Local

Irvine weighs staffing and fee changes to close projected $47 million gap

The city’s Target ’28 plan would cut spending by $27 million and raise $10 million in revenue as leaders confront a widening structural deficit.

Image credit: Azusa Tarn / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; archival July 2016 photograph of Irvine City Hall

Irvine leaders are studying a long-term budget plan aimed at preventing the city’s projected structural deficit from reaching $47 million by 2030, Voice of OC reported in an article updated September 25. City staff estimates the annual gap could reach $37 million by July 2028 without changes.

What it means locally

The Target ’28 proposal calls for $27 million in spending reductions and $10 million in new revenue by 2028. Staff says payroll savings would come mainly through attrition, reorganization and elimination of some vacant positions rather than an across-the-board hiring freeze. The plan also contemplates higher fees and greater cost recovery for certain services. The City Council voted 5–2 to continue studying the proposal and expects more details in October; no final package of cuts or fee changes has been adopted.

Full report and further details: Read original report →