Yorba Linda city council, Placentia-Yorba Linda school board update future planning documents

Earlier this month, Yorba Linda City Council members and Placentia-Yorba Linda school trustees adopted updated planning documents designed to guide future policy decisions.

The council's action readopted four citywide goals that were initially approved in 2011. The goals were reaffirmed in 2017, with 12 strategic budget priorities added to aid in making spending choices for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 fiscal years.

Now, three of the priorities have been revised to assist council in crafting budgets for 2019-20 and 2020-21 that are scheduled for approval before the July 1 start date.

One revision: “Continue the city's three-year progress toward accelerating the elimination of the city's pension and retiree medical liabilities and work toward eliminating the city's final remaining unfunded need – a small remaining deficit in required annual road maintenance funding.”

Another: “Continue to ensure that the (Landscape Maintenance Assessment District's) local landscaping zones do not require a general fund subsidy.” The city has been paying some costs in several of 34 zones because property owner assessments haven't met expenses.

And a third revision: “Continue to build upon recent advances in the city's communications efforts through an active community engagement strategy that uses the latest internet and social media technologies.”

In a report to the council, Finance Director Scott Catlett stated that because the goals are now eight years old, the city will hire a consultant to work with staff to develop a new strategic plan.

He noted the process would not be completed in time for results to be incorporated into the upcoming two-year budget, but the new goals would be used for the 2021-2023 cycle.

The current goals include “To provide a high-quality community environment for all Yorba Linda residents and businesses” and “To provide high-quality, constituent-friendly city services.”

Also, “To establish, maintain and encourage a vibrant commercial and retail environment that provides business opportunities throughout the community” and “To ensure the short-term and long-term financial security for the city.”

The school district adopted a five-year strategic plan for 2019-2024 that includes a revised mission statement: “We inspire all students through rigorous and relevant educational experiences that empower them to become responsible, ethical and contributing citizens.”

The plan readopts four core values – excellence, collaboration, integrity and innovation – and five focus areas – academic achievement, effective instruction and leadership, engaged community, safe and respectful environment and optimized resources.

Each focus area has five or six specific strategies that will “direct the work of our staff and the use of our resources,” according to a report to trustees from Rick Lopez, assistant superintendent for human resources, and Linda Adamson, director of educational services.