Last November, the Orange City Council paused the Mills Act program to study its costs and impacts. This Tuesday, September 22nd, they’ll decide what comes next — and the stakes couldn’t be higher for historic homeowners and preservation advocates across the city.
Here’s what we know so far: contract holders just received notice that their annual program fee will jump from $100 to $728 — a 682% increase — effective immediately. What else is on the table? We don’t know yet. The City indicated that additional details would be released on September 17th. As of this morning, those details had not been posted.
That’s not a great sign.
What the Mills Act Actually Does for Homeowners
The Mills Act isn’t just a historic preservation tool — it’s one of the most powerful financial benefits available to owners of qualifying historic properties in California. Here’s what’s at stake:
• Significant property tax savings.
• Those savings are reinvested where they belong — into the home.
• It increases long-term value
• It’s transferable.
• Future homeowners benefit too
Showing up in person sends a message that no eComment can replicate. The Council needs to see faces — homeowners, neighbors, history lovers, anyone who has ever walked through Old Towne and felt something. Come ready to speak, or simply come ready to stand.
📍 Orange City Council Meeting
📅 Tuesday, September 22 | 6:00 PM
📍 300 East Chapman Avenue, Orange
Can’t attend in person? Submit a comment via eComment once the agenda is posted:
👉 https://cityoforange.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3
Note: Not all Council members review eComments before the meeting. In-person attendance is the single most effective way to make your voice heard.
The City of Orange is recognized across California for its remarkable concentration of intact historic homes. That didn’t happen by accident — it happened because people showed up, spoke up, and cared. Now it’s our turn.
Be there Tuesday. Check the link in our bio for full story and updates
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#historic #standup #community #architecture #homesweethome
a month agoloves4dogs
So what happened at the council meeting on 9/22/26 about the Mills Act. Stayed until 9:30 and they had not gotten to it at that point.
a month agossfhas3corgis
The city used Matrix consulting firm - and you know how they work- they fit the reports to what the city tells them is their agenda
a month agoaczyk__
This whole city is turning into a joke. Long Beach 2.0. Where investors call all the shots. In 8 yrs my neighborhood is mostly rentals now. And one neighbor even has the nerve to run a full blown carpet business at his house. You look up his carpet business, it's registered to some townhome in Irvine? Everyone just uses and abuses Orange to profit from it.
a month agossfhas3corgis
Choose your mayor & council candidates very carefully. Those who take a hard stance on whether they support the Mills Act or want to choke it out. Vote for the candidate that understand neighborhood preservation from those who view historic homes as a budget fix. Put the blame where it belongs- back on the city hall mismanagement . Mayor? Council? Vote for those fighting for historic homes and will fight for the Mills Act,
a month agoesotouric
Eric Garcetti did this in Los Angeles and the impact has been extremely negative--fight like hell, do not let them take the Mills Act away!
a month agolmst51
Won’t OTPA be speaking out to protect the Mill’s Act program and support historic property owners?
a month agostephgeorge17
I'd go and look at the city of Anaheim's program. No charge. No limit on the number of applications. Years ago, the city was skeptical. "Will we lose money on property tax? How will we manage this?" However, the results surprised everyone. Pride of ownership. Increased neighborhood commitment to enhancing homes and community. It made pockets of Anaheim BETTER. They now have a dedicated PAID team that processes initial applications. Check them out. They'll tell you that City Council is 100% the Mills Act.
a month agolmst51
Isn’t the Mill’s Act program a drop in the bucket of the city’s budget? It is a very cost effective program as for a small amount of $, private citizens are required to restore their homes’ exteriors - this pumps $ into the local economy & increases tourism and spending in the historic downtown.
a month agosimplynoire
I feel like the real estate bros in local office are working against the best interest of homeowners and community in the city. I’m sure they’d make lots of money by selling houses to investors.
a month agoheathermorey3
As a homeowner in Old Towne on the Mills Act, if they take away the property tax benefit there is 0% incentive to upkeep our home to the historic standards. Our historic homes are what brings most visitors to our Towne and they want to penalize us? On the flip side, if they take away the Mills Act we can tear it down and build the house of our dreams, right?
a month agossfhas3corgis
They are required by law to disclose all city visits and staff program costs. This is a contract we just lost. Fight people
a month agossfhas3corgis
There is so much to this decision you have no idea. Members of Orange city council don’t like that they don’t get a tax break ( it is the only preservation tool that the city of Orange offers or offered) the only compromise the city accepted was a 700% fee increase. Why 700% - because that is the exact amount that the city “ loses” from Mills Act property taxes. No offer of a graduated payment increase- no offer to long term contract holders that are in compliance and have paid all mills act fees- no offer to collect fees from contract holders that are not in compliance. There are 3 council members that want the mills act gone. They colluded and made “ deals” hmmm- back room deals- “ l’ll give you this if you give me what I want “. Dig deep. Ask for FOIA documents , e mails etc. This is corruption and dirty.
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