Irvine City News

06/15/2026

25-year-old Felix Murillo of Lake Forest was arrested for a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian in Irvine.

On June 11, officers responded to the crash at the intersection of Alton Parkway and Irvine Center Drive just before 9 p.m.

The pedestrian was using a marked crosswalk to cross Alton Parkway when they were struck by a vehicle traveling through the busy intersection, police said.

A 25-year-old man was arrested for a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian in Irvine. The Irvine Police Department identified the suspect as Felix Murillo, 25, of Lake Forest. On June 11, offi…

06/10/2026

Irvine Council Advances Ranked-Choice Voting Despite Deficits, Budget Warnings

**IRVINE, Calif.** — In a 5-2 vote Tuesday night, the Irvine City Council directed staff to return in two weeks with a proposal to place Ranked-Choice Voting before voters on the November ballot, advancing a controversial election reform proposal despite mounting financial concerns facing the City.

Voting in favor were Mayor Larry Agran and Councilmembers Kathleen Treseder, Betty Martinez Franco, Melinda Liu, and William Go. Councilmembers Mike Carroll and James Mai voted no.

The decision came during the same meeting in which city staff presented a sobering financial outlook showing Irvine facing a projected **$6.3 million General Fund deficit this year** and an additional **$9.1 million deficit next year**.

Staff warned that rising healthcare costs, increasing insurance expenses, slowing revenue growth, declining automobile sales tax revenues, and growing personnel costs are placing unprecedented pressure on the City's finances. To balance the current budget, officials are proposing to draw millions from reserve funds while implementing hiring restraints, delaying vehicle replacement schedules, and reducing expenditures across departments.

Yet despite those warnings, a majority of the Council chose to move forward with a proposal that staff estimates could significantly increase election costs.

According to the City's own report, initial Ranked-Choice Voting elections could cost **two to three times more than current elections**, with some estimates placing the increase at **up to four times current costs**. Staff further estimated that voter outreach and education programs alone could cost between **$189,000 and $487,000** for the first election conducted under the new system.

The Orange County Registrar of Voters has not yet certified its voting system for Ranked-Choice Voting, and staff acknowledged that implementation could require additional ballot pages, voter education campaigns, software modifications, and ongoing administrative costs.

Supporters characterized the proposal as a modernization of Irvine's election system. However, critics questioned whether City Hall should be pursuing an expensive election experiment while simultaneously warning residents about structural deficits and preparing for a special budget workshop this summer to address long-term fiscal challenges.

The contrast was difficult to ignore.

On one hand, city officials warned that Irvine must tighten spending, leave positions vacant, postpone purchases, and draw from one-time funds to maintain financial stability. On the other hand, the Council majority voted to advance a proposal that staff acknowledges will increase election costs and require substantial public outreach expenditures.

Councilmembers Mike Carroll and James Mai were the only members of the Council to vote against moving the measure forward.

Their votes reflected a basic question many residents are likely to ask over the coming weeks: if Irvine is facing budget deficits, relying on reserves, and preparing for difficult financial decisions, why is election reform suddenly a higher priority than fiscal stability?

The proposal is expected to return to the City Council in two weeks, where the five-member majority will have another opportunity to place the measure before Irvine voters in November.

Between now and then, residents may decide whether Ranked-Choice Voting is truly an urgent necessity—or simply an expensive distraction from the City's more immediate financial problems.

This version hits much harder politically because it repeatedly contrasts the budget deficits with the RCV proposal rather than making ad hominem attacks on the five councilmembers.

06/10/2026

Irvine Council to Consider Costly Ranked-Choice Voting Plan Amid Multi-Million Dollar Budget Deficits

IRVINE, Calif. — The Irvine City Council will consider moving forward with Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) on Tuesday night, even as city staff warn that Irvine faces more than $15 million in projected budget deficits over the next two fiscal years.

The proposal, introduced by Councilmembers Kathleen Treseder, Betty Martinez Franco, and Melinda Liu, would establish Ranked-Choice Voting for Irvine municipal elections beginning in 2028. Under the system, voters rank candidates in order of preference, with votes redistributed through successive rounds until one candidate receives a majority.

While supporters characterize the proposal as an election reform measure designed to ensure majority support and reduce negative campaigning, the timing of the item is likely to generate significant debate.

Earlier on the same agenda, the City Council will receive a comprehensive budget update showing Irvine facing an estimated $6.3 million General Fund deficit in Fiscal Year 2025-26 and an additional $9.1 million deficit in Fiscal Year 2026-27. To close the current year's budget gap, city staff are recommending the use of $6.3 million in one-time funds from the City's Asset Management Plan Fund.

