| January 9, 2014 |
 |
Volume 2 Issue 1 |
|
|
| Orange County’s Credit Rating Upgraded by National Rating Agency |
|
 (Portions Courtesy of County Executive Office)
A recovering local economy and “very strong” management practices led to a recent upgrade to the County’s creditworthiness by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), one of the “Big Three” national credit rating agencies.
“This is a testament to the County’s efforts to govern in a fiscally responsible manner,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “Despite the fiscal challenges that face us, we have worked to protect vital services for Orange County citizens, like public safety, roads, and flood control.”
The County’s issuer credit rating went to ‘AA’ from ‘AA-,’ while its rating on outstanding general obligation debt went to ‘AA-‘ from ‘A+’ in action taken late last month. The new ratings are within S&P’s “high quality” range. Additionally, the agency noted that the County has no variable-rate debt.
The upgrades came despite continued concern about the County’s budget flexibility and large pension obligation. The County must begin repaying $150 million in vehicle license fee revenues to the State beginning next fiscal year. The Orange County Employee Retirement System currently is 62.5% funded.
“This is a welcome acknowledgement of the hard work by County leadership to make the best of a bad situation,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Shawn Nelson said. “Our financial challenge is serious but we are managing it.”
The S&P ratings analysis said the County’s outlook is stable and not expected to be revised within the next two years.
“The stable outlook reflects our view of the county’s very strong economy and adequate budgetary flexibility, which is supported by very strong management conditions,” the S&P ratings report said. “We believe the county will maintain reserves that include a set-aside of amounts due to the state…and very strong liquidity.”
|
| |
 |
| |
| Labor Agreement Finalized with OC’s Operations and Maintenance Employees |
|
 (Portions Courtesy of County Executive Office)
The Alliance of Orange County Workers, representing operations and maintenance employees, is the latest bargaining union to approve a new labor agreement with the County.
“This agreement delivers critical cost savings for taxpayers by addressing escalating health insurance costs but also provides fair compensation for these employees,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “This agreement shows consensus and compromise are possible to reach the best interests of both workers and taxpayers.”
The agreement was ratified last month by AOCW for a term extending from December 17, 2013, to June 11, 2015. AOCW represents 432 employees employed in 30 different classifications within the County, including airport maintenance workers, automotive mechanics, custodians, laborers, park maintenance workers and power/landfill equipment operators.
The previous contract for AOCW expired in 2012. In May 2012, the parties entered into lengthy negotiations culminated with several proposals exchanged throughout October and November.
The ratified agreement reflects the Board of Supervisors’ desire to address escalating health-insurance costs with its employee groups. AOCW members already pay their full employee share toward their pensions. Additionally, new operations and maintenance workers will be hired under a lower pension benefit now in effect for all new hires, reflecting the stark fiscal realities facing the County.
“We’re thankful to the AOCW for working with us to reach an agreement that recognizes the budgetary strain on the County as well as the hard work these employees provide to the public,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Shawn Nelson said.
The County is still negotiating with four of seven unions who have not yet signed labor contracts. Additionally, talks are being initiated with the Orange County Managers Association to replace their current agreement.
|
| |
|
| |
| John Wayne Airport Releases 2013 Passenger Survey Results |
|
|
| |
(Portions Courtesy of John Wayne Airport)
The 2013 Passenger Survey, conducted to measure traveler preferences and satisfaction, found that John Wayne Airport continues to earn very high approval ratings from visitors and Orange County residents. Survey respondents gave the highest marks in the areas of safety, customer service and cleanliness of the Airport.
“With almost nine million passengers each year, John Wayne Airport is one of the most visible County agencies,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “For many visitors, John Wayne Airport is their first encounter with Orange County, and it is critical that the Airport provide the best possible customer experience.”
The 2013 Passenger Survey included feedback from visitors and residents through telephone and intercept (in-Terminal) surveys. Some key findings include:
- Both telephone and intercept respondents gave John Wayne Airport an “A” grade for overall customer service, feeling safe and secure and cleanliness.
- Ninety-five percent of telephone survey respondents and 98% of intercept respondents gave an “A” or a “B” when asked to rate their overall satisfaction with the Airport.
- Ninety-two percent of telephone survey respondents and 84% of intercept respondents cited convenient location as their top reason for using John Wayne Airport.
- Thirty-one percent of passengers print their boarding passes at the new Common Use Passenger Processing System kiosks, installed throughout the Riley Terminal in 2011, and gave the new system an “A” grade for ease of use.
- As in prior surveys, passengers cite the internet (airport, airline and travel websites) as their main source of information about John Wayne Airport.
“Our 2013 survey confirms that passengers continue to count on John Wayne Airport to deliver safe and convenient air travel,” said Alan L. Murphy, Airport Director. “We appreciate the high marks that Orange County residents and visitors have given to JWA and will continue to work with our many airport partners to maintain their confidence and their business.”
To view the survey in its entirety, click here. To learn more about John Wayne Airport, log on to www.ocair.com. |
| |
|
| |
| Candidate Filing Begins for June 2014 Primary Election |
|
 2014 is an election year, and the process to file to run for office is underway.
“Running for office is one of the toughest things I’ve ever done,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “I commend anyone who is willing to put their name on the ballot and takes the slings and arrows that come with being a candidate.”
Candidates obtain paperwork online by clicking here or in person at the Orange County Registrar of Voter’s office at 1300 S. Grand Ave., Building C, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Completed paperwork must be submitted in person to the Registrar.
