Orange County approved its $327 million budget plan for Fiscal Year 2027-28 on Tuesday, marking the final local government in our community to do so before summer break.
The county’s plan sees an increase in spending (6.87%) compared to the current fiscal year and another increase in property taxes – 4.22 cents per $100 of valuation – marking the fifth consecutive budget cycle with a raise on the rate. The increase is specifically to better fund the two public school districts, while implementing several other reductions across the government to prevent an even further spike.
When sharing his proposed budget in May, county manager Travis Myren said his staff’s top priority in crafting the plan was minimizing the tax increase for property owners. Even with that mission and after making reductions, a combination of inflation, lost property tax revenue and other factors led him to suggest a 3.75-cent increase in the rate…