In The News

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Robyn with 13 former Mayors of Newport Beach!

IN THE NEWS
PUBLISHED WORKS

Leadership is What Defines the Newport Beach City Council

Leadership seemingly comes in as many forms are there are forms of leaders. According to Nobel-prize winning author, James MacGregor in his book “Leadership,” there are more than 130 definitions of leadership. Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus in their work, “Leaders: Strategies of Taking Charge,” claim there are “at least 350.”

Of the many, this definition may very well embrace the Newport Beach City Council: “Leadership is a process whereby an individual (or several) may influence a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.” Newport’s seven council members were chosen for their previous leadership, or their promises if elected to be their representatives.  

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Newport Beach Independent

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City Councilmember Robyn Grant

Each new year, Newport Beach hosts a public planning session that serves as part city report card and part crystal ball. On this year’s agenda – city finances, public safety, infrastructure investments, planning priorities and customer service – residents are offered a clear picture of where we stand and where we’re going.

Finances Remain Strong

Newport Beach continues to be in excellent financial shape. General Fund revenues are projected at $338 million for FY 2025-26 and $350 million for FY 2026-27, reflecting steady, sustainable growth.

Where do we get the money? Property tax revenue, the city’s largest funding source, is projected at $163 million in FY 2025-26 and expected to increase by $7 million (4.5%) to $170 million in FY 2026-27. This growth is primarily driven by strong real estate sales and new construction.

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Stu News Newport

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“Safe Up” Newport: Sheriff Don Barnes Delivers Public Safety Briefing

At this month’s Wake Up Newport, hosted by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes delivered a candid and wide-ranging update on public safety. While expressing optimism about local initiatives, he emphasized several major challenges that require attention at both the state and federal level.

“We’re Doing Quite Well Here”

Sheriff Barnes opened with praise for local public safety efforts, calling Newport Beach’s team “incredible” and stating, “Nobody in the state does it better than us.” He emphasized proactive policing, community partnerships and a data-driven approach.

Barnes credited technology, especially license plate readers and public safety access to surveillance cameras in schools, shopping centers and other public places, as “game changers” in law enforcement. These tools have helped Orange County maintain their status as one of the safest urban counties in the nation.

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Robyn is a regular contributor to local publications including her column, Civics In The City, in the Newport Beach Independent.

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