As cities receive additional rounds of COVID-19 relief funding, officials grapple with where and what to spend the grants on.
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 inWater, Power & Waste
Orange County’s New Electric Utility Still Doesn’t Have Money to Turn Lights On
The agency is two months late on establishing a credit line, holding up power purchases for residents throughout the county.
Posted inGovernment
Anaheim Among Cities Identified as High Risk for Financial Issues in New State Report
The concerns come after the city lost an estimated $38 million in tax revenue due to the pandemic, while other local cities showed a net gain in tax revenue over that time.
Posted inIrvine
Irvine Residents Demand City Council Action on Asphalt Factory Near Homes
Council members and residents have been at a standstill since a forum earlier this year, as open questions persist on what can be done to control the air quality.
Posted inWater, Power & Waste
OC Power Authority Approves Revised Conflict of Interest Code Following Transparency Criticism
The code will now be sent to county supervisors where it may be approved after a six month delay, but some residents and still criticize the lack of transparency.
Posted inGovernment
South Orange County Cities Look at How to Spend Millions in COVID Relief Money
As agencies throughout Orange County debate how to spend millions in relief funds, residents have focused on what each city is prioritizing.
Posted inWater, Power & Waste
OC Power Authority to Rewrite Conflict of Interest Code Without Fixing Transparency Concerns
Some Power Authority members have voiced concerns the agency’s code doesn’t go far enough to address transparency concerns for consultants.
Posted inGovernment
Irvine to Consider Increasing Great Park Residents’ Control Over Their Special Taxes
While neighborhood residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the city, they have almost no say on where that money goes.
Posted inEducation
OC Schools to Follow Mask Mandate as COVID Surges, Some Parents Rally Against Rule
Rallies are planned at school districts across the county this month as a parent group and the OC Board of Education moves to sue Gov. Gavin Newsom for the statewide school mask mandate.
Posted inIrvine
Irvine Residents Rail Against Great Park Special Tax While City Council Changes Park Name
Homeowners near the Great Park are on the hook for millions of dollars in special taxes to fund the park’s construction and they want a seat at the discussion table.
