Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/michelle-steel/)
Newport Beach residents and small plane owners succeeded in getting county supervisors to step back from controversial plans to add more private jet spaces at John Wayne Airport.
County Supervisors took initial steps to partner with Placentia to create the state’s first financing district that both the city and county will chip in to redevelop Placentia’s Old Town infrastructure to bring in more tax revenue.
Smaller counties than OC have asked for and received tens of millions more in state and federal funds for preventative health and housing programs that studies have shown save taxpayer dollars overall, help homeless people get off the streets, and save lives.
OC Supervisors took the first step this month in creating a regional housing finance trust that will build 2,700 housing units for homeless people and affordable housing for low-income residents. Cities still need to sign up for the housing trust first.
Doug Chaffee, the former mayor of Fullerton, took office Tuesday. Supervisors also set March 12 as the date for a special election to replace the seat held until recently by Todd Spitzer.
In a break with their usual practice, the three supervisors who approved the ordinance did it without a cost estimate or funding identified to pay for the county staff time and outreach.
Government emails and text messages about enforcement of Orange County’s campaign finance laws will be destroyed two years after they’re sent or received, under a policy county supervisors approved Tuesday.
Officials noted the move is unnecessary because state law already requires it.
The supervisors’ most immediate action was to take control of the county’s internal auditors, who are supposed to function as watchdogs against fraud in county departments and currently report to the county’s independently-elected auditor-controller, Eric Woolery.
Orange County supervisors moved Tuesday to remove independent oversight of their actions, county finances, and the practices of the Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office.