Orange County Supervisors Approve $10.8 Billion Budget

News Summary

The Orange County Board of Supervisors has approved a $10.8 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, increasing funds by $1.2 billion from last year. This budget assures consistent service levels, maintains nearly 19,000 positions, and includes significant pay raises for several officials. However, concerns over equity and financial pressures persist, with discussions around potential job cuts and liabilities from a recent disaster weighing on future budgets. As the county navigates these financial dynamics, the focus remains on community services and fiscal health.

Orange County Supervisors Cheerfully Approve Staggering $10.8 Billion Budget for Next Year

In a significant financial move, the Orange County Board of Supervisors recently gave the green light to a hefty $10.8 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which is set to kick off next month. This budget represents a considerable increase of around $1.2 billion compared to what was allocated last year, marking a pivotal moment in the county’s financial journey.

Balanced Approach Needed

As is customary, the board is obligated to adopt a balanced budget before the next fiscal year begins. With this new spending plan, officials assure residents that service levels will remain consistent with those of the previous year. This means that many familiar programs and services will continue to be in place, ensuring that the essence of what the county offers remains intact.

The budget also earmarks funds for nearly 19,000 positions within the county, with over 17,000 currently filled. This staffing strategy is critical to maintaining the wide array of county operations, which include everything from social services, landfills, and regional parks to the OC Sheriff’s Department and public works.

Pay Raises in the Spotlight

$244,000 annually, a considerable jump from the $195,000 they earned last year. This adjustment aims to ensure that executive pay is appropriate and reflective of their significant responsibilities.

While these pay raises have drawn some applause, not everyone is on board. One supervisor passionately voted against these raises, voicing concerns over equity and financial pressures the county faces.

CEO and Legal Counsel Salaries Increase

CEO Michelle Aguirre, who has previously held the position on an interim basis, is now officially appointed with a salary of $460,000. When combined with additional benefits, her total compensation is expected to reach $702,000, retroactive to earlier this month. Meanwhile, County Counsel Leon Page will see his annual salary rise to $362,000, up from $310,000. In light of these substantial increases, the salary for Public Defender Sara Nakada remains consistent, set at $333,070.

As discussions continue, a proposed pay raise for Sheriff Don Barnes was tabled for further evaluation, leaving questions around law enforcement compensation hanging in the air for now.

Liabilities and Future Financials

$410 million allocation towards the Property and Casualty Risk Internal Service fund to cover liability claims. Much of this funding is a direct response to the fallout from the recent Airport Fire incident, which devastated 160 homes and caused injuries to 22 individuals. Findings indicated that this fire was caused by county operations not adhering to best practices, raising serious concerns on multiple fronts.

Looking ahead, the county grapples with around $400 million in liability claims related to this fire, which will inevitably strain future budgets. The current budget does include a healthy increase in property tax revenue, contributing to a projected general fund budget of $5.4 billion. Yet, the Prop. 172 revenue, which supports law enforcement, is expected to dip by 2.5% compared to last year, causing a double whammy for the county’s financial landscape.

Job Cuts and Restorations?

163 jobs by leaving some vacant positions unfilled. However, ongoing conversations are happening about potentially restoring some of these cut jobs, particularly in the district attorney’s office, signaling that while budgetary concerns are vital, ensuring proper staffing levels is equally essential.

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Additional Resources

• OC Register: Orange County Board of Supervisors Approves Budget
• Wikipedia: Budget
• LA Times: Orange County Budget Increase
• Google Search: Orange County budget 2025
• Indy Week: Orange County Budget and Schools
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Local Government
• NBC Los Angeles: Orange County Budget Hike
• Google News: Orange County 2025 budget news

Author: HERE Huntington Beach