Board members largely rejected a proposal to ease punishments on cities who misspent the funds.
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 inEconomy
Orange On Track for Bankruptcy in Three Years Without ‘Radical’ Change
A city-hired consultant warned that without major spending cuts and a new sales tax, the city was unlikely to stay out of bankruptcy by the end of the decade.
Posted inHuntington Beach
State Watchdog Won’t Probe Huntington Beach’s Nonprofit Library Group
While city council members reported the nonprofit to state investigators, alleging they broke the law, the Fair Political Practices Commission opted not to investigate further.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Orange County’s Medi-Cal Program Stockpiles $1.8 Billion Despite CA Auditor Concerns
Two years ago, state auditors told CalOptima’s leaders it needs to spend more money to provide healthcare for Orange County’s neediest residents, but its reserves have continued to grow.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Is OC’s District Attorney Leaning on His Campaign Donors to Pay a Court Fine?
After a judge ordered Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer to pay over $25,000 for retaliating against a whistleblower, he launched a legal defense fund to accept donations.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Flagship Mental Health Court Is Failing in Orange County
Despite years of promises on the program’s potential, a Voice of OC review found that CARE Court isn’t doing much.
Posted inEconomy
Huntington Beach Bolsters Contract Transparency
Surf City residents could soon see a new program designed to examine which of the city’s biggest contracts are and aren’t delivering on their promises.
Posted inTransportation
How Did the Santa Ana Streetcar Construction End up Costing Over $150 Million Per Mile?
A grand jury investigation found that the project has more than doubled its original budget and hasn’t shown any tangible benefits for the community.
Posted inGovernment
Surf City Leaders Propose Boosting Contract Oversight
The discussion comes as city leaders are debating just how much oversight they should have on the city’s many contracts.
Posted inEconomy
Orange County Cities Scramble to Patch Budget Gaps
A host of OC’s largest cities struggled to pass a balanced budget this year with officials in some places warning of a bleak fiscal outlook in the years ahead that could threaten public services.
