At the April 28 Irvine city council meeting, agenda item 5.2 Ranked Choice Voting Adoption was discussed by the councilmembers. Watch the council meeting video on the RCV agenda item here. The council voted 4-3 to have an ordinance drafted for the use of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for Irvine mayoral and city council elections […]
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The original interview was conducted on March 3rd, 2026. A follow-up was posed right before the publication of this interview. Questions and Responses have been edited for clarity. Utilities Christopher Wong: Cottie Petrie Norris recently sent out a newsletter saying they negotiated a small decrease at the beginning of this year, but SCE announced additional […]
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Are you passionate about improving transparency and accountability in local government? Do you have a knack for writing and want to make a difference in your community? Irvine Watchdog invites middle school, high school, and college students to submit original writing on civic issues affecting our city. Selected submissions will be published on Irvine Watchdog […]
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As much as any other place, Irvine is a project. Conceived by the Irvine Company, planned by an architect, and charted according to its much-vaunted master plan, this city has always been the product of deliberate, top-down intention rather than organic, bottom-up coincidence. But intention is always a complicated beast. It carries with it assumptions, […]
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Alarms have been sounding recently about the City of Irvine’s financial condition. In late February came the news that the Great Park’s operating budget was facing a structural deficit, with a current year shortfall of $7.5 million potentially increasing to $12.7 million in Fiscal Year 2029-2030. Less than two months later, the other shoe dropped […]
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Another Commissioner removed on a whim. This time, due to an article he published on Irvine Watchdog. Service on a commission or committee is a way for residents to serve their city. However, it is a position received through political appointment, which reveals a need for reform. The Problem: Appointments “At the Pleasure” Currently, Irvine […]
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