Candidates for Irvine’s city council recently addressed voters at a forum co-hosted by the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, Irvine Watchdog, and local non-profit organizations. Discussions centered on the city’s projected structural budget deficit, estimated to reach $37 million in two years, and the potential establishment of an independent city auditor.
The city’s budget challenges were a primary focus, with most candidates affirming it as their top priority. Mayor Larry Agran, seeking re-election, acknowledged the necessity of structural adjustments to address the deficit. He proposed increasing taxes on businesses and transient occupants, stating, “We can’t promise our children they can have everything they want and it won’t cost anybody anything. Let’s get real. We’re grown-ups.” Conversely, Maksim Egorov, Agran’s opponent, agreed the budget was paramount but declared opposition to new taxes or fees if elected.
Questions at the forum also explored how the city budget could be managed to ensure equitable funding for district improvements and development. A recurring theme was the call for greater transparency in city hall operations. Anthony Kuo, a candidate for district five, advocated for increased transparency and described the concept of a city auditor as “a wonderful idea.” He emphasized the need for clear understanding of city expenditures, remarking, “We need to know where our money is going.” Byron Salvaterria, also a candidate for district five, echoed this sentiment, questioning how Irvine could enhance transparency and supporting an independent auditor.
Incumbent City Councilwoman Kathleen Treseder, running for re-election in district six, concurred with the need for an independent auditor. She noted that some council members were reportedly surprised by the projected budget shortfall, indicating they did not receive timely information to address it. Treseder stated, “An independent auditing office would change that,” asserting that such an office could identify savings and improve efficiency. She further pledged that if re-elected, she would introduce a proposal to the city council to approve an independent auditor.
Melinda Liu, an incumbent and candidate for district one, offered a different approach to financial oversight. She suggested that the city should conduct targeted audits to identify the root causes of the budget issues before implementing a full independent auditor. Liu explained, “Before we are able to have it with an independent auditor for the city, we should have targeted audits to find out what went wrong before so we can change the structure of our government spending.”
The forum also touched upon the future of the Oak Creek Golf Club, balancing open space preservation with housing construction. Candidates presented varied opinions on the proposed development. Anthony Kuo declined to offer a specific stance, explaining that doing so could disqualify him from voting on the matter if it came before the council. Julie Glossbrenner, a candidate for district five, expressed her opposition to the development, noting she has previously voiced her objections at council meetings and in writing to the senior city planner.
Councilwoman Treseder, however, voiced support for future housing development at Oak Creek, including a nature park component, citing the city's need for additional housing. She conditioned her support on ensuring that 15% or more of the new units would be designated as affordable housing, noting that The Irvine Company has not yet committed to this percentage.
