Item 30 - Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Work Study Session

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Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Work Study Session May 5, 2026 Page 7 To create synergy between stadium events and local hospitality businesses, staff will ensure Wendy Haase-Roberts of Travel Santa Ana is invited to the City's Special Events Roundtable each month, where she will receive updates and a 10-week outlook on all street events, Citywide special events, and third-party events, including those at the stadium. In addition, staff will engage during Travel Santa Ana's quarterly meetings to exchange information and contribute to strategy. City management expects that the enhanced collaboration will enable hospitality businesses to capitalize on stadium events, leading to additional sales tax and hotel visitors' tax revenue. Now that the City has successfully hosted large-scale multi-day events at the stadium, staff expects to maximize stadium and related revenue through the proposed 14% increase for single-day use; Facility Use Agreements for multi-day use; improved communications with Travel Santa Ana; and proposed improvements to the security fencing, restrooms, and facility to host food trucks for a fee. To improve the marketability of the Stadium, staff proposes $1.6 million in capital spending to replace the security fencing around the entire perimeter, refurbish the upper concourse restrooms, demolish the snack shack, and install the necessary infrastructure for food truck service at events to generate additional fee income. The Acquisition & Development District 2 has an expected spendable fund balance of $2.4 million as of June 30, 2026, sufficient to cover the $1.6 million project. To enhance the facility's future athletic use, the City would need to fund a project to rehabilitate the locker rooms, which is currently estimated to cost at least $2.2 million. Staff has not yet identified funding for such a project. Paramedic Service Charges The City's current paramedic service rates are well below industry standards and regional market levels. Charges for Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) are approximately 27% to 55% lower than those of comparable providers across Orange County, where typical rates range from about $1,852 to $3,200, depending on service level. To better align with regional practices, staff recommends adjusting paramedic service charges to match the rates set by the Orange County Emergency Medical Services (OCEMS). These rates are widely used across Orange County and represent a consistent, market-supported standard for ambulance billing. A comparison of current rates, regional ranges, and proposed rates is provided below: Service Type Current Rate Proposed Peer Range OCEMS Rate BLS Base $1,254 $2,517 $1,852 — $2,800 ALS E (Emergency) $1,485 $3,049 $2,041 — $3,200