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Mayor Reich delivers State of the City citing balanced budget, Olympic training deal and public‑safety investments
Summary
Mayor Bob Reich told the Mission Viejo City Council the city closed the prior fiscal year with an operating surplus and adopted a balanced FY25–26 budget (a $97.5 million operating budget and $10.1 million in capital improvements), highlighted an agreement to host Dutch Olympic athletes and outlined public‑safety and infrastructure investments.
Mayor Bob Reich delivered his State of the City address, telling residents that the council and staff had closed the prior fiscal year with an operating surplus and adopted a balanced fiscal year 2025–26 budget that includes a $97,500,000 operating budget and a $10,100,000 capital improvement program. "Through sound financial planning and strategic cost‑saving measures, we closed the fiscal year with an operating surplus," Reich said. He noted the city retains a Standard & Poor's bond rating shared by a small number of California cities.
Reich spotlighted economic development and tourism gains, including a multi‑year agreement to host athletes from the Netherlands Olympic Committee and said that contribution will exceed $1,000,000 in training‑related spending. He credited increased participation at Montenoso and Sierra recreation centers (up 15%) and rising library visits (up 17%). On capital projects he cited Providence Mission Hospital’s approved Tower 3 expansion (a proposed six‑story, 174,000‑square‑foot building and a new two‑acre park) and the city’s recent acquisition and reinvestment at Oso Creek Golf Course.
On public safety and hazard mitigation, Reich said Mission Viejo received a $2,000,000 CAL FIRE grant for wildfire fuel‑reduction work and described a pilot that used goats to clear nonnative vegetation at Geronimo Open Space. "This work has been critical," he said. Reich also announced the council had approved a license‑plate‑reader system and said staff used the new cameras to help locate a person with felony warrants connected to a fraud investigation. City staff and council members said the city will continue investments in pedestrian safety, including enhanced crosswalks and ADA ramps at priority locations.
The mayor closed by emphasizing community programs and events, including a new multiday Barbecue Musical Fest and ongoing work to position Mission Viejo as a training destination for Olympic and Paralympic athletes preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. "Leading this city is not just about guiding policy. It's about listening, working together, and ensuring that every voice in our community is heard," Reich said.
