CLOCK TOWER at Westminster Civic Center. (OC Tribune photo).

By Jim Tortolano
Orange County Tribune

Grappling with ongoing municipal fiscal challenges, the Westminster City Council on Wednesday will receive updates on achieving financial stability and consider a budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

While other neighboring cities have aggressively pursued efforts to bring more business to the community, the City of Westminster has let the position of economic development manager be vacant for over 20 years.

Now that the position has been filled by Caroline Velarde, city staff is developing an economic development strategic plan.

According to staff reports, three consultants for assisting in creating such a EDSP have offered proposals, with costs ranging from $120,000 to $170,000. The estimated time lines for completion range from four to nine months.

The council will also hear suggestions about how to raise revenue through taxation, such as an increase in the transient occupancy tax – sometimes called a ‘bed” tax – on visitors to the city staying in motels or hotels.

Westminster is among six cities tied for the lowest rates in Orange County at 8 percent.
At the top are Anaheim at 15 percent and Garden Grove at 14.5 percent. Such an increase would require a majority vote of the public.

Of more immediate effect is the adoption of a balanced general fund budget with an estimated $91.2 million in revenue and expenses of $90.5 million.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. in its chambers at 8200 Westminster Blvd.

The regular meetings of July 9 and 23 have been cancelled.