Chairman Spitzer Delivers State of the County
By: OC Supervisor Todd Spitzer
Chairman Spitzer delivered the State of the County address this week at the Board of Supervisors meeting. He provided a financial history of the County and announced that in 2014, the County is on course to pay off the General Fund obligations from the County’s bankruptcy that started over 20 years ago. Orange County’s programs and capital projects have been severely underfunded with the bankruptcy debt. However, with the debt paid off, the County of Orange will only be moderately underfunded. Orange County still owes the state Vehicle License Fee money, and still suffers from funding inequity issues. Overall, Orange County’s financial situation is improving.
Recently, Supervisor Spitzer charged the Orange County Executive Officer, Mike Giancola to work with the Orange County Transportation Authority CEO, Darrell Johnson to form a “think tank group” comprised of CEOs from multi-governmental jurisdictions, members from the Orange County business community and elected officials. This new group will brainstorm, converse and problem solve on issues that face our respective organizations and opportunities to show visionary leadership.
In order to assist Supervisor Spitzer in facilitating these visioning discussions, the Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Supervisor Spitzer to serve on the Association of California Cities (ACCOCC). Supervisor Spitzer expressed the value in the County of Orange working with Lacy Kelly, ACCOCC Chief Executive Officer and the member local officials.
“The future of Orange County is blooming before us with the climate of the post-bankruptcy and the improved economy but there are crucial questions that face us in terms of setting the vision of who we want to be in the County and in the region,” said Chairman and Third District Supervisor Todd Spitzer.
Spitzer said that he will continue to work with the Board of Supervisors to develop a visionary direction for the County of Orange that serves the residents and business community and that will help position the County to “step up their game” as a leader in the region and the State.