Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
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.
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.
Sponsored message
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.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
