Aliso Viejo Expected to See Modest Revenue Growth Next Year

Aliso Viejo will see a 1 percent growth in revenue—about $136,645—in the upcoming fiscal year, city staffers told the City Council Wednesday night.

At the April 6 meeting, City Manager Mark Pulone presented preliminary budget figures to officials during the first of the annual budget discussions.

Pulone said that while the growth is “not tremendous,” it is growth nonetheless. He added that any growth during the current economic times “is very good.”

According to the staff report, property tax revenues are expected to increase “only slightly” over last year, by about $74,140 (1.2 percent).

The staff also expects sales tax revenues to increase by about $61,350 (1.5 percent).

For a full list of the upcoming projections, click here and scroll to agenda item 10-4

City staffers estimate that Aliso Viejo will end 2011 with a general fund balance of $22.3 million, with $5.7 million designated for reserves. From that, they predict a 1 percent growth in revenue—$136,645—for fiscal year 2012.

“The numbers, if anything, are a little conservative,” Pulone said and added that he expects the city to do even better than the projections.

Mayor Carmen Cave asked the city staff to make sure, as the budget discussion continues, that residents be kept aware of what projects the city is working on and what projects are on the back burner.

Cave said she also wanted to make sure the city staff spreads out some of the funding dollars for certain projects and cautioned against “trying to spend it all at once.”

Council member Phillip Tsunoda had this to say about the latest budget figures:

“I think that just goes to show how wonderful things are in Aliso Viejo,” Tsunoda said. “It’s an excellently run city, and these financial projections are clear indications of that.”

Other business

• The City Council voted to advertise for bids on the Town Center Loop Pedestrian Enhancement Project.
  The project will complete the initial stage of a trail from Pacific Park Drive, which will run south along both Aliso Viejo Parkway and Aliso Creek Road to their intersection at Wolverine Way.
  For more details on the project, click here and scroll to agenda item number eight.

• The City Council heard a brief presentation on the city’s current sign enforcement program.
  According to the staff report, about 5 percent of signs in retail centers are illegal and about 10 percent do not conform to city standards but are legal.
• The City Council OK’d a proposal to fund 75 percent of four local sports projects, including a plan to add lights to the Woodfield Park batting cages. The remaining 25 percent would come from local sports groups or the “facility owner most benefiting from the improvement,” according to the staff report.  
• Officials proclaimed it DMV/Donate Life California month and urged locals to donate organs to those who need them.
  Kidney donation recipient Raemond de Leon spoke briefly about organ donors and thanked “those who have been so kind and so self-sacrificing.”
• The City Council recognized two local students for their achievements: Eighth-grader, Kristen Walker, who won the ninth annual Legacy Leadership award from St. Mary’s School, and 2010 Aliso Niguel High School student Talor Yaffee for taking first place in the Men’s Intermediate Division at the OC Throwdown CrossFit Competition in January.

The next City Council meeting is April 20 at 7 p.m. at 12 Journey in Aliso Viejo.