City leaders are questioning if they can afford an 18% raise for officers amid a growing budget deficit.
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 inGovernment
Orange County’s Cold War on Labor: Frozen Vacancies and Limited Raises
While county unions generally receive raises from county supervisors, this year they’re facing more limited raises amid a shrinking work force and a 25% raise for supervisors.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
OC Election’s Chief Rejects Newport Beach Initiatives Ordered by Judge
It’s now unclear when Newport Beach voters could vote on a series of initiatives aimed at expanding transparency, establishing term limits and shifting the city to district elections.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
OC Judge Forces Newport Beach Leaders to Put Charter Reforms On November Ballot
Newport Beach voters now could vote on four initiatives that would reshape the city charter to expand transparency, throw out the housing plan and limit city council members terms this November.
Posted inTop Stories
Former OC Superior Court Judge Sentenced to Probation for Fraud
Former OC Superior Court Judge Israel Claustro will not go to prison after he pleaded guilty to a yearslong fraud scheme from before he was elected to a judgeship.
Posted inCountywide
Orange County Supervisors Deal with Dana Point Harbor Hotels in the Dark
Supervisors abruptly pulled the discussion out of the public eye on Tuesday morning amid last minute concerns about a lease they’ve been debating for months.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
Garden Grove Chemical Plant Behind Evacuations to Reopen, Offering $100 Million in Claims
The claims program has not opened, with the company pledging it will be launched some time this fall.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Judge Orders Newport Beach to Move Forward with Ballot Initiatives
The four ballot initiatives have the power to reshape how much control city leaders have over housing and records, with a judge noting they took steps to keep them off the ballot.
Posted inTop Stories
Huntington Beach Pumps Brakes on Raises for Police Amid Budget Concerns
City council members asked for more studies on whether they could afford the raise, leaving officers without an active contract for the moment.
Posted inEconomy
Fullerton Looks to Adopt New Budget a Month Late With Millions in Cuts
The city is facing serious problems with their budget, with plans to balance it for this year but no answers on what the future holds.
