 2024.
Throughout the year, the Commission heard presentations from various City
departments. The Commission received monthly Transient Occupancy Tax
(TOT) reports and periodic updates on the current year's budget and the
investment portfolio.
The City Council has implemented several successful programs in recent years
to increase residents' access to and usage of City resources. The Commission
recommends that the City continue these programs and continue to seek
opportunities to increase access to City Services without substantially
increasing costs. Examples would include increased outreach to residents
regarding available City services, the promotion of the City's technology
platform, and maintaining library hours. The Commission also recommends that
the City provide increased educational programs for the City's youth and
community members that do not necessarily require the purchase of additional
equipment.
The City's finances and economic health have weathered challenging times
through the use of healthy reserves and fiscally responsible policies. The FY
2025/26 proposed budget continues to rely on working capital bond proceeds
and utilization of one-time monies to close the funding gap in the General Fund.
With this budget deficit expected to extend through 2027 and reserves
anticipated to approach minimum levels over that time horizon, (before
additional risks to the General Fund including expiring labor contracts, the
Citywide classification and compensation study and recessionary concerns),
maintaining fiscal responsibility while maintaining City services should be an
area of focus for the City Council. The Commission notes the year -over -year
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decline in TOT, and it would be wise to prepare for economic changes and the slowing of
the City's revenue stream.
Homelessness, mental illness, and substance abuse are some of the most significant
problems in our state and our region. The Commission would like to encourage the City
Council to continue its efforts to address the homelessness, mental health, and substance
abuse crises. The Commission would like to recognize the positive efforts of the
Community Care Response Team, among a number of innovative city programs, in
addressing the City's needs in these issues.
The Commission would like to stress the importance of maintaining safe streets and the
City's infrastructure programs. The Commission supports the City's consideration of
funding for previously deferred maintenance projects as funds become available.
The Commission would like to highlight the importance of Code Enforcement under the
Planning and Building Department in the proposed budget. As ongoing issues of parking
and code enforcement are felt by the community, the Commission recommends monitoring
of the ongoing needs of Code Enforcement.
The Commission recognizes the considerable effort that City departments have focused
upon Federal and State financial grants. The Commission shares the concerns of
residents regarding recent and ongoing State and Federal budgetary cuts. Consideration
should be given to, whenever possible, finding alternate and/or temporary revenue sources
when practical.
The Commission recommends annual or term -basis reviews of all City contracts to
determine if the contracts are meeting key performance indicators, which would ensure
expenditures of taxpayer dollars are being matched by defined expectations.
The Commission supports the goals of the Anaheim Economic Development Team to bring
additional growth to the City, including outreach programs, partnerships, and incentives to
attract new businesses and retain existing businesses.
The Commission would like to recognize the efforts of the Community Services, Planning
and Building, and Housing and Community Development Departments for their role in
supporting the revitalization of neighborhoods and investment in economic growth,
including the progress of projects such as Rebuild Beach Blvd.
In addition, the Commission recognizes the importance of the Anaheim Convention Center
to the City's economy. With a large number of jobs and businesses that depend on the
Convention Center, the Commission continues to urge the ongoing pursuit and growth of
the number of high -profile conventions to increase City revenue.
The Commission would like to recognize the diligent and thorough thought and effort of the
City staff, especially in the Finance Department, in managing a budget that serves the
needs of the Residents of Anaheim.
We are thankful for the opportunity to serve the people of Anaheim and grateful for the
time and information provided by City staff. The Commission hereby recommends that the
FY 2025/26 budget be adopted as proposed, and recommends that the City Council
monitor revenues closely throughout the year, make adjustments as necessary to maintain
the balance between revenues and services, and review opportunities for new revenues
in the Fall of 2025 to support critical City services and infrastructure.
Respectfully submitted,
ANAHEIM BUDGET, INVESTMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION
Jorge Gavino, Chair
Mr. Peter Duncan, Vice Chair
Mr. Jason Bivens
Mr. Paul D'Allura
Ms. Maria Grandone
Mr. Jaime Naranjo
Mr. Christopher Nguyen