By Brooklynn Wong
It was just before midnight when the Anaheim City Council finally voted to approve its budget for the new fiscal year.
Numerous workshops had been held, controversial items had been discussed, scores of residents had put in their two cents, and Council Members had debated.
But at long last a decision was made as last Tuesday turned into Wednesday, and the city can move ahead with its proposed $2 billion balanced budget.
Anaheim’s economy continues to grow, thanks in large part to the ever-growing tourism industry. Every day, people come from far and wide to spend their time and money at Disneyland, not to mention Angels and Ducks games, and Anaheim’s lesser-known attractions, and spend their nights in the city’s hotels.
Hotel rooms continue to be the biggest income source for the city, and this looks to only be on the up-and-up, as new attractions are built at Disneyland each year and new hotels are built too. The city also hosts a number of conventions that put visitors up in the hotel rooms.
The final budget workshop was held earlier that evening, and the Public Utilities; Public Works; Planning & Building; Community & Economic Development; and Convention, Sports & Entertainment departments presented their proposed pieces of the budget.
The representative from Public Works said they have planned room in their budget to continue neighborhood improvement projects, such as better trees, pavement, and drainage during rainstorms. They will attempt to undertake seven new projects in the new fiscal year, which would all be fully funded through taxes and grants. One interesting highlight was new doors at the city’s fire stations that would open faster, therefore improving response time.
Planning & Building said their budget will be similar to last year’s. Their representative spoke of rising animal control rates, as the city contracts with the County of Orange to provide those services. He said though there is an increase in that rate from last year, it’s not as high as it was going to be, thanks to meetings the city held with the county. They also mentioned new housing and retail in the Platinum Triangle, as well as working to beautify the portion of Beach Boulevard that passes through West Anaheim.
As for Community and Economic Development, the representative said they are as ever, looking into more permanent supportive housing. As for one of the recent highlights of things they were able to accomplish with their budget last year, they spoke of FRAN (Free Rides Around the Neighborhood), a transportation service that serves Center City in downtown Anaheim. Riders can request a ride via the CtrCity Anaheim mobile app, and the vehicles are electric, and made in Anaheim.
As for other new developments, the newly-cleared Maxwell Park will be converted into a dog park, and a new fire station will be built in the Platinum Triangle.
The City Council will continue to hammer out the logistics of the upcoming fiscal year at the next City Council Meeting on July 16.
