City of Orange Publishes 2025–26 Budget with Emphasis on Public Safety and Fiscal Restraint

After months of community engagement and multiple City Council sessions, the City of Orange has officially adopted its Fiscal Year 2025–26 budget, reaffirming its commitment to core public services while addressing growing financial challenges. The new budget—developed through workshops and public meetings between March and June—outlines funding priorities centered on public safety, infrastructure, and neighborhood quality of life.

Nearly 70 percent of the city’s General Fund is dedicated to public safety, ensuring continued investment in police patrols, fire protection, paramedic response, and homeless outreach programs. City officials emphasized that these services remain the community’s top priority, but they cautioned that budget reductions may be necessary in future years if revenues fail to keep pace with rising costs.

The financial update also highlights the city’s focus on maintenance and quality-of-life programs, including park upkeep, street repairs, and youth and senior recreation services. To sustain transparency, the city launched its “Our Orange Conversation” campaign, inviting residents to participate in a citywide dialogue about how to manage long-term financial pressures while preserving essential services.

City leaders described the plan as a reflection of Orange’s “strong stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” aiming to maintain safety, cleanliness, and community vitality even amid a tightening fiscal landscape. The message to residents is clear: collaboration and shared decision-making will shape how Orange continues to thrive in the years ahead.

Read the Original Article: https://www.cityoforange.org/our-city/city-financial-update