Public representatives join council members on revamped Newport Finance Committee

Four members of the public and three City Council members were appointed to Newport Beach’s newly restructured finance committee on a unanimous council vote Tuesday.

The committee provides recommendations to the City Council about the city’s budget and financial health, including issues such as pension costs and capital expenditures. The committee previously was made up of three council members, with no public representation.

Councilman Scott Peotter suggested restructuring the committee to allow the community to be more involved in the inner workings of city finances.

“I felt like there’s not enough transparency there,” Peotter said.

Elsewhere in Orange County, cities such as Costa Mesa and Irvine have public representation on their finance committees.

Newport Beach Mayor Pro Tem Diane Dixon and council members Keith Curry and Tony Petros will serve on the committee, with Curry as chairman. The four other members of the council appointed local residents to the committee.

Mayor Ed Selich appointed Planning Commission Chairman Larry Tucker, who has experience in investing, law and accounting, according to his application. Tucker previously served on the city’s charter update commission, the Civic Center and park design committee and the City Hall site committee.

Tucker plans to resign from the Planning Commission to serve on the finance committee. Council policy says a person cannot serve on more than one board at a time.

Councilman Marshall “Duffy” Duffield appointed Jack Wu, who has 18 years of experience as president of a tax and accounting company, according to his application.

Councilman Kevin Muldoon selected John Warner, a longtime resident with a degree in business management. Before he retired, Warner was chief executive of several large apparel companies, including Quiksilver and O’Neill. Warner also is vice chairman of the Orange County Republican Party, his application states.

Peotter tapped Bill McCullough, a 25-year resident with experience as chief executive and president at tech, software and publishing companies.

All committee members will serve for one year.

New fire engines

In other action Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved the purchase of two fire engines at a cost of $1.2 million.

The new trucks will be funded from the Municipal Operations Department’s equipment replacement budget, according to a staff report.

The Newport Beach Fire Department operates 11 fire engines. Eight are in service around the clock at the city’s eight fire stations. Three trucks are in a reserve unit and brought out only during “significant events” like wildfires.

Fire engines are usually replaced every 10 years, the staff report states. The two new trucks will replace two that were purchased in 2001 and 2003.