| April 25, 2014 |
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Volume 2 Issue 16 |
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| County Budget Process Underway |
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Fiscal Year (FY) 2013-14 began July 1, 2013 and concludes on June 30, 2014. The County Budget Office has begun work on the FY 2014-15 budget.
Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
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The County Budget Office and the Auditor-Controller’s office are currently preparing documents for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014-15 budget. Governor Jerry Brown’s May Revise Budget is expected to be issued on Wednesday, May 7. County budget staff will review the Governor’s budget and make necessary adjustments based on implications for the County budget due to the State budget. On Monday, May 12, the County Budget Office will issue the FY 2014-15 Recommended Budget to the offices of the Board of Supervisors, all the County departments, the news media, and the general public.
“The budget is one of the critical functions of public policy, as the budget is a statement of priorities,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “What areas we fund and at what levels we fund them determine the direction of County government.”
The County Budget Office and representatives of County departments will then brief the staff of the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 22, on the budget. The County Budget Office will provide a public budget preview at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, June 10. The Board of Supervisors will hold public budget hearings beginning at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, June 10, and will continue on Wednesday, June 11 (if the hearings cannot be completed on June 10).
After the County Budget Office makes changes to the budget as a result of the June 10-11 public hearings, the Board of Supervisors will vote on the adoption of the FY 2014-15 budget on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, and the budget will take effect on Tuesday, July 1. |
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| Supervisor Spitzer Joins Yorba Linda in Honoring First Responders |
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce President Kadie Karcher, Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Kris Concepcion, Sarah Wiltfong of Assemblyman Curt Hagman’s Office, David Monroy of Senator Bob Huff’s Office, and Yorba Linda Mayor Craig Young |
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On Wednesday, Supervisor Todd Spitzer joined the Yorba Linda City Council at a breakfast sponsored by the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce. The breakfast was designed to allow business and civic leaders to show their appreciation to a large number of Sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians, who attended the event.
“Public safety is the fundamental purpose of government, and it is my top public policy priority,” Supervisor Spitzer said. “I always appreciate the opportunity to thank the brave men and women on the front lines protecting the citizens of our community.”
The Orange County Fire Authority, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. were all recognized for their service to Yorba Linda. Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Kris Concepcion, Orange County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Bob Wren (who serves as Chief of Police Services for Yorba Linda), and Emergency Ambulance Service Chief Operating Officer Chad Druten spoke on behalf of their organizations’ first responders.
Supervisor Spitzer, Mayor Craig Young, and Councilmembers Tom Lindsey and Mark Schwing were on hand with the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the offices of Senator Bob Huff and Assemblyman Curt Hagman to demonstrate Yorba Linda’s gratitude to the first responders serving the city.
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce President Kadie Karcher, Orange County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Bob Wren, Sarah Wiltfong of Assemblyman Curt Hagman’s Office, David Monroy of Senator Bob Huff’s Office, and Yorba Linda Mayor Craig Young |
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Supervisor Todd Spitzer, Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce President Kadie Karcher, Emergency Ambulance Service Chief Operating Officer Chad Druten, Sarah Wiltfong of Assemblyman Curt Hagman’s Office, David Monroy of Senator Bob Huff’s Office, and Yorba Linda Mayor Craig Young |
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| National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Tomorrow |
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 Tomorrow from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be sponsoring National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The DEA has teamed up with local law enforcement across the country to set up numerous locations in which people can drop off expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs in order to prevent prescription drug abuse or theft. Prescription drugs can be dropped off at no cost, anonymously, and with no questions asked
“Prescription drugs when used properly according to a doctor’s instructions can be a wonderful tool in protecting or improving a person’s health,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “However, used improperly, prescription drugs can be deadly, so I urge all Orange County residents to take advantage of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to dispose of prescription drugs that are no longer needed for medical use.”
There is a national epidemic of prescription drug abuse. The Centers for Disease Control report that deaths from prescription drug abuse have surpassed deaths from illegal drugs and even deaths from car crashes. In Orange County, prescription drug abuse takes a life every two days. In 2012, Orange County had 330 overdose deaths, with 188 deaths (57%) involving prescription drugs, according to the Orange County Coroner.
In last April’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department collected 1,688 pounds of prescription drugs. They collected 1,317 pounds in October’s take back day.
For tomorrow’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the DEA is working with the Anaheim Police Department, the Irvine Police Department, the Orange Police Department, the Tustin Police Department, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to help Third District residents dispose of their unneeded prescription drugs.
There are seven locations in the Third District where prescription drugs can be dropped off tomorrow between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM:
Anaheim
Kaiser Permanente Anaheim Medical Center
3640 E. La Palma Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806
Irvine (Two Locations)
Irvine City Hall
1 Civic Center Pl.
Irvine, CA 92606
Kaiser Permanente Irvine Medical Center
6670 Alton Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92618
Orange (Two Locations)
Orange City Hall
300 E. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92866
CVS Pharmacy
4040 E. Chapman Ave.
Orange, CA 92868
Tustin
Tustin Police Department
300 Centennial Way
Tustin, CA 92780
Yorba Linda
Orange County Sheriff’s Police Substation
20994 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA 92887
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| Third District Resident Sought for OCTA Citizens Advisory Committee |
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 The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) seeks a Third District resident to fill a vacancy on the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC is appointed by the OCTA Board of Directors to find ways to get more public input, be a part of roundtable discussions, and better connect OCTA with the community.
