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Utilities roll out FY2026 budget with AMI meter plan, continued landfill work and alternative‑supply projects
Summary
Orange County Utilities proposed a self‑funded FY2026 operating budget of about $398 million, outlined a multi‑year CIP of roughly $1.5 billion, advanced plans for advanced metering, stormwater reuse projects and landfill cell work, and warned construction and energy costs are pressuring rates.
Orange County Utilities presented its FY2026 budget July 16, describing a financially self‑sustaining operating plan that reflects rising costs for electricity, contracted services and landfill projects while proposing investments in advanced metering, treatment upgrades and alternative water supply projects.
Ed Torres, Utilities director, told commissioners the total operating budget for FY2026 is about $398 million; without a large new franchise hauling contract for solid waste the year‑over‑year increase would have been less than 5 percent. The department is financially self‑supported — utilities operations are paid for by user rates and tipping fees rather than general fund property taxes.
Key takeaways - Rates and revenues: The county is in year three of a previously approved multi‑year…
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