The following are two statements provided by the city about La Mirada making progress towards their outlined strategic goals and a mid-year review of the city’s finances.
City of La Mirada Continues to Make Progress in 2018
The City of La Mirada making progress towards achieving the commitments outlined in its Strategic Plan 2020. Many advancements have been made since its adoption in 2016, and more of the Plan’s objectives will be achieved in 2018. City officials remain committed to directing City resources and efforts to preserve La Mirada as a safe and attractive community, with a high quality of life.
The City’s long-standing practice of adopting a balanced budget with a healthy level of reserves has maintained La Mirada as a financially stable city. A recent report by State Senator John Moorlach placed La Mirada in the top 10 percent of California’s 482 cities for financial soundness. La Mirada ranked number 37 on the list. Having adequate financial resources allows the City to provide the community with quality policing, excellent recreational, cultural, and leisure opportunities, and maintain local streets and roads.
Public safety remains the City’s highest priority. A strong partnership between the City’s Public Safety team, residents, and businesses, allows La Mirada to stay among the safest cities in the region. Ongoing efforts for 2018 will include strengthening partnerships with Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, and Volunteers on Patrol. Public Safety staff will continue to meet with businesses to provide information on current crime trends and crime prevention tips. The City will continue working with local schools to provide a safe educational environment and continue to offer programs against drugs, gangs, and vandalism.
Efforts to continue improving the City’s aging infrastructure will also continue in 2018. Significant progress has been made toward improving La Mirada’s neighborhood streets over the past several years, with funding from voter-approved Measure I. The City has completed three of its five phases and the fourth phase is currently under construction. Residents can expect continued improvements to La Mirada neighborhoods, including pavement rehabilitation, replacement of damaged curb, gutter, and sidewalk, placement of new handicap curb access ramps, and removal and replacement of slotted cross gutters. This fourth phase of the project is expected to be completed by summer. Phase five is currently under design, and construction will begin by fall.
The City will be working on improving the general appearance of the community with new landscaping planted along the medians of La Mirada Boulevard, Rosecrans Avenue, and Valley View Avenue. A master plan to renovate Creek Park is also being developed and will include improvements to the park’s bridges, walkways, lighting and landscaping. Additional possible improvements include terraced seating along the creek, fitness stations made of natural materials, and re-naturalization of the creek.
Investments in quality programming and recreational opportunities for La Mirada families continues to be an area of focus. City facilities and recreational areas will continue to be well-maintained for local sports teams and recreational enthusiasts. New updated playgrounds will be installed at Gardenhill and Windermere parks this summer. In addition, plans are underway to install a new slide feature at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center.
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts continues to provide exceptional entertainment and cultural offerings for audiences. The Theatre will improve its auditorium seating this year and is exploring the possibility of transforming the upstairs lounge into a performance space for smaller acts during the 2018-19 season. The Theatre has also begun offering, for the first time, backstage tours of the facility to its subscribers. This addition has been very well received, and plans are being considered to make the tour available to the general public in the future.
La Mirada’s strong demographics make it an appealing community for companies to invest and grow. The City aims to build on recent additions, such as Shabuya, Ross Dress for Less, Daiso, and McDonalds. A new Popeyes Chicken restaurant at the northeast corner of Imperial Highway and Santa Gertrudes Avenue, as well as a Chick-fil-A restaurant at the southeast corner of Firestone Boulevard and Gateway Drive, have received City planning approval. Improvements to the AMC La Mirada 7 Movie Theater are also underway. The movie theater will renovate its seven auditoriums, restrooms, and lobby area in 2018.
Efforts to upgrade the community also include new housing. The Olive Walk, a new housing community located on La Mirada Boulevard, is currently under construction by the Olson Company. The community consists of thirty-three townhomes offering four different floor plans. Initial occupancy is expected to occur by April.
These are some of the highlights of upcoming improvements residents and visitors will notice throughout La Mirada in 2018. The City will continue its efforts to keep La Mirada a safe and attractive community offering a high quality of life.
Mid-year Budget Review Indicates City Finances Are Healthy
The City of La Mirada City Council reviewed the mid-year financial report at Tuesday’s City Council Study Session meeting (March 14, 2018). The report included current City revenues and expenditures and projected estimates through the end of the fiscal year.
Overall, General Fund operating revenues for Fiscal Year 2017-18 are expected to reach $43.3 million. General Fund operating expenditures are projected at $32.8 million. These figures do not include fund transfers, yet reflect ongoing efforts to manage costs even with conservative budgeting.
At mid-year, property tax revenue is projected to be $6.4 million or 3.2 percent above the budgeted amount and slightly above the prior year actual. With housing values at a steady rise year over year, property tax revenue remains one of the City’s most stable revenue sources.
Sales tax revenues were reported to be $3.58 million or 35.82 percent of the budgeted revenue. Sales tax is conservatively projected to reach $10 million.
At mid-year, Measure I revenues were $2.35 million. The one percent, voter-approved sales tax ends on March 31, 2018. Since April 2013, Measure I has generated approximately $28.72 million, exceeding the expectation of $20 million over the five year period. This funding source has been used for neighborhood infrastructure improvements over the past several years. The City has completed three phases of neighborhood street improvements. The fourth phase is currently in construction, and the fifth phase is under design.
“The City’s finances remain sound,” says City Manager Jeff Boynton. “We expect to finish the year with a modest surplus and health level of savings.”
The mid-year report emphasized the City of La Mirada’s continued commitment to maintaining public safety as a top priority and its ongoing investment in improving local infrastructure. The City will look to other funding sources and use new transportation funds for future infrastructure projects to minimize the impact on the City’s General Fund.
Click here to view the mid-year budget report.