IRVINE, Calif. — In a 5-2 vote Tuesday night, the Irvine City Council directed staff to return in two weeks with a proposal to place Ranked-Choice Voting before voters on the November ballot, advancing a controversial election reform proposal despite mounting financial concerns facing the City.

Voting in favor were Mayor Larry Agran and Councilmembers Kathleen Treseder, Betty Martinez Franco, Melinda Liu, and William Go. Councilmembers Mike Carroll and James Mai voted no.

The decision came during the same meeting in which city staff presented a sobering financial outlook showing Irvine facing a projected $6.3 million General Fund deficit this year and an additional $9.1 million deficit next year. Staff warned that rising healthcare costs, increasing insurance expenses, slowing revenue growth, declining automobile sales tax revenues, and growing personnel costs are placing unprecedented pressure on the City’s finances.

According to the City’s own report, initial Ranked-Choice Voting elections could cost two to three times more than current elections, with some estimates placing the increase at up to four times current costs. Staff further estimated that voter outreach and education programs alone could cost between $189,000 and $487,000 for the first election conducted under the new system.

Councilmembers Mike Carroll and James Mai were the only members of the Council to vote against moving the measure forward. The proposal is expected to return to the City Council in two weeks.