The biggest spending so far is on law enforcement salaries and OC’s first veteran’s cemetery.
Author Archives: Nick Gerda
Nick covers the city of Santa Ana, as well as the County of Orange, often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health, and the role of money in politics.
Since joining Voice of OC in 2011, Nick has regularly shed light on topics that are often kept in the shadows. He’s reported on systemic problems in the county’s mental health system. He also led a reporting team that produced sophisticated looks at how the Disney corporation campaign contributions influenced recent elections in Anaheim.
Nick also revealed evidence of elected leaders using their official powers to apparently pressure government contractors into donating to their election campaigns, in an article that was awarded best news story of the year by the Orange County Press Club. He firmly believes journalism should inform the public and help hold the powerful accountable.
An Orange County native, Nick first started covering local government in his mid-teens, before attending Santa Ana College, the American University in Cairo, and UC Irvine, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Languages spoken: English, elementary Spanish, minimal Arabic and minimal Japanese
Areas of expertise: Local government, local politics, homelessness, mental health policy, campaign finance, California Public Records Act, Ralph M. Brown Act, County of Orange government, Santa Ana city government and municipal finance.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
New Housing Bills Allowing for Denser Neighborhoods Sharply Divide OC’s State Legislators
If signed into law, the bills would allow up to four homes per single-family parcel, and let cities and counties to waive environmental review for developments of up to 10 units.
Posted inCountywide
Two OC Supervisors Back Scathing Report on Sheriff Training as Taxpayers Pay Millions for Lawsuits
Excessive force claims have cost Orange County taxpayers over $13 million in payouts over the last decade, with total sheriff lawsuit payouts topping $40 million, according to county data.
Posted inCountywide
OC Sheriff Staff Have Lowest Self-Reported Vaccination Rate as COVID Outbreaks Increase in County Workforce
Over 130 county staff have been infected so far this month at work – more than double the number in the full month of July, and 18 times as many as in June.
Posted inCountywide
County Works to Clean Toxic Land in Santa Ana Before Putting Low-Income Homes on Site
A total of 86 homes are proposed on the site, which the county says is contaminated with tetrachloroethylene. It likely causes cancer in humans, according to the EPA.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
COVID Outbreaks Hit OC Social Services; Workers Want Return to Outdoor Operations
While workplace outbreaks have been happening over the past month, OC’s Social Services Agency has been hit the hardest — where many workers deal with residents face to face
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
OC Murder Conviction Thrown Out as Misconduct Accusations Fly at High-Level Prosecutor
The DA’s office moved to overturn the conviction after public defenders discovered what they allege was illegal withholding of evidence that sheriff investigators had unlawfully used jail informants in the case.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
OC Supervisors Bury Public COVID Updates, Shut Down Effort to Have Experts Answer Questions
As local coronavirus hospitalizations increase, most Orange County supervisors are continuing to shut down public discussions and data presentations about the virus’ spread.
Posted inEconomy
OC Could Slash $25 Million in Small Business Fees Under Supervisor’s Proposal
Many small business owners have struggled to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, they could be getting a break on millions in fees they pay for health inspections.
Posted inGovernment
Millions Over Budget, Years Late and Glitchy: OC is Still Working on New Property Tax System
The original price tag has nearly doubled to $14 million, and it’s running more than two years behind schedule.