“The Citizens Advisory Committee is an important part of OCTA’s public outreach efforts,” OCTA Director Todd Spitzer said. “I urge all interested residents of the Third District to apply for this vital committee.”
The CAC consists of 34 members who serve two year terms. Applicants should be involved in the community, have a demonstrated interest in transportation issues, and able to participate in at least 20 hours of meetings and activities each year. Applicants must be adult residents of Orange County.
Applications are available here and must be submitted by May 4. The OCTA Board of Directors will appoint the new member in June. For more information, visit www.octa.net/cac or contact Alice Rogan at (714) 560-5577 or arogan@octa.net. |
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| Hugh Nguyen Reforms Clerk-Recorder’s Department in First Year in Office |
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 In April 2013, the Board of Supervisors appointed Hugh Nguyen to serve as Orange County Clerk-Recorder after the previous Clerk-Recorder left to become a member of the California State Assembly. Nguyen was appointed to fill the remainder of his predecessor’s term, and voters will determine who will hold the seat for the next four-year term in the June 3, 2014, Primary Election.
“Hugh Nguyen’s amazing accomplishments demonstrate the difference that one person can make,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “It’s clear to me that when the Board voted on filling this vacancy, we made the right decision in backing Hugh Nguyen for Clerk-Recorder.”
In his year in office, Nguyen focused on improving operations and cutting costs for the Clerk-Recorder’s Department. His accomplishments include:
- Restructuring the department’s senior leadership in order to strengthen efficiency and oversight
- Bringing on additional experience and expertise to the Clerk-Recorder’s purchasing group
- Adding accounting and budgeting experience for the Clerk-Recorder’s financial group
- Strengthening accounting procedures by improving oversight, controls, and documentation requirements
- Improving customer service by opening offices one Saturday per month
- Improving customer service by increasing the weekday business hours of Fullerton and Laguna Hills branch offices
- Coming in half a million dollars under budget in salary and employee benefits costs for FY 2013-14
- Coming in almost a million dollars under budget in services and supplies costs for FY 2013-14
- Creating policies and procedures for department staff to provide better customer service
- Working with the County Internal Audit Department to finalize recommendations from the audit of the Clerk-Recorder’s special revenue funds as managed by the previous Clerk-Recorder
- Recommending the sale of an unnecessary building at 433 Civic Center Drive purchased by the previous Clerk-Recorder
- Starting cost allocation study to ensure Clerk-Recorder’s fees properly match operating costs
“I’m extremely proud of the Department’s progress over the past year, and I want to recognize my team who have worked hard to achieve our goals and objectives,” Clerk-Recorder Nguyen said. “I am committed to continued improvement of our operations and systems while maintaining the safety and accuracy of the records entrusted to the Clerk-Recorder.” |
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| OC Stormwater Program Helps Residents Curb Overwatering |
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Click the video above for a tip for testing your garden for overwatering from the University of California Cooperative Extension. |
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The H2OC initiative has launched a new program called Overwatering is Out to help Orange County residents reduce runoff, cut water use, and have gardens with climate appropriate plants. H2OC is an initiative launched by the Orange County Stormwater Program, which is a partnership of the County of Orange and OC’s 34 cities.
“With the present record-breaking drought, it is critical that all southern Californians cut back on our water use,” Supervisor Todd Spitzer said. “It is both environmentally and fiscally responsible to reduce our own water usage.”
Sprinklers that are broken, inaccurately aimed, or with too much spraying power sometimes spray sidewalks or streets rather than lawns and gardens. Not only does this drive up water bills and waste water, but this also spreads trash and pollution into rivers and the ocean, in addition to inconveniencing people pushing strollers, residents walking dogs, children going to school, senior citizens on a walk, and other pedestrians.
H2OC has teamed up with the Municipal Water District of Orange County, Irvine Ranch Water District and University of California Cooperative Extension to create Orange County Garden Friendly, which urges OC residents to use climate-appropriate and low-water-use plants in yards, gardens, and other outdoor spaces.
Tips and simple steps for keeping sidewalks dry and yards healthy are available at www.overwateringisout.org, where Orange County residents can also subscribe to a monthly email newsletter. |
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| Pet of the Week |
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Click on the image above to view a PDF version.
Click on the image above to view a PDF version. |
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| Events Around the District |
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Anaheim
Book Discussion: Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
Wednesday, April 29, 12:00 PM
Anaheim Public Library – Canyon Hills Branch, 400 Scout Trail
Irvine
High School Art Exhibition and Imagination Celebration Reception
Friday, May 2, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Irvine Fine Arts Center, 14321 Yale Ave.
Orange
Day of the Child/Day of the Book
Wednesday, April 29, 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Orange Public Library & History Center, 407 E. Chapman Ave.
Silverado
Celebrate Cultures in Nature – Walpurgis Night
Thursday, May 1, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park
Tustin
City of Tustin Community Yard Sale
Saturday, April 26, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Tustin Area Senior Center, 200 S. C St.
Villa Park
Women’s League Home Tour
Sunday, April 27, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Villa Park Town Center
Yorba Linda
Lego Mania
Saturday, April 26, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Yorba Linda Public Library, 18181 Imperial Hwy.
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