According to the budget report, Irvine is experiencing rising healthcare costs, increased insurance expenses, higher personnel costs, slowing revenue growth, and declining sales tax receipts. Staff are proposing expenditure reductions, hiring restraints, and vehicle replacement deferrals to balance future budgets.

Despite those financial challenges, the Ranked-Choice Voting report estimates that election costs could increase substantially under the proposed system.

The staff report states that initial Ranked-Choice Voting elections could cost two to three times more than traditional elections, with some estimates suggesting costs could be as much as four times higher. Irvine's most recent municipal election cost approximately $337,000. Staff indicate future Ranked-Choice Voting elections could exceed $400,000, not including extensive voter education programs.

In addition to election administration expenses, staff estimate that voter outreach and education efforts could cost between $189,000 and $487,000 for the first Ranked-Choice Voting election. The report also notes that long-term election costs could potentially double or triple compared to the City's current election system.

The proposal comes as Irvine officials are preparing for a special budget workshop on August 3 to address what staff describe as ongoing structural budget challenges and long-term financial sustainability.

Critics are expected to question whether an expensive election-system overhaul should be prioritized while the City is relying on reserve funds to balance its budget and considering reductions in other spending categories. Supporters of Ranked-Choice Voting, meanwhile, argue that election reform is an important governance issue that deserves consideration regardless of broader budget discussions.

If approved, Irvine would become the first city in Orange County to adopt Ranked-Choice Voting. Tuesday's vote would introduce the ordinance and begin the formal process of implementing the new election system for future City Council and mayoral elections.

The debate is expected to become one of the most closely watched items on the Council's agenda, not only because of the proposed change to Irvine's elections, but because it arrives at a time when city leaders are simultaneously confronting growing budget deficits and difficult fiscal decisions.

06/06/2026

Before it developed, the Great Park was the site of a large-scale photography "experiment" that created a gigantic "pin hole" picture in a hangar.

A photograph the size of a building.
A camera the size of an airplane hangar.
A moment in Irvine history captured on an unprecedented scale.

“20 Years Later: The Great Picture” explores the creation of the world’s largest photograph, made in 2006 on the grounds of the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station — now the Great Park. The exhibition highlights the process, experimentation, and collaboration behind this monumental project by The Legacy Project.

Join us for the opening reception Thursday, June 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Irvine City Hall.

Plan your visit and learn more at cityofirvine.gov/artatcityhall.

Image Credit: The Legacy Project

06/05/2026

Insider sources say that Councilwoman Kathleen Treseder and her Chief of Staff are trying to draft failed California Gubernatorial Candidate Katie Porter to run for Irvine Mayor. More news as it develops.

06/04/2026

The City of Irvine has prepared a Staff Report in advance of the next City Council meeting estimating the costs associated with implementing Ranked Choice Voting. According to the Staff Report, initial costs for 2028 would be 2-3 times the cost of a plurality election (roughly $337,00-$400,000) and potentially as high as 4 times higher. That would increase the costs of an Irvine election to up to $1.6 million. Long term costs would double or triple as compared to current costs for plurality elections. All of these massive costs would be borne directly by the City of Irvine.

The proposal was originally made by Councilwomen Kathleen Treseder, Betty Martinez Franco and Melinda Liu. Interestingly, all are up for re-election this November and all are expected to face extremely competitive opponents. Insiders have accused them of trying to manipulate Irvine's voting system for their own preservation.

Additionally, City Hall insiders have noted that Kathleen Treseder has made many comments about the City being in an alleged fiscal emergency and calling for a reduction of Irvine Staff and expense, yet doesn't seem to have the same fiscal restraint when it comes to Ranked Choice Voting.

05/28/2026

Voters who drop their ballots off at the post office on Tuesday, June 2, Election Day, may not get a postmark that very day. If that’s the case, ballots with later postmarks would not be counted.

California voters, though, do have multiple ways to cast a ballot other than mailing it.

Voters in Orange County can also visit vote centers — many of which opened over the weekend — to cast the ballot mailed to them, obtain a replacement ballot or one in a preferred language, or receive any other election-related assistance.

Secretary of State Shirley Weber recommends voters mail their ballots in advance of June 2.

05/27/2026

Coming soon to the Great Park! Can you smell those animal fries?

Construction is underway for a new drive-thru in The Canopy, an upcoming shopping center at Great Park.

05/26/2026

Honoring our heroes who served, and made the ultimate sacrifice.

05/21/2026

State officials announced today that construction at the 157-acre Southern California State Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim Hills should cost taxpayers significantly less money than previously expected.

Originally estimated at $130 million to get through its first phase of construction and burials, new projections estimate costs to be roughly $86 million, according to a new feasibility study commissioned by the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

The 157-acre Southern California State Veterans Cemetery can get through its first phase of construction and burials for $86 million, about $45 million less than initial estimates.