Lake Elsinore's Renaissance Begins, Dozens Of Projects Planned Citywide

There was much enthusiasm, a few hoots and a round of applause following unanimous adoption of an operating budget and a capital improvement program by the Lake Elsinore City Council Tuesday night.

"We've planned for this and now we're ready to ride the wave again," said Mayor Bob Magee.

Councilman Brian Tisdale said staff and city council have a united vision for Lake Elsinore.

"This is about quality of life in Lake Elsinore," Tisdale said. "Lake Elsinore is on the move."

More firefighters and police officers, a network of street repairs, a new fishery, freeway and monument signs that promote Lake Elsinore, a skate park, and an anticipated 800 new homes were among just some of the commitments for the city in the 2013/14 fiscal year that begins July 1.

During Tuesday night's meeting, the council approved both the 2013/14 operating budget and a five-year capital improvement program.

According to the figures presented by Lake Elsinore City Manager Grant Yates along with Director of Administrative Services James Riley, the city will have an operating budget of nearly $35 million in fiscal year 2013/14.

Key highlights include a nearly $2.3 million increase in projected general fund revenues. Yates attributed the increase, in part, to a better economy that’s seeing more home construction, increased consumer spending at local businesses, and more companies eyeing Lake Elsinore.

The city’s fund balance reserve is also expected to increase from $3.6 million in 2012/13 to $5.2 million in 2013/14.

Total projected revenues in 2013/14 are just over $27 million; total projected expenditures are nearly $30 million. The deficit is being covered by carryover revenue from last year and budget stabilization reserve, Yates and Riley pointed out.

During a budget workshop last month, City Manager Grant Yates said he was not overly concerned about the deficit.

“We have so much room to grow,” he said. “If we were a built-out city, I would be worried, but we’re not.”

Yates pointed to the city’s population of just over 50,000 residents.

“Our build out is more than 220,000,” he added. “We’re spending money to retain money.”

Long-time Lake Elsinore City Treasurer Allen Baldwin told council members and staff Tuesday night, "As many cities as I have worked for in Orange County, none of them do it as well as we do."

Baldwin praised former City Manager Bob Brady for seeing Lake Elsinore through the "dark times" of the recession, and he commended Yates for moving the city forward during these improving economic times.

What can residents expect in the upcoming year? Here's a general list of budget commitments made during Tuesday night's meeting:

1. With the opening of Rosetta Canyon Fire Station #97 on June 22, residents should expect more firefighters and faster response times in the city.
2. A beefed up police department that includes two additional motorcycle officers and a community services officer.
3. The hiring of another city engineer, a fire inspector and a building inspector. These positions are needed in order to meet the demands of the city's fast-paced development, Yates said. According to staff and council, the city is the fastest growing in the county and the third fastest-growing in the state. Eight-hundred new homes are scheduled to be built in the city during the upcoming year.
4. Three maintenance workers will be hired to help keep city property safer and cleaner.
5. A full-time special events coordinator is being added to meet the demands brought about by those offering entertainment in the city, such as fairs, concerts, action sports competitions, etc.
6. A full-time budget officer is being added to help mind the city's finances.
7. The following parks are being improved: Whisker's Beach (landscaping, parking, drainage), Summerlake (playground equipment improvements), Machado (playground equipment improvements) and Yarborough (playground equipment improvements), City Park (new picnic shade area), Lakepoint (parking lot improvements), and Swick-Matich (new fencing).
8. A fishery will open at La Laguna Resort to keep the lake stocked and healthy, and to provide an educational opportunity with the potential to attract school districts and educators from around the region.
9. A skate park will open at Serenity Park.
10. The San Jacinto River Nature Trails will be improved.
11. The historic Cultural Center on Main Street is getting a new roof.
12. Numerous street repairs will take place and the city is investing in new equipment that promises to make the fixes much faster.
13. The median at Collier Avenue and the Lake Elsinore Outlets will be beautified with landscaping and monument signs.
14. Main Street will see improvements.
15. Monument signs that welcome residents and visitors to Lake Elsinore will be placed on city-owned property at major intersections. Large monument signs will also be placed on the Franklin Street/15 Freeway overpass for both northbound and southbound motorists to see.