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Series: CARES Act Funds

OC Supervisors Spent More Covid Response Money on Sheriff Staff Than Health Workers

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

oct 8 2019

By Nick Gerda Nick Gerda | January 25, 2021
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When it comes to federal dollars meant for “responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency,” Orange County officials have been spending far more of it on sheriff officials than public health workers, according to official data.

After months of pushing from Voice of OC under the state’s Public Records Act, County of Orange officials this month released a summary of payouts from CARES Act funds to county agencies as well as individual vendors. 

When it comes to public agencies, county administrators spent $93 million of their CARES Act funds on payroll at the Sheriff’s Department, compared with $58 million on Health Care Agency employees, according to the latest-available data from the county, which runs through the third quarter of last year.

County officials provided the data after multiple requests from Voice of OC for greater transparency around how the county spent the half-billion dollars in CARES Act money it received in April.


This article is part of an ongoing series on how federal money for combatting coronavirus was spent in Orange County. Tomorrow, we’ll list the top vendors getting CARES Act funds from the County of Orange. Click here for a full list of CARES Act spending stories published so far.


The CARES Act law says the funds can only be used for “necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).”

Sheriff officials say the relief money for their department’s staff has mainly funded salaries at jails and two operations centers run by the Sheriff’s Department.

“Everything that we submitted is allowable under the guidance document from the Department of Treasury,” said Carrie Braun, spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

“The vast majority of it is salary and benefits for standing up both the department’s operations center and the emergency operations center, [and] for staff inside of our custody facility and the operations that go along with that,” Braun added.

“We’re very cautious to make sure that what we’re submitting was allowable, and submitting what we felt was accurately representing the department’s response to the pandemic.”

The ultimate decision on which staff to fund with CARES Act money has been up to county CEO Frank Kim’s office.

For the last two weeks, Voice of OC has been asking Kim’s spokeswoman, Molly Nichelson, which sheriff and public health jobs were funded by the CARES Act money. That information has yet to be provided.

Asked why more CARES Act money went to sheriff officials than public health workers, county officials say they followed Treasury Department guidance that the money can fund employees whose jobs “have been diverted to substantially different functions” that are “substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency.”

“The use of CARES Act funds for payroll in the Sheriff’s Department and the Health Care Agency were determined through applying the CARES Act Guidance and subsequent FAQs,” county spokeswoman Molly Nichelson told Voice of OC in a written response to questions.

“The use of CARES Act funds in these two departments was for payroll costs where employees performed duties substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to COVID-19.”

According to the Treasury guidance, local governments can use CARES Act money to cover employee salaries such as “redeploying corrections facility staff to enable compliance with COVID-19 public health precautions through work such as enhanced sanitation or enforcing social distancing measures,” and “the costs of redeploying police to support management and enforcement of stay-at-home orders.”

Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes has repeatedly said his department will not enforce stay-at home-orders.

Since receiving the federal CARES Act funds in April totaling $554 million, county officials say they have used it to pay for coronavirus testing for the public, motels for homeless people, small business grants, and costs at county departments like the Health Care Agency and Sheriff’s Department.

Earlier in the pandemic, Kim, the county CEO, said the CARES Act funds cannot be used to backfill for revenues that were lost due to the economic downturn.

County officials say they have just about spent all of their CARES Act relief funds.

They plan on covering testing costs through March out of the county’s own general fund, though those revenues have taken a hit from the economic slowdown.

“Our plan is to continue the testing program for at least the first quarter of the new year,” county CEO Frank Kim told Voice of OC last month. “We need funding since these costs will be supported by general funds which are already impacted and at levels less than what departments need to maintain current service levels.”

Kim has also said county legislative advocates are now focused on getting more state and federal relief money for the county.

Nick Gerda covers county government for Voice of OC. You can contact him at [email protected].

How can I sign up for a vaccine?

For full details on the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County view our Voice of OC vaccine page that is constantly updated and has links of where to register for an appointment: http://bit.ly/occovidvaccine.

What is COVID-19? Do I have it?

INFORMATION View the CDC website. View OC's website. View the latest OC case counts.

TRANSLATIONS See the county's guides in non-English languages. Learn key Coronavirus facts in Vietnamese and Spanish via VietRise. See VietRISE guides in Spanish and Vietnamese.

PROTECTION To limit exposure, the CDC recommends: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with others, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when around others, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

SYMPTOMS The CDC identifies these key symptoms that can occur any time between 2 and 14 days after exposure: Fever or chills, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches,  headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. If you suspect Coronavirus, CALL your primary medical provider.

EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS If you display any of the following emergency warning signs, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.

RISK The CDC identifies people most at risk for serious illness: Older adults, and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

What is open?

RESIDENTS The County of Orange offers a list of notices and news on what guidance is given for families and persons.

SCHOOLS The latest information for the county is available from the Orange County Board of Education.

STATE GUIDE TO WHAT IS OPEN A full list of statewide guidelines for what is open and what is closed.

SOCIAL DISTANCING Staying away from other people is called "social distancing." The aim is to SLOW the spread of Coronavirus so as to not overwhelm the nation's health care systems and so that people in need can get help. The Washington Post explains: "The spread (of COVID-19) can be slowed, public health professionals say, if people practice "social distancing" by avoiding public spaces and generally limiting their movement."

What support is available?

STRESS & ANXIETY Stress and anxiety can be triggered by the situation and resources are available to help from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and from the American Psychology Association. Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious, here are tips on talking with children about COVID-19.

MENTAL HEALTH The County of Orange offers a list of available mental health support services.

FIRST RESPONDERS The County of Orange offers these support services for first responders and health care workers.

BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS The County of Orange offers a list of up-to-date guidelines for business and faith-based/community organizations.

FOOD ASSISTANCE Voice of OC offers a weekly list of available food pantries in Orange County. You can also apply for food benefits over the phone through the CalFresh program at 800-281-9799 or online.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Buses and trains still offer service, but routes have been reduced so make sure to check your route ahead of time.

HOMELESSNESS The County of Orange offers a list of available shelter beds and other resources.

GENERAL FINANCIAL HELP Here are some services:

  •   • Find information on unemployment and disability benefits.
  •   • The Orange County Social Services Agency, despite closing its lobby, is processing online filings for assistance programs. This includes emergency cash assistance for immediate needs like rent or medical bills. The phone line has averaged a 30 minute wait time and offers a callback service, but people are encouraged to apply for benefits online.
  •   • Residents can apply for any of these programs by calling 800-281-9799.

RESTAURANT OWNERS & EMPLOYEES You can find a detailed list of resources available to restaurant owners and employees

How can I help?

VOLUNTEERING A statewide guide offers examples of ways to volunteer safely during Coronavirus. Options include, but are not limited to: donating plasma, making cloth face masks and supporting local food banks. Orange County's Second Harvest Food Bank lists support options online.

DONATIONS An Orange County Community Resilience Fund has been started through the OC Community Foundation to raise money for local nonprofits and volunteer organizations.

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SUBTOPICS:
  • Government
  • Safety, Security & Justice
  • Top Stories
  • CARES Act
  • Orange County Board of Supervisors
  • Orange County Coronavirus
  • Orange County Sheriffs Department
  • Series: CARES Act Funds

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