Irvine candidates back independent auditor as budget deficit looms

Several Irvine City Council candidates endorsed an independent city auditor at a forum Saturday as the city faces a projected $37 million budget deficit in two years, according to Voice of OC.

The discussion highlighted competing approaches to the city's finances: independent oversight, targeted audits and new tax revenue. Candidates also addressed proposed housing development at Oak Creek Golf Course, including affordability and open space.

Anthony Kuo, Byron Salvaterria and incumbent Councilwoman Kathleen Treseder supported an independent auditor, Voice of OC reported. Treseder said she would bring a proposal to the council if reelected. She said council members learned about the projected deficit too late to correct it and that an independent office could identify savings and assess whether spending reflected council priorities.

Incumbent Council Member Melinda Liu favored targeted audits before considering an independent auditor. She said those reviews should identify what went wrong with past budgets and guide changes in government spending, according to Voice of OC.

Mayor Larry Agran proposed higher taxes on businesses and transient occupants to help close the budget gap. His challenger, Maksim Egorov, opposed new taxes or fees as a remedy, the publication reported.

On Oak Creek, council candidate Julie Glossbrenner opposed development of the golf course. Treseder supported future housing and a nature park but wanted at least 15% of the homes to be affordable. She said the Irvine Company had not committed to that share.

Kuo declined to take a position on the development. He said a specific answer could disqualify candidates from voting on the issue, according to Voice of OC.

The forum was hosted by the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, Irvine Watchdog and nearly a dozen local nonprofit organizations. All council candidates were invited, but District One candidate John Park did not attend, according to Voice of OC.