The Santa Ana City Council approves a $476M budget for fiscal year 2015-2016

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: SANTA ANA’S CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES FISCAL YEAR 2015 – 2016 BUDGET

Budget Adds Services and Begins Fiscal Year With a $10 Million Surplus

Santa Ana, CA – The City of Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved a structurally balanced 2015 -2016 fiscal year budget of $476,515,630 at last night’s City Council meeting. The approved budget includes a $225.8 million General Fund budget and a Capital Improvement Program budget of $68 million. “After years of prudent decision making and tough budget actions, I am pleased that the economy has rebounded and Santa Ana is now in a favorable position to move forward,” stated Mayor Miguel Pulido. The Fiscal Year 2015-2016 (FY 15-16) Budget reflects a $45 million reserve and kicks-off with a projected $10 million minimum surplus to fund critical projects and plans.

The FY 15-16 budget demonstrates a continuation of the successes gained during the last two fiscal years, during which the general fund budget grew by 10 percent or $20 million. The City of Santa Ana has added 57 positions, including 23 police officers and 16 new positions in the Planning and Building Agency over the last two years as well.

Key community priorities funded in the FY 15-16 budget include the expansion of library hours and additional library materials, the development of a Zoo Master Plan, sponsorship for community events, upgrading of police communications equipment, the addition of seven police officers, fire station improvements, and funding to address deferred maintenance and capital improvements.

The City’s economic indicators are all advancing in a positive direction. The “Top 6” revenue sources have grown by 8.8% over a three-year period (fiscal year 2014-15-projected vs. fiscal year 2012-13). Furthermore, other key economic indicators reflect advancement in the areas of Sales Tax, Hotel Visitor’s Tax and Assessed Property values which have experienced growth over the same three year period amounting to 11.5%, 17.3% and 8.5% increases respectively. The City’s unemployment rate of five percent (5.0%) is lower as compared to the federal and state rate and further substantiates the strong economic environment.

“We continue to add innovations and efficiencies, and job growth in Santa Ana is robust. The culmination of these efforts has led to exceptional progress in attaining financial stability,” shared Councilwoman Michele Martinez who serves as the Chair of the City’s Finance, Economic Development, and Technology Council Committee.

For further details on the City of Santa Ana’s budget, please visit www.santa-ana.org/finance/budget.

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