As cities begin to evaluate the loss in tax revenue due to coronavirus, different measures are being put in place to reduce spending and adjust upcoming budgets.
Author Archives: Noah Biesiada
Noah Biesiada serves as Voice of OC’s county reporter, covering the county board of supervisors and the $9 billion government they oversee.
Biesiada started as an intern in July 2019, helping launch Voice of OC’s disaster news coverage and report on the cities of south Orange County such as Irvine, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, and other coastal cities like Huntington Beach and San Clemente.
Currently, Biesiada’s reporting is focused on county agencies such as the sheriff’s department, the courts, and other departments along with the cities of Irvine and Huntington Beach.
His reporting has led to a host of reforms across Orange County governments including the Orange County Power Authority, the OC Fire Authority and Irvine’s Great Park.
He’s won several awards from state and local press organizations for his reporting on the county’s disaster preparedness, breaking news and other investigations and won 2023 Online Journalist of the Year from the LA Press Club.
Languages spoken: English
Contact: nbiesiada@voiceofoc.org
Posted inFullerton
Fullerton Joins Cities Requiring Masks In Stores for Coronavirus Protection
In a 3-2 vote, the city council expanded on the board of supervisors order requiring both retail employees and residents to wear masks while shopping in essential businesses.
Posted inOrange
Orange City Council Orders Closure Of Birth Tourism Hotel This Month
After a city review found multiple building and fire code violations, the council voted unanimously to close the motel that catered exclusively to Chinese women looking to give birth in the US.
Posted inCountywide, Irvine, Top Stories
UC Irvine Students Wrestle With Lease Break Payments
College students living in the University Town Center managed by the Irvine Company are trying to return home after the university was shut down, but can’t afford the payments to break their leases early.
Posted inCENTRAL COUNTY, Huntington Beach, Top Stories
Huntington Beach Approves Controversial Raises For Police And City Employees
In a heated 4-3 vote, the city council approved over $5 million in new raises for city police, public executives and workers. Supporters say the increase was already negotiated and thus should be approved despite coronavirus economic impact concerns. Opponents argued against increasing costs in the current environment, arguing the new salary contracts could lead to financial trouble.
Posted inCountywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Laguna Beach, Top Stories
Orange County Releases Coronavirus Statistics For Smaller Cities
Amid public pushes for more transparency, county health officials released the information on which cities of less than 25,000 people had over five confirmed cases.
Posted inCountywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Government, Health & Wellness, Irvine, NEWS, Politics & Elections, REGIONS, Santa Ana, Top Stories, Westminster
How Coronavirus Will Affect OC Special Elections This Year
In-person voting has been cancelled for a special recall election in Westminster. It’s still up in the air whether Santa Ana’s special recall election will follow suit.
Posted inAnaheim, Costa Mesa, Emergencies & Disasters, Irvine, Top Stories
Cities Across Orange County Adopt Eviction Ban Ordinances
Cities across Orange County cities are adopting bans on evictions due to the economic fallout from the state’s stay home order. To date, Santa Ana, Anaheim and Costa Mesa have adopted bans while cities like Irvine and Garden Grove have adopted softer consumer protections. Meanwhile, questions mount about what the bans will do to smaller property owners.
Posted inCountywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Top Stories
OC Officials Will Not Release What Cities Have Identified Coronavirus Cases
Orange County health officials will not list what cities have cases, a big difference than Los Angeles and San Diego. OC officials acknowledge cities have requested privacy and they think it’s counterproductive to say where the cases come from.
Posted inCountywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Irvine, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Evictions in Orange County Likely To Pause Due To Coronavirus
Multiple cities are considering eviction moratoriums for tenants impacted by coronavirus, meanwhile county court closures also likely impact any evictions from moving forward in the near term.
