With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Now is your chance to let Orange County leaders know your budget priorities
The Orange County Civic Center — the "room where it happens."
(
Yusra Farzan
/
LAist
)
Orange County plans to spend $10.8 billion on the next year's budget. Now you get to weigh in.
How's that?
There are two virtual public workshop sessions planned on Thursday — one at 3 p.m. and another at 6 p.m. You can also provide public feedback using this form. The Orange County Board of Supervisors will also hold a public budget hearing on June 10.
Can my voice really make a difference?
Yes. Admittedly, this document is pretty darn close to being finalized. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to do just that at a June 24 hearing.
Sponsored message
But the budget is a year-round process. And there are several opportunities year-round to provide more input into the budget when it's actually being shaped and formed.
From the county's CEO: "The public's comments or suggestions are welcomed year-round and may be submitted any time. Receiving public feedback during the following times during the budget cycle are especially important," including August through September for consideration during the strategic financial planning process and February through March for consideration during the annual budget cycle.
But you need to start somewhere. And if you don't like how county officials are using tax dollars, tell them. If you like how the county is using tax dollars, tell them that too.
OK, I'm convinced. Where do I start?
One place to start is with the Citizen's Guide to the FY 2025-26 budget. This is a 24-page, reader-friendly explainer that lays out the county's budget planning cycle, including where the money comes from and what it gets spent on. There is also this FAQ. There's also a video. Finally, here's the proposed budget in PDF format.
Check out your local media reports as well. Here's what LAist had to say about it.
What do I do next?
- You can provide public feedback using this form.
- Two virtual public budget workshops will be held at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. Details here.
- The County Executive Office will present the budget to the Orange County Board of Supervisors on June 10.
- The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt the fiscal year 2025-26 annual budget on June 24.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