Under state law, most offices on the June 2014 ballot require a filing fee. Candidates can now obtain the “Signature in Lieu of Filing Fee” forms (also known as “Sigs-in-Lieu”). These are petitions that potential candidates can utilize to lower the filing fee. For each valid signature from a registered voter who is able to vote for the office in question, the fee will be lowered for a candidate, and if a candidate achieves enough signatures, the fee will be waived entirely. These Sigs-in-Lieu are due February 5 for candidates running for Superior Court Judge and February 20 for all other offices on the June ballot.
For more information about candidate filing deadlines for the June 2014 election, click here.
Every voter in Orange County will see at least 19 offices on the June 2014 ballot: statewide offices, Board of Equalization, Representative in Congress, Member of the State Assembly, and Countywide offices. It is currently unknown how many Superior Court Judges will appear on Orange County’s ballot, as unopposed judges do not appear on the ballot. Some voters in the Third Supervisorial District will see State Senate seats on the ballot (the 34th and 36th Senate Districts are on the ballot in 2014; the 29th and 37th Senate Districts will be on the ballot in 2016).
For partisan offices, the top two candidates will advance to the November ballot, even if one of the candidates achieves more than 50% of the vote. For nonpartisan offices, the top two candidates will advance to the November ballot, unless a candidate achieves more than 50% of the vote in June, in which case that candidate will be elected in June.
Below is a list of all offices that will appear on the June 2014 ballot for voters in the Third Supervisorial District.
PARTISAN
Statewide Offices
- Governor – Filing Fee: $3,479.74
- Incumbent Jerry Brown, Democrat
- Lieutenant Governor – Filing Fee: $2,609.80
- Incumbent Gavin Newsom, Democrat
- Secretary of State – Filing Fee: $2,609.80
- Termed Out Incumbent Debra Bowen, Democrat
- Controller – Filing Fee: $2,783.78
- Termed Out Incumbent John Chiang, Democrat
- Treasurer – Filing Fee: $2,783.78
- Termed Out Incumbent Bill Lockyer, Democrat
- Attorney General – Filing Fee: $3,022.54
- Incumbent Kamala Harris, Democrat
- Insurance Commissioner – Filing Fee: $2,783.78
- Incumbent Dave Jones, Democrat
Member, State Board of Equalization – Filing Fee: $1,304.90
- 4th District (includes all of Orange County)
- Termed Out Incumbent Michelle Steel, Republican
Representative in Congress – Filing Fee: $1,740.00
- 39th District (Yorba Linda and portions of Anaheim Hills)
- Incumbent Ed Royce, Republican
- 45th District (Most of the Third Supervisorial District)
- Incumbent John Campbell, Republican
- 46th District (Orange west of the 55 freeway)
- Incumbent Loretta Sanchez, Democrat
State Senate – Filing Fee: $952.91
- 34th District (Orange west of the 57 freeway)
- Termed Out Incumbent Lou Correa, Democrat
- 36th District (portions of the Canyons)
- Termed Out Incumbent Mark Wyland, Republican
Member of the State Assembly – Filing Fee: $952.91
- 55th District (Yorba Linda)
- Termed Out Incumbent Curt Hagman, Republican
- 68th District (Most of the Third Supervisorial District)
- Incumbent Don Wagner, Republican
- 69th District (Orange west of the 57 freeway)
- Incumbent Tom Daly, Democrat
- 73rd District (portions of the Canyons)
- Termed Out Incumbent Diane Harkey, Republican
- 74th District (portions of Irvine)
- Incumbent Allan Mansoor, Republican
NONPARTISAN
Statewide
- Superintendent of Public Instruction – Filing Fee: $3,022.54
Countywide
- Assessor – Filing Fee: $1,731.00
- Incumbent Webster Guillory
- Auditor-Controller – Filing Fee: $1,731.00
- Clerk-Recorder – Filing Fee: $1,395.24
- District Attorney – Filing Fee: $2,079.84
- Incumbent Tony Rackauckas
- Public Administrator – Filing Fee: $324.06
- Sheriff-Coroner – Filing Fee: $2,079.84
- Incumbent Sandra Hutchens
- Superintendent of Schools – Filing Fee: $2,875.00
- Treasurer-Tax Collector – Filing Fee: $1,731.00
- Incumbent Shari Freidenrich
- Judge of the Superior Court – Filing Fee: $1,812.92
To see a complete list of all offices on the June 2014 ballot in all of Orange County, including those that do not include the Third Supervisorial District, click here.
|
| |
|
| |
| Pet of the Week |
|
Click on the image above to view a PDF version.
Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
| |
|
| |
| Events Around the District |
|
Anaheim
Family Storytime
Saturday, January 11, 11:00 AM
Anaheim Public Library, East Anaheim Branch, 8201 Santa Ana Canyon Rd.
Irvine
Can You Dig It? Children’s Gardening Workshop
Sunday, January 12, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Orange County Great Park
Orange
How to Take Better Family Photos
Saturday, January 11, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Orange Public Library & History Center, 407 E. Chapman Ave.
Silverado
Canyon Story Swap with Walking Stick Storytellers Guild
Thursday, January 16, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Canyon Market, 28192 Silverado Canyon Rd.
Tustin
Assess Your Physical Fitness Level
Monday, January 13, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Tustin Area Senior Center, 200 S. C St.
Villa Park
Baby Play and Storytime for Ages 2 Months-15 Months
Monday, January 13, 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Orange County Public Library, Villa Park Branch, 17865 Santiago Blvd.
Yorba Linda
President Nixon’s 101st Birthday Celebration
Saturday, January 11, 1:00 PM
Richard Nixon Library & Museum, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
